I’m delighted to welcome Rachel from Life of my Family and Me to The Happiness Series this week! Rachel blogs about life as a working mum with two young girls & a new puppy. Here’s what Rachel has to say about happiness…
1. Name three things in life that make you happy. And, please tell us a little about each one.
My children make me really happy. I am so lucky to have children because in my early twenty’s I suffered from anorexia and was told that I could not have children by a hospital consultant after having tests done as I had not had a menstrual cycle for nearly 1 year.
Chocolate, it’s probably all psychological but I always get a happy feeling when i bite into a Cadbury’s chocolate bar that’s been sitting in the freezer for a while. Hmmm yum!
Cleaning – having a real deep clean of the floors, skirting boards and inside of the cupboard. I get a sense of achievement once I’ve had a good clean. I tend to clean when I’m feeling stressed, I think it gives me something else to focus on.
2. What’s something you do to find your happiness when you’ve lost it?
Cleaning or have a hug off of Miss M. She gives the biggest and most heart warming hugs ever.
3. What cheers you up after a long, difficult day?
My bed. I love to sleep – I should work as a bed tester haha! I love wrapping myself up in my nice and warm duvet going to sleep.
4. Does your job make you happy?
Yes as a whole my job does make me happy. I am a Teaching Assistant in a Primary School. There are days I think like anyone when I can’t wait for my School day to end but in general, I am happy in my job. I get all the School holidays off and work School hours so that’s a huge plus!
5. Share a happy memory with us.
Gosh, I have so many. Hmm, just one… getting married. I had the most important people with me that day, my children were bridesmaids and Miss C made a speech!
6. Do you think money can bring happiness?
Erm, that’s a good question. Yes and no. Yes in the fact that I could live comfortably in a big house, not worry about bills, my children’s endless need for clothes where they keep growing and go on holiday without a budget. But then I think perhaps no because then I could fall into the money is no object so I have nothing to work for and would stop appreciating what I actually have and then get bored!
7. Is your happiness influenced by the things you do or the way you think?
Both I think. I think about how much I would love to do something like sit in the garden with the sun in my face so then I’ll go and do it. I try and think positively as much as I can and be aware of what is going on around me rather than be absorbed in myself. I’ll look and Miss M directly in the face when she is talking to me and I’ll notice her cute freckles which make me smile. I’ll sing a happy tune to myself or think of my family. I count myself lucky to have a husband who loves me, two gorgeous girls, a roof over my head and my family there when I need them, even if they do live quite far away. I try really hard to look around me and just be thankful for the little things.
8. Which would make you the happiest – a sun holiday, new car or a new job opportunity?
A sun holiday. I could really do with not watching the time, not sticking to a routine and to feel the heat of the sun on me. I am happy with my car and my job.
9. Which wine makes you happier – red or white?
White.
10. Share a quote that makes you smile.
“Smile and the world smiles with you”
I’m Rachel. A mum of two girls aged 11 & 5 years old. I have a 6 month old Jug puppy too. I blog about all sorts, our lives, loves and mental health. Find Rachel 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.
