Ask Lemmy

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.

Walking my dog in a winter forest.

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.

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Video games.

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

Cheese.

Dopamine mostly

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.

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 :/

Making music

I’d say probably dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin.

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.

Spending time with my favorite people, helping others, finishing goals I set for myself, being outdoors, and listening to music are the big ones.

Then there are smaller everyday things like autumn and winter weather, good food and beverages, good books and films, putting effort into looking nice, and so on.

How about you, OP?

my cat, my friends, FOG!, snow in the morning, a good cuppa coffee...

mostly it's having a nice moment to enjoy anything rly 😅

Knowing that maybe I brightened someone's day on the internet :)

Music
Food
Watching dogs
Running
Play with my nieces

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.

Stargate SG1, a beer, some nachos and nobody else home.

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.

Patterns in licenseplates For example this one:

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cats

Mostly spilling blood for the blood god. I dabble in collecting skulls for the skull throne as well when they’re in season.

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.

Caterpillers

My family (this includes my cat), my friends, estrogen, foggy weather.

master baiting

My nephew

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.

Being able to paint when I have time and can be alone

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.

Writing with my friends, learning languages, and catching new hyperfixations.

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.

Someone else's genitals on my face.

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.

Someone I can trust