I think when I wrote yesterday about my personality, I included a fair bit about what makes me happy. And when I think about it, there’s lots!

First, being loved makes me happy. Not just romantic love, but the love of family and friends. Sometimes my feline friend looks up at me with an expression of pure love and trust; that makes me happy. Seeing my husband happy. Seeing my son happy, and achieving so much. Knowing my closest friends are happy.

Having good health makes me happy. Which is why I workout, and try to keep a handle on my diet (could do much better). But the feeling of being told I’d reversed prediabetes was amazing. Having stabilised my bipolar is a great feeling, though one I never take for granted. The days when I can function reasonably well despite chronic illness I feel particularly blessed.

I’ve recently revisited Gary Chapman’s theory of love languages. Since reading it previously I’ve always felt I was very evenly split between physical touch and receiving gifts as my love languages. Although I’m not materially minded, I do love to receive tokens and mementos that come to mean a lot to me. I also love to give gifts and see how that makes others happy.

With regards to physical touch, I’ve always needed lots of physical reassurance. I’m a hugger. And in a romantic relationship I do struggle if there’s resistance to holding hands, cuddling or kissing.

And that brings me back sex and my hypersexuality. Sex makes me very happy. Lots of sex!

Other things I love; Christmas, the colour pink, sparkly things (definitely a magpie in a previous life), being by the sea, paddling in the sea, tea and cake dates, crafting, penguins, making cakes, our motorhome Roger, music, singing and lingerie. These all make me happy.

I also have started to notice how I quite like routine and order. I like to know where stuff is. I like to know in advance what’s going to happen. I cope less well with spontaneity than I used to. I like the familiar.

I’ve also learned that happiness is temporary. Happiness is a state of mind. Joy is a state of the heart, and therefore less dependent on circumstances. I choose joy daily.