I’m delighted to welcome Fi from A Mum Track Mind to The Happiness Series this week! Fi blogs about family, lifestyle & travel. She has answered The Happiness Series interview questions. Here is A Mum Track Mind on happiness…
1. Name three things in life that make you happy. And, please tell us a little about each one.
Being a Mum to two yummy, incredible, little people – Zak and Sophie. I don’t mean to sound cheesy but I literally wake up every morning wondering how I got so lucky.
Photographs – I take pictures of my children, friends and family somewhat obsessively. Capturing both the ordinary and the special moments of family life and being able to go back and remind myself of those times makes me feel really good.
My home – it’s my sanctuary and I love it. It’s the place that I feel most comfortable and my favourite place to spend time.
2. What’s something you do to find your happiness when you’ve lost it?
I’ve struggled with depression on and off for years and the one thing guaranteed to lift my mood is exercise. Don’t get me wrong, I am not a compulsive, fitness freak by any means but forcing myself to get up and get out, raising my heart rate and sweating a bit always makes me feel better. Apparently, it’s something to do with endorphins. Plus I get to eat guilt-free cake afterwards ☺
3. What cheers you up after a long, difficult day?
After a long, difficult day, a good meal and a good sleep is the thing that will cheer me up. If I have a full stomach and a full night’s sleep then I always wake feeling like I can take on another day, even if I know it’s going to be a tough one.
4. Does your job make you happy? If you are a SAH parent, does that make you happy?
I’m on maternity leave at the moment but no, my job doesn’t make me happy. Finding a work/life balance is something I have written openly about it on my blog – I’ve given up the long hours and the glamorous career for a boring, steady, part-time office job that I really don’t enjoy much. Going back to work is something that I am struggling to wrap my head around because I really would prefer to be a SAHM. I’m hoping to make blogging into a career that will help me achieve the dream!
5. Share a happy memory with us.
I’m lucky that I have so many happy memories to choose from. A favourite memory of mine is our family holiday to Orlando, Florida. After years of struggling to blend as a family with step-parents/kids it was the first time I really felt it all gel together. Plus, Disneyland is quite literally the happiest place on earth and the happiness is infectious. When I think back on the holiday I get that warm, sunny, happy holiday feeling all over again.
6. Do you think money can bring happiness?
No, I don’t think money can bring happiness but I don’t think it can hurt. I’ve been really hard up and I’ve been a lot more comfortable and I know which one I prefer!
7. Is your happiness influenced by the things you do or the way you think?
My happiness is definitely influenced by my mental state. Sometimes, being happy can be a choice and for me, this is often the case. Choosing to see the glass as half full rather than half empty is a learned behaviour for me and usually involves forcing myself to slow down and enjoy the moment rather than overthinking things. I’m always working on it though!
8. Which would make you the happiest – a sun holiday, new car or a new job opportunity?
Hmm, definitely not a new car – I just don’t care about that sort of thing. I think probably the sun holiday would please me the most unless of course the job was an opportunity to be a SAHM with my kids.
9. Which wine makes you happier – red or white?
Neither – I don’t drink. I’ve been either pregnant or breastfeeding for the past year and I’m so used to not having a drink that I just don’t think I will bother with it anymore. I certainly don’t miss the hangovers.
10. Share a quote that makes you smile.
“Be yourself, everyone else is taken” Oscar Wilde. We spend so much time comparing ourselves to others and it’s such wasted energy. As I’m nearing my thirties, I’m learning to care less what others think and just be myself and that is so freeing.
Hi, I’m Fi – Mummy to two lovely mini people and a partner to the handsome Mr.S, as well as a serial over-thinker, a terrible multi-tasker, a peanut butter addict and utterly obsessed with my dogs, my little fur babies Coco and Charlie. I am also a writer and creator of a blog, A Mum Track Mind. Find Fi on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
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.
