It’s almost indescribable to see what people say when you ask them what it is that makes them happy. It comes at a shock at first; some people just don’t know how to respond. It’s the little things most of the time. When I think of happiness, the first things that come to mind are my dog or family and friends. But when you dig deep and really think about what brings you ultimate happiness, that’s when it gets interesting.

I asked 20 people what made them happy and this is what they said. There’s no science to it, no specific answers I was looking for. Some people questioned it before actually telling me. Some people gave me lists of random things, others gave me one detailed perfected moment. Some people shared with me the deepest things about themselves that no one else knows. The length of happiness is limitless and that’s what I was reintroduced to.

Read them all or just skip to certain numbers. It would make me really happy if you read the whole thing. Simply put, I just wanted to know what made people happy. This is what I got.

1.

“I would have to say music and writing and art make me happiest. And the sky and flowers. I can't really tell what you mean though but that is what in fact makes me happy.”

2.

“The number one thing is people in love. And then there’s a list: Amy Winehouse, Christian Siriano, fish and chips, Christmas music, George Michael, hugs from mum, superhero movies, Hugh Grant movies, orchestras, the sound of seagulls, Adriana Spaziano, millionaire shortbread, Baz Luhrman movies, ballet, wind chimes, Nick Park, chocolate milk, Tim Curry, kind strangers, Disneyland, twinkle lights, naps.”

3.

“I have a list of things so I’ll just text it to you!”
Here’s what I got:
1) When you're at a concert and the artist acknowledges where they are ("how you doing Seattle?!)
2) Holding hands
3) Watching the sunset from a new place
4) Belt-singing along to songs off my sister's Glitter Bomb playlist on Spotify while she's in the passenger seat
5) Accomplishing a goal I've set
6) Looking at my bank account after a paycheck
7) Knowing my mom is happy
8) Seeing my dog on a school break
9) Surrounding myself with people who inspire me
10) Looking at the stars on a dock
11) Freeing myself from resentment towards others
12) Being confident in my decisions about my future

4.

“Concerts and concert friends, music, people who are accepting and easy to talk with, my family, and down time were I can relax and read a book.”

5.

“I think what makes me happiest is when I'm myself. Not a lot of people know this but I'm bisexual and when I get to just be myself around the people who know, I'm at my happiest because I don't feel like I'm hiding something from others and have to hold myself back from who I really am and pretend to be something I'm not.”

6.

“A good book, smiles from strangers, sunlight, the first bite of a meal you’ve been craving. Also flowers.”

7.

“My family and my dog. Also really sunny days. And the zoo.”

8.

“'Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates.' And dogs make me happy. So do my friends, and my niece and nephew. And making art that I’m proud of.”

9.

“'Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates.' But sunflowers and the song 'Meet Virginia' by Train.”

10.

“Hugs make me happy. My dogs make me happy. Getting unexpected texts make me happy.”

11.

“When you’re driving into the city and all of a sudden the natural light is replaced by the orange tunnel lights that pass over you and it’s like time has stopped and everything is a little newer.”

12.

“Well, having people who love me such as family and friends, carbs, and spa days where I can just sit at home and relax, take a bath, and not think about anything.”

13.

“The feeling you get after a really good, hard workout, the cleansing feeling of crying during concerts, hugs from friends you haven’t seen in a while, finishing something you’ve spent so much time working for, listening to a good song for the first time, of course my dog, especially how my dog reacts when I come home from college. Oh, also when it’s sunny but cold outside and I’m driving playing really good music with my windows down. And the end of a hike when you’ve made it to the top and get to see the sunset. Sunsets make me really, really happy.”

14.

“Sunshine, my little grand people, my three daughters, John, life, laughter, early morning sunrises, sunsets. Also having a purpose and living it, trying to do something that makes a difference in this world.”

15.

“The first bite of a new pint of ice cream.”

16.

“My family and my friends and my dogs. And no drama.”

17.

“My kids make me the happiest. There is just something about seeing these people that you birthed and raised doing amazing things with their lives. All of my greatest accomplishments in life flow through them.”

18.

“Youth. Being young and the ability to do what I do.”

19.

“What makes me happy? Happiness is a feeling. I don’t think someone’s goal should ultimately be happy because we’re human and we will always have all kinds of feelings that come and go because I think love is a better feeling than happiness because love can be permanent. But it’s good to have more happy days than sad and those little things that bring me happiness are good food, good wine, good conversation and unconditional love. Or maybe even waking up early enough for the sunrise, warm socks, movies, coffee, Sundays, comfy leggings and dancing.”

20.

“Books and the adventures; they take me in because I'm transported into a new world. New York City and the lights and the skyline. The business makes me feel at home and like I belong. The sound of rain falling outside my window when I wake up in the morning. The way the sun hits my room when it rises. Music and how it can settle into any mood I'm feeling. My family and my friends and how I can be myself when I'm around them. Bagels and coffee. Late night FaceTimes with one of my best friends and how it's never a dull moment every night.”

At the end of the day, what makes you happy at the core is all that matters. No matter if you love it and the person next to you hates it; but if it makes you happy, that counts for something.