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.
It really depends. Sometimes it's drumming, sometimes going on an outing and doing car karaoke on the way, and sometimes I can't find anything that helps and just have to wait for unhappiness to subside.
Cuddling with my partner in bed. Especially early in the morning, when I give myself an extra half hour to just stay close together for a little while longer.
Unfortunately as far as work goes, two of the things that make me most unhappy: driving, traffic, are tied to the job of fixing things for people so I quit that job :/
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.
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.
I saw a couple cars over the past few days that were part of a supposedly DMV-randomized license plate series beginning "8WAY ..." Making me picture an 8-person orgy. Anyway isn't the DMV supposed to reject any randomized automatically generated series that contain any real pronounceable words?
Lots of things. Working on a project, reading a good book, a nice meal, vibing in nature, pleasant exercise. There's a lot of suffering in the world, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy everyday things.
Being loved and respected by the people in my life.
I found it by reflecting on the things that truly gave me fulfillment in life. Once you strip away the noise the only thing is left is the people in your life.
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 can't understand people who want to do nothing. As in, sit there passively and watch a screen and/or drink and complain about their life. I feel like a lot of people do this and it is why they are miserable and unhappy. At least that's how it comes across to me. I only ever want to do that if I'm exhausted, injured, or sick. In fact I most of the last month watching TV because I was injured, and then very ill for about a total of 3 weeks. It was super depressing/miserable, I also was so weak I had to get delivery of meals/groceries. Blows my mind that many people I meet want to be like that 24/7, like I went on a date two weeks ago with a lady and she said 3 weeks sitting around doing nothing sounded blissful to her... I was going absolutely insane.
I find it hard to make friends because I want to do things and most people... don't. Most of my friends are very active people, but it feels like the vast majority of socialization among people is just complaining and drinking. My Thanksgiving holiday was 3 days of listening to people complain, watch sports, and drink.
When at work: accomplished projects, staying in schedule. Having a good team and laughs during the day.
In general: I'd love to do nothing sometimes. I work multiple jobs and sit in multiple boards and have always been working almost around the clock. Never had a two week holiday after the university.
But walking the dogs, waking up after 10 and brewing a good cup of coffee. Its never been the money, as long as we cover the bare necessities.
Watching my kids grow every day more responsible and thoughtful. Being at home (I travel for work at least a week a month). Waking up in a good hotel somewhere exotic and just having a full day to myself.
A lot of things. And good memes. Sadly the internet's memegame's been weak since the covid, I feel.
I had anhedony, and fought out of it for my partner..just to find out that, as long as I am not depressove, most stuff make me happy. Learning, improving, playing, frolicking, walking, biking, skating, programming...
Just need to be in a right mood. Sometimes, the most happy I can be is by just sitting, cup of hot cocoa in hands, watching some video with my partner. Just a bliss.
You can tie happiness to the things you like, but I feel this kind of happiness has become very fleeting for me. I feel happy one moment and then feel the sadness coming back. I think this has to do with the fact that, in my head, I feel I'm behind in my life and been stuck without any breakthroughs that I find my peers are getting.
Yeah, I like watching sports and anime. Used to like playing video games but not anymore.
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 moved from the equator to an area it snows occasionally. I used to use 3 electric space heaters to keep my place habitable. This year, one and it's comfortable.
72 Comments
Perspectivist@feddit.uk · 26 pts · 248d
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.
1984@lemmy.today · 4 pts · 248d
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.
portnull@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 248d
Anhedonia perhaps?
I_Fart_Glitter@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 248d
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.
kelpie_returns@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 247d
I_Fart_Glitter@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 245d
His wife:
EtnaAtsume@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 247d
I_Fart_Glitter@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 247d
Love herons!
Ouchie1@lemmy.world · 13 pts · 248d
Dopamine mostly
neidu3@sh.itjust.works · 12 pts · 248d
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
DeuxChevaux@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 248d
Walking my dog in a winter forest.
remon@ani.social · 11 pts · 248d
Cheese.
possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 248d
A simple man I see
Truscape@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 248d
"Sometimes, I dream about cheese..."
remon@ani.social · 3 pts · 248d
Sometimes you got to say, "Please"
Sometimes you got to say, "Hey"
toomanypancakes@piefed.world · 10 pts · 248d
It really depends. Sometimes it's drumming, sometimes going on an outing and doing car karaoke on the way, and sometimes I can't find anything that helps and just have to wait for unhappiness to subside.
alk@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 10 pts · 248d
Video games.
Kolanaki@pawb.social · 9 pts · 247d
Someone else's genitals on my face.
Quilotoa@lemmy.ca · 8 pts · 248d
Making music
thelsim@sh.itjust.works · 8 pts · 248d
Cuddling with my partner in bed. Especially early in the morning, when I give myself an extra half hour to just stay close together for a little while longer.
Asafum@feddit.nl · 8 pts · 248d
Fixing things. Mostly if it's for someone else.
Unfortunately as far as work goes, two of the things that make me most unhappy: driving, traffic, are tied to the job of fixing things for people so I quit that job :/
Truscape@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 248d
Damn. I usually got around that by having people send things to me to fix at my workbench, and then I mail them back.
Rhoeri@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 248d
I’d say probably dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin.
DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 248d
Unless you trauma-bonded with an abuser
Rhoeri@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 248d
You know it’s a naturally produced hormone, right?
DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 248d
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)
Rhoeri@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 248d
Apologies if this stirred up some shit.
themaninblack@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 247d
Interestingly, oxytocin also augments in-group bias
Rhoeri@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 247d
There’s certainly a lot of that around here!
UltraGiGaGigantic@lemmy.ml · 7 pts · 247d
Substance abuse and PC gaming
Cassa@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 6 pts · 248d
my cat, my friends, FOG!, snow in the morning, a good cuppa coffee...
mostly it's having a nice moment to enjoy anything rly 😅
Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 247d
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.
ManixT@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 246d
I'm glad people like you exist. You're making the world a better place
HollowV@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 246d
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.
lime@feddit.nl · 5 pts · 248d
mrdown@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 248d
Music
Food
Watching dogs
Running
Play with my nieces
andra17@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 247d
Quazatron@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 248d
Stargate SG1, a beer, some nachos and nobody else home.
nett_hier@feddit.org · 4 pts · 248d
Patterns in licenseplates For example this one:
Truscape@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 248d
I plan on getting TF2ENGR on mine some day
LemmyKnowsBest@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 248d
I saw a couple cars over the past few days that were part of a supposedly DMV-randomized license plate series beginning "8WAY ..." Making me picture an 8-person orgy. Anyway isn't the DMV supposed to reject any randomized automatically generated series that contain any real pronounceable words?
agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 248d
Lots of things. Working on a project, reading a good book, a nice meal, vibing in nature, pleasant exercise. There's a lot of suffering in the world, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy everyday things.
spittingimage@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 248d
Taking a drive when it's sunny and traffic is light.
Cooking from a new recipe and having it come out good.
Sliding into bed on new sheet night.
Lag@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 247d
You could do all 3 at the same time in a camper van.
Kolanaki@pawb.social · 3 pts · 247d
I sure hope I never encounter you on the road while you're sleep cooking in your camper van.
Truscape@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 4 pts · 248d
Knowing that maybe I brightened someone's day on the internet :)
Lag@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 247d
Thanks. Even with a dark theme, your comment increased the brightness.
Speiser0@feddit.org · 3 pts · 248d
cats
NOT_RICK@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 248d
Mostly spilling blood for the blood god. I dabble in collecting skulls for the skull throne as well when they’re in season.
xylogx@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 248d
Being loved and respected by the people in my life.
I found it by reflecting on the things that truly gave me fulfillment in life. Once you strip away the noise the only thing is left is the people in your life.
GrayBackgroundMusic@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 247d
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.
TubularTittyFrog@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 247d
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.
GrayBackgroundMusic@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 247d
I meant the nurses.
TubularTittyFrog@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 246d
they are paid to be nice to you.
stay in a hotel and you'll get the same treatment
GrayBackgroundMusic@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 246d
I'll take what I can get.
Postmortal_Pop@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 248d
tangled_cable@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 247d
Nature, the sea. dogs, cats, some family. Some friends. That eureka moment when you grasp a new concept, that's my drug of choice.
Strider@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 247d
Peace and harmony.
Not in the hippie way, but just calm and mostly quiet, no chaos.
Yeah the world isn't for me.
TubularTittyFrog@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 248d
Doing stuff. Exercise, learning, projects, etc.
I can't understand people who want to do nothing. As in, sit there passively and watch a screen and/or drink and complain about their life. I feel like a lot of people do this and it is why they are miserable and unhappy. At least that's how it comes across to me. I only ever want to do that if I'm exhausted, injured, or sick. In fact I most of the last month watching TV because I was injured, and then very ill for about a total of 3 weeks. It was super depressing/miserable, I also was so weak I had to get delivery of meals/groceries. Blows my mind that many people I meet want to be like that 24/7, like I went on a date two weeks ago with a lady and she said 3 weeks sitting around doing nothing sounded blissful to her... I was going absolutely insane.
I find it hard to make friends because I want to do things and most people... don't. Most of my friends are very active people, but it feels like the vast majority of socialization among people is just complaining and drinking. My Thanksgiving holiday was 3 days of listening to people complain, watch sports, and drink.
twotonebax@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 248d
Being able to paint when I have time and can be alone
FreshParsnip@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 248d
My nephew
picnic@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 248d
When at work: accomplished projects, staying in schedule. Having a good team and laughs during the day.
In general: I'd love to do nothing sometimes. I work multiple jobs and sit in multiple boards and have always been working almost around the clock. Never had a two week holiday after the university.
But walking the dogs, waking up after 10 and brewing a good cup of coffee. Its never been the money, as long as we cover the bare necessities.
Watching my kids grow every day more responsible and thoughtful. Being at home (I travel for work at least a week a month). Waking up in a good hotel somewhere exotic and just having a full day to myself.
A lot of things. And good memes. Sadly the internet's memegame's been weak since the covid, I feel.
Demdaru@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 248d
I had anhedony, and fought out of it for my partner..just to find out that, as long as I am not depressove, most stuff make me happy. Learning, improving, playing, frolicking, walking, biking, skating, programming...
Just need to be in a right mood. Sometimes, the most happy I can be is by just sitting, cup of hot cocoa in hands, watching some video with my partner. Just a bliss.
Tywele@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 248d
My family (this includes my cat), my friends, estrogen, foggy weather.
mybuttnolie@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 248d
master baiting
ReiRose@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 248d
Caterpillers
darkishgrey@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 248d
Writing with my friends, learning languages, and catching new hyperfixations.
Lileath@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 247d
Mostly spending time with my boyfriend. My life currently revolves mostly around the weekends because that is the time we can meet more often.
zerozaku@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 247d
You can tie happiness to the things you like, but I feel this kind of happiness has become very fleeting for me. I feel happy one moment and then feel the sadness coming back. I think this has to do with the fact that, in my head, I feel I'm behind in my life and been stuck without any breakthroughs that I find my peers are getting.
Yeah, I like watching sports and anime. Used to like playing video games but not anymore.
kelpie_returns@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 247d
chonomaiwokurae@sopuli.xyz · 1 pts · 247d
Having a few beers and cooking on a Saturday afternoon.
NastyNative@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 247d
Sex
Eddbopkins@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 247d
Not waking up before 730am.
HollowV@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 246d
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.
YiddishMcSquidish@lemmy.today · 1 pts · 247d
I moved from the equator to an area it snows occasionally. I used to use 3 electric space heaters to keep my place habitable. This year, one and it's comfortable.
KawaiiBitch@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 248d
Someone I can trust