Being Happy

Today is International Day of Happiness 2025.

Finland remains the happiest country in the world according to the annual survey. The UK is 23rd.

But what one thing makes you happiest in life?

For me it’s sunshine, as I suffer badly from SAD.

 

For me it's time out/time off.

Yes I do work Monday-Friday 9-5, but 4 days a week are at home, my wife works in an office so I do the cooking and school runs (not a major thing now); weekends are busy cleaning, clubs, football, etc.

So what I like more than anything, is to have some peace and quiet and waste a day or so. Usually I take annual leave for a purpose (holiday, uni run, MOT day) but between Christmas and New Year I do take days to do NOTHING. Best of all though are when we are abroad, and I can sit poolside with a book, crossword and a beer and let the day go by.

 

Me time. Might be a bit selfish but I love just being on my own for an hour or two. In the pub or just sitting in the garden with a beer and a book. I love spending time with my kids watching them play sport as well but just that little bit of me time I feel is very important

 

I'm off to Finland in May - I'll soon bring them down a notch or two.

 

Spending time with Mrs TuT & friends, esp those I've not seen for a while. My closest 5 friends have been friends since I was aged 11-18.
Seeing and photographing wildlife/birds that I've not seen before.
My life is really good and I'm really lucky and the injustice of not seeing my children for 18 years doesn't seem to bother me, I've made peace with that. Life's too short.

 

My girlfriend is probably the main source of happiness in my life. I spoke about the breakdown of my previous relationship on here and it's safe to say it wasn't a very good relationship towards the end, but it's different now. She is way more mature, sensible and easy to communicate with and much like @SkylaRose's lovely words about her partner any little bickers tend to dissipate within a few hours or the next morning.

As well as this, music is really important. Watching live music always makes me feel great.

 

The bad relationships make you properly appreciate the good ones ! We said it would all work out for the best .

 

Having a massive poo when you're desperate.

 

Looking down and seeing you've cleared the water line by a good 4 inches. You know you're gonna have a good day.

 

May as well close the thread now.

 

My partner makes me happy, but more in a general sense, I enjoy being with her and we have fun, but in terms of specific things.

An earned pint, after work on a Friday, or one at home on a Friday evening, or at an airport, or after a long walk to a pub.

A hungover Sunday, getting a nice takeaway and finding something engrossing to watch for the day knowing you haven’t got to do anything.

My dogs, they regularly do things to make me laugh.

Glastonbury is definitely my happy place, the anticipation of going, and the sheer opportunity in front of you once you get there is unparalleled for me.

That moment when you’re on holiday that it all sinks in, that you’re actually away from normal life and somewhere exciting.

 

I love rain. The sound, the freshness. When it rains I can just sit either under cover outside, or near an open window and just take it all in and let the mind reset.

And on the flipside realising it's going to be a fantastic day of sunshine and the BBQ will be out.

The other 300 moderate days less so!

 

Fishing is my way to unwind.

The Mrs let me come and go as I want, she knows I am loyal and that helps a lot too.

Every now and again it's good to treat yourself to something too.

 

For me I think this is one of the most fundamental keys to happiness. Rightly or wrongly I find it hard to find too much joy during the working week, I’m just kind of going through the motions and biding my time until I can mentally clock off on Friday.

My situation is slightly different as I don’t have kids, so when it gets to the weekend I can truly switch off (unless we have certain plans).

I think whether it’s a Friday after work with a weekend ahead of you, Xmas holidays, or the start or middle of a holiday, simply having time ahead of you that is completely your own is about as happy as you can get.

 

Happiness comes from within. Don’t have regrets, don’t have envy and don’t think about what you haven’t got but concentrate on what you do have

easier said then done for many though

 

All these men whose wives and girlfriends make them happy - that's very gay.

What happened to the 'er indoors' days? My wife wears curlers in her hair and carries a rolling pin all day to berate and physically beat me. We're a proper couple.

Not like this woke, mutual love bollox

 

I wish I wasn’t so influenced by the weather, but on cloudy days I find it hard to function. Yesterday was just the best day, warm and sunny all day, it gives me energy and motivation and a feeling that I can achieve anything. Worst days for me actually are days where we are promised sun in the forecast but it never comes grrr. I actually find winters slightly easier to negotiate, thanks to my SAD lamp and lots of vitamin D supplements plus a lower expectation of getting much sun. But cloudy days in summer omg, particularly when they weren’t forecast. A nightmare.

oh @wfcmoog Can I add 9.31am each Monday to Friday to my list?

 

Comparison is the thief of joy, as they say.

 

It makes a difference to everyone - yesterday was just noticeable how much happier and optimistic people were.

But of course, for some people it's really hampers their ability to function. Presume you've looked into SAD lamps etc?

 

I don't think it's a problem for a woman to like a woman, but for a man to actively seek to add femininity into his life? Defo gay. No true Alpha male would do such a thing.

 

Freedom. Like you, I love having the family around but when I get a weekend to myself it's bl**dy heaven. Last time I had a weekend free I decided on a whim to go and watch a very low level non-league team that I follow on youtube, about 2 hours public transport ride away, in an area I've never been. Hopefully only a few years until I can retire then I'll be off somewhere new a couple of times a week.

 

Last year my youngest started secondary school so my wife and I managed to have a couple of days away to ourselves in North Wales while the younger one was ay PGL, my older son was studying for his A-Levels; it was the first time we'd been away together for nearly 20 years. We also individually went away somewhere with friends, that was nice; she went to Madrid in the spring and I went to North Macedonia in the autumn.

 

Thank you everybody who has posted on this thread so far. It’s nice to read all the replies.

I also find it refreshing to see how many of us don’t need huge things to make us feel happy as we get older. It’s often the simple pleasures eh.

 

Watford winning a cup. Nothing less.

 

Agree. I have absolutely no issue with men loving men, or men ramming other men in any which orifice they wish. Sex and gender are irrelevant to love.

But genuinely prefering spending an evening with your wife over being with other lads - way too gay.

 

When you've had terrible guts for 48 hours (as I have) being able to fart with confidence once again is a beautiful feeling

 

I love finishing work early with my mates, so we can leave at 4, and knock back beers in the sun.

Some people get a sense of accomplishment from delivering at work, or ambition, or riches.

But for me, working with people you are genuinely friends with and can completely let loose with is far more important, especially given you probably spend more time with them in the week than with your partner.

Also, sun transforms London. It’s genuinely one of the best cities in the world when it’s sunny.

 

Not following SE Dons are ya Diamond??

 

Yes that's them, had a very nice afternoon out. Unfortunately they played like Watford.

 

Absolutely cracking thunder storm been going on right above us for ages now, got the back door open as it’s covered above to enjoy it.

 

I'm only happy when I have something to moan about.