Most of us have a special place we go to that always makes us feel safe and happy, no matter what is going on in our lives. Somehow it brings us calmness and clarity, helping us to think clearly, and feel at peace. For some it might be a place you go to be alone, for others it might be a place that you go to visit others.
For me, my happy place is always somewhere near water. Ideally, that will be the beach where I can observe and listen to water, and also feel timeless, if that makes any sense? The tide has been ebbing and flowing four times per day since the beginning of time. That kind of puts any problems or worries I have into perspective.
If it is not the beach then rivers, canals, lakes, ponds are all like magnets to me, some of my friends laugh I would be happy sitting besides a puddle and they are probably right. :) At home I sit in my little cottage with the door open when it rains. It is very old (a listed building) and is not allowed to have drainpipes, so rain sounds pretty beautiful when it falls heavy.
Many people I know feel happiest when they are with family and friends. They like the close connection and the unconditional love they feel, and I can truly understand this. Sometimes we don’t see family or friends for many years, yet we start off exactly where we left off.
They are often the people we turn to for support, help, advice, information, or maybe just a hug. Mostly we can be completely open and honest with them, they are the people who have known us the longest. The ones who have witnessed our ups and downs, known our successes and failures, our gains and our losses.
Also read, I Get by with a Little Help from My Friends.
Art, in all its forms, can be a great sense of joy and comfort. It may include listening to music, poetry, painting, writing. It could be enjoying stunning architecture, going to the theatre or ballet, spending hours in galleries or museums. All of these seem to fill my soul and whenever I feel depleted these are the things I do, or places I visit.
Architecture, particularly ancient, not only brings me pleasure but again, makes me realise the insignificance of most of the things I worry about. I often drive past Stonehenge in England, which was built 5000 years ago. I love to allow my mind to wander, considering who first proposed it, the thousands of people who must have helped construct it over centuries… and how on earth those huge stones got there!
So where is your happy place? Would you be with family and friends, eating at your favourite restaurant, maybe having fun with a huge splurge shopping? Do you love history and architecture or is your happy place somewhere far away from where you live? Perhaps you love to sing your heart out at your favourite concert, or just stay snug and cosy in your own home.
I have never been a runner but know some of my fitness friends say it is the place they are the happiest, always seems a bit painful to me :). I think they love the ‘me’ time of it, where they are not expected to answer phone calls or check emails. A time they can really be on their own doing something they love.
If you could choose where to be and what to do on your last day on earth, what would it be? For me it will definitely be watching the sun go down on my favourite beach, cooking a nice BBQ and sipping a glass of something cool and fizzy. Ideally with all my family and friends, an old castle as a backdrop and Santana playing… but I guess I can’t have it all :)
Where is your happy place? How often do you visit it? What would you last day on earth (ideally) consist of?
Tags Finding Happiness
My happy place is a pizza parlour I went to as a teenager where I sat and giggled with friends. At another table was my future husband enjoying time his friends – I had no idea he would be in my life for the next 50+ years! When we dated and as a young married couple, we went there often. After our son was born, we continued our dates there and celebrated family occasions (nice report card – let’s go for pizza!). Our special place is still there, and although we are now divorced and my ex lives many miles away and our son has a nice life In another country with his own little family, I still enjoy the comfort and happy memories of a place that always and still fills me with joy when I want a lift!
Hi Ann Mary, Thanks for joining the conversation.What a lovely story, a real sliding doors moment for you :) Lily x
I have 2 happy places..my porch and the beach. From Spring to Fall, I start my day on my porch which overlooks my garden. It makes me feel good to see what I planted come to life, Rose’s, hydrangeas, geraniums!…It’s also a nice place to end the day with friends, wine and conversation. I also love “breakfast on the beach” from April to June! I can be on the beach by 9 am or earlier…spend a couple hours just watching seagulls, children splashing in the water…or read a book…with coffee and snack! It’s the best!!!
Hi Dottie, thanks for joining the conversation. I want your life :) It sounds truly wonderful and I am not surprised you love them both! Lily x
My happy place is when I’m out walking, I love our glorious countryside and I loved it even more when we had lock down the air was clean, you could hear the birds sing and there was no one else about (I’m a loner I like it when it’s just me the birds,bees and the animals)
Hi Poly, thanks for joining the conversation. Your happy place sounds lovely :) I try to walk 3 or 4 times a week, especially if it is raining. I love the sound and the aromas it brings! Lily x
In the mountains surrounded by beautiful waters and tall pines.
Hi Dianne, thanks for joining the conversation. I am just picturing it now:) x
My happy place is my home! My husband and I have worked hard to make it warm and comfortable and full of things that bring us joy! Plenty of comfortable places to sit and enjoy a cup of tea and good book and a garden that feeds my soul and family too! The beach really is my happy place, but the nearest one is almost 4 hours away. So I’ve learned to enjoy my home and backyard as my own personal retreat when I can get to the beach!
Hi Lisa, thanks for joining the conversation. Your home sounds beautiful and I am not surprised it feeds my soul :) Lily x