I’m honoured to welcome this week’s guest poster to The Happiness Series – Donna from What the Redhead Said. Donna is not only one of the top parenting bloggers in the UK, she is also one of the kindest & most generous bloggers I’ve met. Donna has answered the happiness interview questions. Here is What the Redhead Said on happiness…
1. Name three things in life that make you happy. And, please tell us a little about each one.
Family – Hubby and the kids. Is that too much of an obvious one? They are the thing in life that makes me happy. Seeing the children happy, watching them play, holding their hands and being able to share it all with Hubby too. That makes me happy.
The sun shining – Such a simple thing but when I wake up in the morning and the sun is shining, even if it’s a really cold day, I am instantly happy.
Blogging – It’s an amazing hobby, it gives me something to do when Hubby’s working night shifts and it fits in easily around the children. It also gives us experiences I never thought we would have, an extra income and huge social circles. Blogging definitely makes me happy.
2. What’s something you do to find your happiness when you’ve lost it?
Go back to basics. I try and not think too much about the material things and about things I can’t change but if I’m having a down day, week or month I try and think of the positives – our beautiful kids, lovely home and good health and this tends to make me happy again.
3. What cheers you up after a long, difficult day?
Those days are often the ones I spend at work and really, after a long day, coming home and seeing the kids, giving them cuddles and hearing about their day is all I need to cheer me up.
4. Does your job make you happy? If you are a SAH parent, does that make you happy?
No. Not really. My day job is a necessity. I work to live and not live to work but recently I have found a work mindset where I can go in, do my job and come home again and not invest too much energy in it. This definitely makes the time I spend at work a lot happier and a lot more enjoyable as I get to switch off as soon as I leave.
5. Share a happy memory with us.
I remember as a child sitting on my Dad’s shoulders whilst we were walking around a forest. I must have only been about two or three and had bright red wellies on. It was pouring with rain and we were all getting soaked but up there, on my Dad’s shoulders, was such a happy place – even with the rain!
6. Do you think money can bring happiness?
No. I think money gives happiness a push in the right direction but if I had endless amounts of money but no family or friends I could never be happy. As long as we have enough money to get by and the children end each day smiling and happy then I’m happy but I don’t think if we had lots more money we would be any happier for it.
7. Is your happiness influenced by the things you do or the way you think?
I believe that happiness is very much a mindset and way of life – and not really material at all. So things we have and things we do, don’t really impact it. For me, happiness is all about the way I think and the things that I have given importance to – like family and friends.
8. Which would make you the happiest – a sun holiday, new car or a new job opportunity?
I don’t think any job would make me that happy – and I like having an income too much to stay at home. Material things don’t often bring me happiness, and our car works fine so a sun holiday would be my choice. A week or two with Hubby and the kids is bound to be a happy time.
9. Which wine makes you happier – red or white? ????
I’ve actually just found out I have an intolerance to wine – any type! I get really very sick if I have more than a glass and so, sadly, wine doesn’t make me happy at all! I still love an occasional gin and tonic though!
10. Share a quote that makes you smile.
‘Happiness is not a destination, it’s a way of life’
Donna blogs over at What the Redhead Said, sharing everything about family life with her husband and two children. Apart from the blog, Donna spends her time working for a high street bank, cooking and planning the next big adventure.
If you would like to take part in the Happiness Series by contributing a happiness post or by answering the happiness interview questions, I’d love to have you! Find out more details on The Happiness Series Page.
