I wrote a version of this years ago when I was 35, married, and juggling life with my husband, daughter and step son. Life looks very different now. It was funny to read back and see how unhappy I actually was. I’m now in the same wheat field, just a lot happier.
I’m 40. I’m a single mum. I have one brilliant, funny, fierce 10-year-old daughter who keeps me grounded and occasionally tests every ounce of patience I possess.
Some things have changed. Some haven’t. And happiness feels less like a big shiny concept and more like small, steady moments.
So here are the ten things that make me happy now.
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My Daughter
She made me a mum, but she doesn’t define me, she inspires me.
Watching her grow into her own person is one of the greatest privileges of my life. She is strong-willed, funny, dramatic in the most theatrical way, and fiercely independent.
Every night, I still give her a goodnight kiss. And sometimes I stand there for a moment longer than I need to, because I know these years are moving fast.
She’s good at sports, and is my motivation to get myself out there too.
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Peace
At 35, I thought happiness meant noise and busyness.
At 40, peace feels like gold.
A tidy kitchen at night. A cup of tea that stays hot. Silence after bedtime. A moment where no one needs anything from me.
Peace is underrated.
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Films (Still)
Some things don’t change.
I still love a good film, except now it’s less “snuggling with babies” and more “sharing popcorn and rolling our eyes at the same plot twists.”
There’s something comforting about escaping into a story for two hours.
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Holidays (Even If They Look Different Now)
Beach days are still magic. My daughter is still a water baby.
But now holidays are less about perfect photos and more about slowing down. Sand in shoes, salty hair, laughing over chips on the pier.
It doesn’t have to be abroad. A UK beach in the sunshine will do just fine, and we are so very lucky to live on the South Coast.
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Food
My name is Amy and yes, I am still a foodaholic.
Brighton still feels like a happy place. Cheese festivals, independent cafés, trying somewhere new on a random Tuesday. Good food is joy. It’s connection. It’s therapy with seasoning.
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Summer
The buzz of summer still lifts me.
Longer evenings. BBQs. That feeling that everyone collectively relaxes a little bit. Watching my daughter run around with her friends until it’s almost dark.
Summer happiness is contagious, and I’ll take as much of it as I can.
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Nature
This planet still amazes me.
A long walk by the sea. The sound of trees in the wind. A quiet park bench. Nature feels grounding in a way nothing else does.
And the best part? It’s free.
When life feels heavy, outside usually helps.
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My Health
At 40, I appreciate this more than I ever did.
Health isn’t something I take for granted anymore. Energy, strength, the ability to move, they matter.
I don’t chase perfection. I just try to look after myself well enough to keep showing up.
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Capturing Memories
Cameras. Phones. Videos. Voice notes.
I love that I can capture tiny moments, the way she laughs, the way she talks, the things she says that make no sense now but will mean everything later.
Not because life needs to look perfect, but because memories fade, and I don’t want to forget the little bits.
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Music
Still undefeated.
Music can shift my entire mood in three minutes. It can lift me up when I’m tired, and it can sit with me when I’m not.
Some days it’s loud kitchen mum dancing (Red light DOES spell danger when mamma is on the win while cooking). Some days it’s headphones and a quiet cry.
Both count.
Final Thought
Happiness at 40 looks quieter than it did at 35.
It’s less about the picture-perfect life and more about resilience, gratitude, and finding steady ground when things shift.
Life doesn’t always go the way you planned.
But it can still be good. Different, but good.
The original article from 2021, 5 years to the day:
I have been tagged in the 10 things that make me Happy tag by the fabulous Lianne over at Mrs Mummy Harris. You can find her post here. I have been feeling a little bit sad of late so this is a wonderful idea for some positive thinking. It also gives you the chance to find out a little more about me. So here are my 10 things that make me happy:
It also gives you the chance to find out a little more about me, so here are the 10 things that make me happy:
My Children
My children made me a mummy and define me more than anything. Even though they can be naughty, both are so full of character and love. Both strong and independent, with a wild spirit. Every night before I go to bed they both get a goodnight kiss, watching them sleeping so peacefully makes my heart melt.
My Husband
Where would I be without him? The father of my children and the man I have chosen to spend the rest of my life with. Sometimes I want to bash him over the head, but he does so much I can’t live without him! We have our ups and downs, but as long as we have each other, I know we’ll be happy.
Films
I am a film buff and love nothing more than snuggling up to my babies and watching a good film.
Holidays
My kids love playing on beaches and are proper water babies. And I love lazing in the sunshine and eating good food. The winning combination that makes every holiday special.
Food
My name is Amy, and I am a foodaholic. Brighton do an amazing Cheese festival and have some of the best restaurants. It’s my happy place.
Summer
I just love the buzz of summer, Sunshine drinking, BBQ’S, Social gatherings. Everybody seems extra happy. When everyone else is happy, it ultimately rubs off on you, Summer happiness is contagious. Happy summer days, I love them. Summer is the best season
Nature
This planet is amazing! It has so much to offer and it is so important that we look after it. Without nature, I think all our lives would be quite drab and dull, how very sad. I feel happy when I am out and about, the sounds, the colours, the diversity and to top it of, its completely free, Now that does make me happy!
My Health
I think Health is something we all take for granted, especially when we are well. Thankfully, apart from the odd minor thing, I have been fortunate to have my health. So having my health makes me very happy and appreciative. My heart goes out to those that don’t.
Cameras
How lucky are we to live in a time where we can document everything?! I know cameras have been around for some time now, but I remember in the 80’s/90’s not knowing what you got until you had your film developed. Half would be rubbish!! Now we can capture and store everything instantly at the click of a button. It makes me so happy to think I can look back at my children growing up and not have to forget a thing.
Music
Oh, how it can dictate my mood and lift me up to the highest heights like a tornado and drop me back down to earth just as quick.
