• Question: what is happiness?

    Asked by Rhys M to Ed, Kerrianne, Nina, Oli, yoyehudi on 6 Nov 2017.
    • Photo: Kerrianne Harrington

      Kerrianne Harrington answered on 6 Nov 2017:

      For me, it’s a spool of good, working optical fibre after a day making it in the fibre tower 🙂

      Also video games with friends.

    • Photo: Yo Yehudi

      Yo Yehudi answered on 6 Nov 2017:

      For me, happiness is generally being able to do what I like and not stress too much about people I care about or things I’m doing. In more specific terms, it probably means a nice day at work where I feel like I got stuff done, going for a bike ride in the evening sun (it’s a balmy 20 degree summer evening, obvs), and then enjoy some garlicky pasta or something else yummy while chilling with my husband and some cats on my lap. Bliss!

    • Photo: Nina Jordan

      Nina Jordan answered on 6 Nov 2017:

      I would say being content with what and where you are. Not needing anyone or anything else. Resting inside yourself. Sounds cheesy, I know! But think about it, most of us constantly try to follow the latest craze or fashion or fad. Why? Does it make you happy? Or do you feel low afterward, needing another fix very soon? If you can learn to rely on yourself (plus possibly your friends/family), and not needing ‘things’, you are more likely to find happiness.

    • Photo: Oli Wilson

      Oli Wilson answered on 6 Nov 2017:

      Having read everyone else’s answers I feel like a terrible person for trying to come up with an answer all about dopamine, serotonin and other brain chemicals!
      I’m happy when I’m at peace – sometimes that’ll be an evening on the sofa watching tv with my wife, other times it’ll be a lie-in on a lazy Saturday, or a walk in the countryside, or time with family and friends. I reckon there are probably different kinds of happiness – I imagine some languages will have different words for them, like the warm fuzzy happiness of a cozy fire on a cold evening, or the buzzy exhilaration of winning a sports game, or the still calm happiness of being somewhere quiet and lovely. Even just writing about these things is making me chill out 🙂

    • Photo: Ed Bracey

      Ed Bracey answered on 6 Nov 2017:

      I think sometimes it’s actually really complicated to be happy. It’s like juggling, lots of things have to happen for it all to work!

      To me, it’s being around friends and family, knowing I’m working hard trying to contribute something useful to the human race, getting enough alone time, fresh air and exercise, eating healthily, exploring new things, meeting new people and discovering more about them!

      I also strongly agree with Nina’s answer.

      I’m not into things really, stuff can’t really make you happy for very long.
      Experiences, making happy memories are far more important.
      That’s why I prefer to buy presents for people that are things they can do, not things they can have.
      Some psychologists say that if you’re grateful for what you already have, and spend a few minutes each night thinking about the things you’re grateful for, you’ll be happier. I agree!

      I also agree with being content with yourself. When I was a teenager, I spent a lot of time trying to fit in, like a lot of teenagers do. I wish I’d had the strength to be content with myself like I have now!

      Lunch always tends to make me pretty happy too.

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