Where to find happiness now

ninjakitty419

For so long, I found happiness in food. I thought about it often. I thought about what I would eat at my next meal. Obsessed over it until it was time and then I felt completely engulfed in the feelings and the food. And as soon as I was done, I felt like i had completed something. It felt good. But soon I would start to think about the next time I would eat. The process just repeated. I dont know if it was the flavor, the texture, the act of putting hand to mouth, or what. But that was where I got my happiness. Then a few months ago I started having a problem. I would crave something, obsess, aquire, and consume. But I felt nothing. So I thought maybe I had been craving something else. So I tried something else. But all of the foods that normally have me that "high" left me feeling like something was missing. This went on for months and months before I accepted the fact that I was no longer going to get that "high", that feeling of accomplishment and contentment, from the food. But instead of feeling relieved that the hardest part of getting past that issue had resolved itself, I feel lost. Without those comfort foods to turn to, I cant seem to find the feeling that they used to give me. Normal people get those feelings from spending time with friends and family or doing activities that they like. I try to do things and be around people that should make me feel happy but I dont. Anyone else have this problem? How long does it take to quite having the feeling like my life is missing something?

Simomofmich

I just replaced eating with *kitten*. Now, I'm just too sore to think about eating. Probably couldn't hold a fork even if I wanted too.

Good luck tho!

Dedication and Discipline!

grouch201

Sounds kind of like a familiar story and is still kind of the life I lead every now and then. I found myself thinking today that it feels like I have come out of a fog and can see clearly. I find myself motivated to work out and to be social and it's easier to be happy and content and not obsess about the things I would obsess about (mine have generally been more relationships with girls I wanted to pursue). I guess you just have to keep trying new things until you finally find your passion. Last year I started this journey and I found great joy in traversing mountain paths that led to awesome views and breath taking scenery. This year I have found myself more inclined to bicycling. I know that my passions change, but the activities I love are always there when i need them.

It's hard to say when you'll find what you're looking for. I know that the search hasn't ended for me, and I don't know that I really expect it to. I expect that life will just continue to offer opportunities to discover new joys and new chances to find happiness as long as I am willing to seize the opportunities that present themselves. The key is to be willing to look, to take chances, and to just not give up.

Danahimself

"But instead of feeling relieved that the hardest part of getting past that issue had resolved itself, I feel lost." You accomplished liberating yourself from those foods. You do not have to completely avoid them (although you did not mention what foods) however regulate your desires for them or your attachment.

Material happiness is merely the gratification of some desire. "No sooner is the desired thing gained then it begins to be scorned." Insatiable are all desires.

Be happy because many people are unable to do what you described, after all its already within you. The happiness

Yes I do have the issue a bit.

mesafford

At the risk of sounding typical, here it goes- exercise!! It truly has replaced that feeling for me!! I really identify with what you're saying. It took a long time, but now if I get through a tough work out I feel that "accomplished" feeling and it truly does give me a bit of a high. I'd say it took me 4-6 months to replace the food happiness with workout happiness. The stronger I get, the more excited I get. I hope this helps a little!!! Good luck and hang in there!

noelheart

I also think happiness is in food. I like to find delicious foods time in and time out.
But if you can control the appetite, you won't have such kind of concern. If we can't eat nice foods, I don't think it's meaningful to be alive or life will be happy without eating.

Danahimself

At the risk of sounding typical, here it goes- exercise!! It truly has replaced that feeling for me!! I really identify with what you're saying. It took a long time, but now if I get through a tough work out I feel that "accomplished" feeling and it truly does give me a bit of a high. I'd say it took me 4-6 months to replace the food happiness with workout happiness. The stronger I get, the more excited I get. I hope this helps a little!!! Good luck and hang in there!

I agree exercise helps for sure!

WiiFitFan

Some other ideas to find happiness: helping others and getting closer to God. Enjoy your family and I hope you find lots of support here at myfitnesspal. :flowerforyou:

ninjakitty419

I just replaced eating with *kitten*. Now, I'm just too sore to think about eating. Probably couldn't hold a fork even if I wanted too.

Good luck tho!

Dedication and Discipline!

I don't know if this was serious or not, but either way, it made me laugh! Especially the part about not being able to hold a fork.

To everyone else who responded, thank you for making me feel a little less like there was something wrong with me. I do feel happy now that I was able to stop relying on food to get that feeling and I hope that soon I can find something else that makes me feel that good.

foreverloved

I've found happiness in just thinking positively about how I'm making myself healthier and happier and getting my confidence back. Just mentally reminding myself a few times a day that I'm going to be at my goal eventually and that makes me happy!

Simomofmich

Kool! Glad you thought it was funny, you could have just as easily gone the other way!

Your beautiful now, you just have to get yourself to believe it and if losing weight will help with your mental image of yourself then go for it. It's hard a first, but then it's like retraining your body and giving it new habits to learn to replace the old bad ones.

You will get out what you put in. Period!

Exercise more. Drink more water. Lower carbs. Increase your proteins and find out the calorie budget for you and then do your best to stick to it. We all mess up, but then the next day is another challenge to do it right. To do exactly what you have set your mind out to do.

Good luck!

Dedication and Discipline!