You don't need much to make a happy life??

I've been thinking about this question and it depends on how I interpret, "much."
I don't need much in the way of material things, in fact I find them intrusive in some ways in that the more things I have the more things I have to take care of, try to hold onto, live around, etc.

But I need a lot in other ways, company, attention, affection, intellectual stimulation, straight up help, that sort of thing.

Low maintenance / High maintenance kind of person, I think.
 
I have enough material things & want to enjoy a simple life. All I need is to be able to pay the bills & for anything unexpected or what is really needed. We've been going through things in the house & getting rid of what we haven't used in a long time & probably won't.

We have good friends when we need help we can depend on & they on us. Our group gets together throughout the year for different things.

The one thing I do want is for a very needy family member in our life is to grow up, step up & handle their own affairs.
 

I love the idea of minimalism. But I like thrift shopping too much. I'm not picky though about most things.

I need to feel safe. Don't 100% in this apartment anymore. I need the cats, craft supplies and books. Then add all the knick knack crap I have sitting around I don't need but like.
 
I think the ability to be happy with just the basics serves people well. I've never been a high maintenance girl/woman. I can be happy doing very simple things....shopping, going to amusement parks and now walking the boardwalk or just sitting on the balcony of our timeshare. I used to tell my husband that I'm a cheap date. I mentioned it to my son the other day when we were going to the mosque. I saw an airplane flying very low as it was about to land and got excited. I told him I used to tell his stepfather, before we married that I'd be happy just being with him and going out by the airport and watching the planes land. Some food before, after or during (take out) would be nice of course. One thing my husband did do that I loved (because I hate to cook)... he took me out to eat almost every night for several years. That was mostly due to him getting off late from his business and not being able to decide what he wanted. Diners provided the best option.

Other simple things that make me happy: connecting with family and friends, listening to and making music, watching my favorite shows, playing my favorite digital games and taking the train to, then walks in the Hoboken waterfront park.
 
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I have enough of the basic things in my life to make me content. As long as I am content then I do have the ability to be happy at times. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about being content. I am fine being in my home at night watching TV but I wouldn't call it being happy. The things that make me happy are simple things like a walk while listening to music on a nice day but I doubt I would be happy doing that if I did not have a comfy home to go to after my walk.

It is important to remember that the things we call "simple" or "basic" in our lives to make us happy are considered luxuries to a great many people in this world.
 
Remy said:
I love the idea of minimalism. But I like thrift shopping too much. I'm not picky though about most things.

I need to feel safe. Don't 100% in this apartment anymore. I need the cats, craft supplies and books. Then add all the knick knack crap I have sitting around I don't need but like.
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Life can be hard, whatever makes it more comfortable for you, you know? ♥
 
MarkinPhx said:
I have enough of the basic things in my life to make me content. As long as I am content then I do have the ability to be happy at times. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining about being content. I am fine being in my home at night watching TV but I wouldn't call it being happy. The things that make me happy are simple things like a walk while listening to music on a nice day but I doubt I would be happy doing that if I did not have a comfy home to go to after my walk.

It is important to remember that the things we call "simple" or "basic" in our lives to make us happy are considered luxuries to a great many people in this world.
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I like your post because it gently points to our heightened comfort as compared to others in the world and that happiness is a transient state.
 
NorthernLight said:
Interesting thought. I think I'm bored because some of what I need (or think I need) is just not available to me.

Satisfying human interaction: After a lot of effort, I manage to get this for one or two hours a week. I need way more than that.

A "relationship": Not happening, for physical reasons and other reasons.

Entertainment: All I have is YouTube on my smartphone. I'd like to sit back and comfortably watch TV or Netflix on a decent sized screen. But I can't afford satellite or cable (or a TV).

Travel: Going anywhere would wipe out my savings. Is it worth it?

I don't need fashion or fine dining or nice furniture. I'm grateful to have a car (and a balcony!). Occasionally I spend $100 on thingamajig. But it would be nice to do something without worrying or struggling, or having to accept that it's not ever going to happen.
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On your phone check out the history channel, lots of shows free to watch without having an account.

Just type in History channel on your phone and check it out.
 
Avon said:
Just been on eBay and noticed one seller has second-hand lady's handbags for sale between £10/15,000 pounds stirling, and people are asking what makes a person happy.
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Those won't make anyone happy. Some people think they will. The purse I'm using is from the thrift store.
 
Remy said:
Those won't make anyone happy. Some people think they will. The purse I'm using is from the thrift store.
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I've always been a lover of handbags.. but I've never paid more than £65 for one... it's absolute madness that anyone could even consider spending hundreds...nay thousands on some thing to carry junk in..to be brutally honest..

Same with shoes.. £4,000 for a pair of Louis vuitton shoes.. just for the red sole... I have known 2 different people who have had those shoes, and they are the only people I know who had the heels break.. just diabolical waste of money which could go to make someone else's life a little easier..
 
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I am definitely not high maintenance. I enjoy simple things such as walking the dogs, having friends over for dinner and games, etc. However, I do recognize that much of the world lacks basic needs.

My condo is not luxury but it’s nice and I own it. I have been lucky enough to travel quite a bit but that’s ending after next year because of money and desire. I am content.
 
hollydolly said:
I've always been a lover of handbags.. but I've never paid more than £65 for one... it's absolute madness that anyone could even consider spending hundreds...nay thousands on some thing to carry junk in..to be brutally honest..

Same with shoes.. £4,000 for a pair of Louis vuitton shoes.. just for the red sole... I hae know 2 different people who have had those shoes, and they are the only people I know who had the heels break.. just diabolical waste of money which could go to make someone else's life a little easier..
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When money is no object, I can see it and perhaps in a make-believe past life would have been drawn into it. However, such things must have boundaries and going to art galleries and looking at pictures which are blank canvas is beyond my understanding. Could you not afford a "v"? xxx
 
Avon said:
When money is no object, I can see it and perhaps in a make-believe past life would have been drawn into it. However, such things must have boundaries and going to art galleries and looking at pictures which are blank canvas is beyond my understanding. Could you not afford a "v"? xxx
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yes I could afford a LV.. if that's what you're asking.. I wouldn't on principle
 
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