Being single makes me happy. I used to want a bf because of loneliness but after my 1st relationship, it traumatized the hell out of me. 2 and a half years of crying myself to sleep. Never fucking again. It made me scared to date people because I don’t want to feel that much pain ever again. Also seeing and growing up with parents with a unhealthy relationship made me wanna reconsider if I wanna find a bf and get married.
I so much calmer, happier, and more content than ever. I proved to myself that I can rise above the hell I survived and be okay by myself. I was able to find new friends, develop new hobbies, learn a lot about myself and the world. I like being single; no one is cheating on you, no stress, no drama about a partner. I am at peace.
I never thought I’d say this, but going to work actually makes me happy. I work with autistic and disabled children, and man, they give me life. Helping them learn and grow, seeing them pick up and apply new skills, hearing their unique observations, and witnessing their creativity all bring joy to my day.
I’m currently waiting for my first learner of the day to arrive, and I know that when he gets here he’ll be making the most joyful squeals as he plays with his favorite ball. His smile is like caffeine mixed with sunshine, energizing me every morning even on the hardest days.
Don’t get me wrong, this job has its challenges, but the fulfillment I get from working with this population is immeasurable. It took many years of crappy jobs with crappy management before I got here, and I’m glad to say I think I finally found the job where I belong.
I’m glad people like you exist. You’re making the world a better place
Oh, thank you for this interesting perspective! It’s kind of rare for me to hear people to say that they like their jobs because many of them despise what they do because (most of the time) of unfair compensation and unfulfillment in life. Also because negativity shows up more often on social media.
Someone giving a crap about me and taking care of me. I take care of everyone and everything in my family and work. I had a short stay in the hospital for a surgery. Ironically, even with recovering from surgery, it remains one of my happiest memories because everyone took care of me.
must be nice. never had that experience. been hospitalized a few times and nobody showed up, not even family. they just called and told me i was a selfish jerk for getting sick/hurt.
I meant the nurses.
they are paid to be nice to you.
stay in a hotel and you’ll get the same treatment
I’ll take what I can get.
This is so specific but I love permissive licenses for software and other things.
Substance abuse and PC gaming
Someone else’s genitals on my face.
I genuinely don’t know. I only know what makes me momentarily forget about the lack of happines but I don’t think that’s the same thing.
I would normally say thats strange, but after covid, I can only say its normal.
I want to go back to the 1990s but have to be here in 2025.
Anhedonia perhaps?
Bird photography. I’m a person who tends toward depression. It was honestly very surprising the first time I noticed that when I’m photographing birds I have a huge smile on my face the whole time.
I’ve been learning the ins and outs of my camera gear for the last year and making small improvements is really satisfying. But really it’s just being out in nature, looking at adorable birds and capturing those moments for later.
Love herons!
Very cool way to address depression, but I am getting a “me and the wife noticed you from across the bar” kinda vibe off this bird ngl
I’d say probably dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin.
oxytocin
Unless you trauma-bonded with an abuser
You know it’s a naturally produced hormone, right?
Yes, very natural.
Natural for mothers to yell at their kids, tell them they’re worthless, then next day go “I love you”.
(sorry I’m not in a good mood, anger isn’t directed at you)
Apologies if this stirred up some shit.
Interestingly, oxytocin also augments in-group bias
There’s certainly a lot of that around here!
Dopamine mostly
Sex
Walking my dog in a winter forest.
Tinkering/assembling stuff and see it come to life. Bonus points if it’s something my kids can join in on.
Other contenders: (good) food, music, weather
Mostly spending time with my boyfriend. My life currently revolves mostly around the weekends because that is the time we can meet more often.
Cheese.
A simple man I see
“Sometimes, I dream about cheese…”
Sometimes you got to say, “Please”
Sometimes you got to say, “Hey”
