Are you happy?

[Capri]

Simple question that may be easy or difficult to answer. 

Are you happy? 

Feel free to answer how you like, a quick yes/no or as detailed as you want to share.

However anyone replies let's not judge.  

[beanbean]

Its always going to be a work in progress for me

[WolfMoon2024]

Not really... Relocating far from home and my friends is difficult when you don't know anybody local just yet. When you have loneliness thought loops, it can be difficult to break. I've been looking into local clubs and activities as it's another month and a half before I start my new job to get out the house and hopefully form new connections without relying on my future colleagues for socialising.

[MissNMTX]

Personally, I don't believe happiness just naturally occurs. I believe it's a choice you have to choose to make. We all have something we could complain about if we chose to... weather, finances, chores, body image, just about anything really. The flip side of that is always a blessing though. It may be hot, but there are mountains and blue skies. I may have chores, but that means I'm not homeless. How you look at any situation is always a choice.

[elusive.effie]

Not yet, but I'm working towards it. I think it's something that I'll always be working towards, but recently I feel a sense of hope for the future that I haven't had before.

What about you, Capri? Are you happy? 🤗

[Barney048]

I'm not REALLY happy. I'm a greedy and overly ambitious person. My kind is probably never fulfilled. I envy those that can be happy and content with the simple pleasures in life.

When I see some of my friends that work a dead end 9 to 5 job and have a family at home + are happy living like that... I honestly envy them. 

[Huggybear]

Previous poster reminds me of the American businessman meets the Mexican fisherman story :).

I agree on some degree that we choose to be happy. What we focus on, how we deal with situations, how we solve our problems and how many problems we choose to inherit.

I consider myself happy. I havent reached all my goals in life yet, but I have every tool I need to reach them eventually. I have a home, I make enough money to pay my bills and eat well and I have enough free time to sometimes know what to do with. My calendar is empty whenever it needs to be and my mind is at peace.

But then again, im Finnish. I guess happiness is in our blood or smthing.

[Cebakes]

I’m happy and lucky to live a pretty good life. It took a number of years and there were some unexpected twists and turns over the years. The thing that makes me the happiest is that my four kids are all settled and enjoying good lives. That took a while as well… lol   My parents are 98 and 96 and live nearby in a local retirement community. Hopefully I’ll have them for several more years.  That”s a real nice thing. 
 

I have no financial worries, I’m in good health, and live a drama and carefree life.  Presently I’m single and have been very selective with people that I’ve met and dated over the past year.   I do have one Special friend….

would tell people never to give up your pursuit of happiness.

[Gentleman_Daddy]

I was, and then I wasn't but I will be again!

Basically, I am on hold at the moment due to commitments but plans are already in place when I am finally released to do my own thing again and to be frank, I can't wait!

[Lonely Dad]

Happiness is a journey imo

[Guest Divinitus]

Yes i'm, and most of it is due to my gf/little  

[Maeevee]

24 minutes ago, Divinitus said:

Yes i'm, and most of it is due to my gf/little  

i am too because of my bf/daddy :))

Edited August 17, 2024 by Maeevee

[LeftyGuitar]

For me, its usually a back and forth type of a thing.

[Princ3ss-Baby-Bear]

For me being happy is overrated, it’s just way easier to exists and be content with the going ons in my life, from experience being happy only brings pain because something comes along and ruins it

[DaddysMonkey]

4 hours ago, Gentleman_Daddy said:

I was, and then I wasn't but I will be again!

Basically, I am on hold at the moment due to commitments but plans are already in place when I am finally released to do my own thing again and to be frank, I can't wait!

This makes it sound like you’re in prison 0-0 Had to pick on you a bit heh sorry ! 
 

I struggle with anxiety and depression , so I would say I have days where I am not happy to begin with.. I am however a firm believer in having power over yourself. I fail some days at pushing through depression and anxiety - but those days are the ones I am thankful for sometimes. They mean I am human and I have raw emotions , I am not a robot that only feels one thing. I don’t think it’s a cut and dry answer for most people - I push through rough patches and “force” myself to see the bright side on darker days. In my opinion , you are otherwise wasting precious time and energy on wallowing instead of putting that energy towards making yourself feel better or a better person because of whatever unhappiness and uncomfortable feelings you have. 
 

Instead of outright saying  “I am happy” or “I am not happy” , I will say : 

“I am grateful , and that is enough for me.” 

Edited August 18, 2024 by DaddysMonkey

[beanbean]

Thing about happiness is you got to accept yourself and not let anyone define you I have struggled with depression my whole life but did realize you got to accept yourself as you are .so I think I am doing much better now at being happy 

[Capri]

Thank you all for your honest answers! It's really insightful to read. 😊

[Capri]

11 hours ago, elusive.effie said:

What about you, Capri? Are you happy? 🤗

Aa thanks for asking me too! 🫣

I have been wondering that myself.  Dealing with depression and anxiety I always think, "I just want to be happy." but what does it really mean to be a happy person? 🤔 

Like others said it's impossible to only be in one emotional state. I think lately I am happier than I was in the past! Maybe not happy as a state of being but embracing the feeling more often.  I am grateful. 💕

[dldaddysprincess]

Meh...I've got good days and bad days but there's more good than bad. Even with all the negativity in my life...I for the most part could be happy? 

[Gentleman_Daddy]

6 hours ago, DaddysMonkey said:

This makes it sound like you’re in prison 0-0 Had to pick on you a bit heh sorry ! 

I have care responsibilities that prevent me from returning to life overseas, I am more like the jailer than the inmate lol

But I mean on a day to day basis I wouldn't say I am unhappy, I suppose if you say you're not happy it sort of implies you're feeling miserable doesn't it? I would prefer to say I could be happier

I can say I am content for the time being and waiting for circumstances to change so I can make additional improvements! I don't "need" something or someone to feel happy

[KuromiKay]

Hm, happy... as someone who spent many years struggling with depression and anxiety, I had trouble with that word. It felt out of my control. Elusive. Abstract, like air. Happiness? How do I catch that? How do I wake up in the morning with that?

So I eventually reframed it, and started to ask myself if I was 'satisfied'...as in, am I satisfied with the choices I made today? How I spent my time? Who I chose to be around? For me, that word had always been directly connected to actions, to choices (even if it was just choosing to try and see things from a different perspective). Asking myself if I was satisfied allowed me to put the power back in my hands. It was the result of something I did, not something I happened to be feeling. 

Am I satisfied now? In some categories of my life, yes. In others, well...I have some different choices to make. 

But the power is always in my hands. 

....or something, I dunno. Feels like I just typed out a script for a Ted talk. 

[Huggybear]

22 hours ago, DaddysMonkey said:

This makes it sound like you’re in prison 0-0 Had to pick on you a bit heh sorry ! 
 

I struggle with anxiety and depression , so I would say I have days where I am not happy to begin with.. I am however a firm believer in having power over yourself. I fail some days at pushing through depression and anxiety - but those days are the ones I am thankful for sometimes. They mean I am human and I have raw emotions , I am not a robot that only feels one thing. I don’t think it’s a cut and dry answer for most people - I push through rough patches and “force” myself to see the bright side on darker days. In my opinion , you are otherwise wasting precious time and energy on wallowing instead of putting that energy towards making yourself feel better or a better person because of whatever unhappiness and uncomfortable feelings you have. 
 

Instead of outright saying  “I am happy” or “I am not happy” , I will say : 

“I am grateful , and that is enough for me.” 

This was heartwarming, trying to find some love in all emotions. Happiness not being only happy days, but also the ability to regognize that even sad and tough ones add colors to the rainbow of life. Enjoying it as a whole and being grateful that its so vibrant. Great post :)!

[Wafflechunks]

NOT ANYMORE NOW THAT IM THINKING ABOUT IT!
 

Just messing with ya. In truth I don’t think so. For over a decade now it’s been just going through the movements for me. Go to school, go home, Xbox cause there’s nothing else to do, sleep, repeat. Day to day I do feel a bit happy, like I’m putting on a happy face that fools myself. But if I ever really sit down and think about it, then I don’t think so.

[Andriel_Isilien]

The past few years I made my depression and anxiety the highest priority. I re-evaluated who I keep in my circle that were not safe for me. I needed to take a look at what my values and needs are. I wanted to love life again despite not having much hope for the future, lots of regret, and struggling to appreciate where I am at currently. Joining this community has really helped me with that. I can say that I have come a long way. I'm not on top of the world thriving. I am quietly doing my own thing and content. I have learned to let go of what doesn't serve me, to be kinder to myself, and stop giving a damn if I disappoint someone for having a boundary. Bad seasons still happen but this time, I find myself wanting to stay alive more.  Working with animals has brought me A LOT of happiness.

[ErickWcurls]

No , I've been very unhappy.  There are small moments but no.  Pretty much for more than two years I wish I'd never woken up.  Today was a good day but last night was really tough.