In our fast-moving world, we rarely get the chance to stop and think about the forces that drive our happiness and our sense of purpose. Sure, we can find books, podcasts, and blog posts detailing a zillion things that can immediately get our serotonin flowing, yet it may still remain a mystery. But the truth is, our lives are full of wonderful moments — we just sometimes need to be reminded of them.
Thankfully, Redditor MyForever_NameNow thought we could all use a little joy when they reached out to 'Ask Reddit' with a wholesome question: "What’s the happiest you’ve ever felt?" The thread immediately became a hit as people typed out a host of funny, uplifting, and heartwarming stories to brighten each other's day.
Below, you’ll find some of the best responses that prove everyone has a different idea of what it means to be happy, and that’s completely fine! Get ready for a wave of positivity as you continue reading through these stories, and scroll down to find our in-depth interview about the role of happiness with psychologist Joshua Klapow, Ph.D. Then hit upvote on your favorite entries and share this post with anyone who might need a bit of a boost!
#21
Camping. waking up early to gather kindling and firewood to start a fire, getting some water to boil for coffee. getting ready for a hike or stroll through the woods and just being able to breathe and hear the sounds of nature. It's my happy place.
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95points
According to Klapow, happiness is neither good nor bad. "The same goes with every emotion we experience. Having happiness as an emotional component of our life is an important contributor to a balanced mental health state. Perpetual euphoria is not healthy, and neither is perpetual distress. Seeking to balance our lives with doses of happiness gives us strength and balance to our overall emotional state," he concluded.
#22
When I finished the final training exercise in Marine boot camp (The Crucible). Proudest moment of my life because I never would've thought in a million years I would've made it through.
I now know how dumb that was to think, but still. The sense or pride I had in myself that day is unmatched to this day.
91points
#23
7 months clean from Jib (Crystal Meth)
never going back under any circumstances. Not even if the cutest chick on the planet who would be willing to bang me if I took a shot of ice.
never going back under any circumstances. Not even if the cutest chick on the planet who would be willing to bang me if I took a shot of ice.
The meth lifestyle is very dark and depressing. I'm glad Im not there anymore.
**EDIT: Jib is a slang for Crystal Meth just like Tina, Ice, Speed, Clear etc**
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89points
#24
When I asked my crush out on a date and she said yes. It was the second time I asked someone out, but my first yes. I was so incredibly happy and relieved that I couldn't stop shaking (I have tremors), I had to take an extra dose of my meds to calm down a bit. I was on Cloud9 for about a day until she texted me saying she was busy etc etc, so essentially a rejection. The date never happened, but for 24hrs I had the greatest euphoria I've ever felt and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
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84points
#25
Every time I see my son. The world stops and it’s just his happy face.
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83points
#26
The happiest I've ever felt, was two days ago. I was big spoon, he was little spoon, we were both tired as f**k. I burried my face in the cosiness of his bed sheets and let the warmth of his body just flow through me. I've been living with depression and anxiety for the last 10 years of my nearly 22 year old life, and that evening, I felt something I hadn't felt in those 10 years: peace of mind, and genuine sense of affection. The guy and I aren't a couple, and it's not a FWB thing either, it was platonic and caring. Two people in need of some affection, but he has no idea how happy he made me that evening/night. It's made my longing for love and affection worse since then, because that's how the (my) brain works, but at least I've got this little memory to treasure and safeguard now.
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80points
#27
I was working at a call centre and living in a basement.
I literally have no idea why I was so happy.
It lasted for like a month. Strange times.
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75points
#28
Me and my crush were hanging out one time, and all I could say was. “I like you… a lot.” And she just smiled and said “Me too.” Has to be the happiest day of my life so far.
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74points
#29
I went and visited my older brother who works at a restaurant on a ski resort and I picked the perfect day with tons of powder to go snowboarding with him. He’s good, I’m fairly new. We were doing some carved out tree runs that I still felt pretty unsure about and we’re making me super out of breath. I got up from a break and said “Let’s do this”. I then dropped in like a pro and shredded the first two carves and got a “hell yeah” from my older brother. Felt so validated.
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71points
#30
When we bought our house. I thought I'd always live in apartments. It meant so much to me to have a final last place to live.
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70points
#31
That first week when I first separated from the military.
I felt so free and happy it was unreal. I'm very happy these days, but I don't think I can reach that peak happiness again.
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70points
#32
When I turned around to see my fiancée in her wedding dress at the end of the aisle. Makes me happy every time I think of it
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70points
#33
I was with my ex in northern Thailand. We rented an old stick shift land cruiser. I was driving and my ex fell asleep. I had the music on and was driving through miles and miles of mountain roads and rice fields. No one on sight just us. It still is one of my most treasured memories.
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69points
#34
Sitting on a roof with my best friend, smoking a joint and listening to some music. Can’t explain why exactly, but it was magical
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57points
#35
I *should* say it was the birth of my children, but I can't help but think back to that time in 1998, The Undertaker threw Mankind off Hell In A Cell, and plummeted 16 ft through an announcer's table.
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57points