How happy are you?

[crazycaro]

I'm going through a bit of a down period at the moment (in fact, am weaning off my anti-depressants), so I have been thinking a lot about 'things'. I got to thinking about my happiness and then got curious to see how others would rate their level of happiness. So here is my poll. :)

Feel free to post!

[kalogrias]

That's a hard question to answer for me as it changes daily and the breakdowns are very different from one another...I'd have to say...

Marriage: 7-9, depending

Work: 1-3...every once in a great while, a 6 day will happen and I will be amazed and awed

Social life: 3-9, depending on the friends involved and on the circumstances (ie. sometimes I feel trapped by the social life here, and sometimes it's wonderful...that really is a roller-coaster of emotions for me)

Family: 2-7, depending on whether or not my DH's parents are being verbally abusive or whether my mother is having a depressive fit that she chooses to tell only me about. Right now we're in a 2 period, but last month was a pretty solid 7...

Overall: Eh, anywhere between a 6 and 8. I'm usually fairly content. I think the fact that my marriage makes me so happy makes up for a lot of the other stuff when it's not going right.

[tlew12778]

Easily 9. I almost put 10 but 10 seemed too perfect.

The only thing that is a drag is credit card debt and student loan debt. But neither really affect my happiness per se. But it would be really nice if they didn't exist :p.

It would be nice to live closer to my family but that would require living far away from his family so the two balance each other out.

I absolutely love my job. Our marriage is fantastic. Our friends are great. We pretty much do what we want, when we want, and how we want. Overall I am very content with life and that is what makes it happy.

[skyblu]

It's hard to quantify, because little annoyances have different impact on me depending on how cranky or PMS-y I am that day.

But overall, pretty happy.

[kk junebug]

i agree that it varies day to day.
overall im generally a happy person. but i have my days!

i feel that my happiness improves as the week goes on, ha. work towards the weekend! and i generally get happier as it gets closer to quittin' time ea. day too.
i find to be the most happiest when im home, relaxing.

[LDS Angel 19]

7.

I have a wonderful husband and finally brought home two beautiful daughters. Subtract the mountain of medical bills and DH's busted car and maybe add in a few more girlfriends and I'd be a 9.

[karlatta]

7 - I have a wonderful husband, two beautiful children, and amazingly supportive friends and family.

If I didn't have so many post-partum hormones swirling around, and if DH was done with school, it'd be higher.

[longislandlolita]

I'd say a 9. I have a great job where I am respected (and well-compensated) for my abilities, a beautiful house, lots of loving family and friends, and the most ridiculously happy marriage ever. I sometimes feel pressure to downplay how happy I am, especially in my marriage, because I don't want to sound like I'm bragging. Especially since I didn't do anything to *deserve* my job, house, friends, family or wonderful husband -- I'm just very lucky.

crazycaro, I have heard that weaing off antidepressants can be a trying time. I really hope you feel better soon!

[Missy2U]

I gave it a four, only because I'm having some problems right now. On average, though, when I'm not down, a 7 I guess.

[KristyK]

I gave it an overall 5. I'm basically happy, yet there are so many things in my life that could cause it to drop to a 1 quickly.

I give you kudo's for trying to get off anti-depressants, they aren't even helping me enough lately so getting off of them is a definite NO right now. Good luck!

[nylons73]

Today is a 2, but to be honest, I'm pretty depressed today. :(

Overall, when I consider my husband who loves me totally and completely, and my job, my home, etc, I'm about a 7. :)

I believe that this question will totally fluctuate depending on the day that you ask it. You know, one of my professors in college once gave a survey like this one, looking for the rate of depresson in college students, etc. However, he decided to give it on the Tuesday following the Monday that my college had lost in the finals of the NCAA basketball national championship. He said that almost EVERYONE answered that they were mega-depressed! LOL ;)

Just goes to show that 'when' you ask someone this question is just as important as asking it!

[MLA]

Marriage -- 9 or 10
Social life -- 3 or 4 (I miss my friends from California and haven't really found a niche out here, and I'm not very good at making friends outside of work. Unfortunately, there are only 2 other people at my work, so it makes it hard.)
Work -- 4 to 6, depending on the day (some days it's more like a 2 and some days it's a solid 8 or 9, but mostly I'm in the 4 to 6 range)
Family -- It varies widely depending on what sort of drama's going on and what part of the family we're talking about. I'd say it ranges from 1 to 9. Really.
Financially -- Generally about a 7. We're financially stable, which makes me happy, but we're not where we want to be yet. Once we get to where we want to be, I'd say I'll be at about a 9.

Right now my overall "happiness" is pretty low due to some issues that have arisen -- probably a 4. But generally I'm at about a 7.

[Happy1]

I'm definitely a solid "9". All it would take to push me up to a "10" would be for us to finally be chosen by a birthparent so we can adopt some kids and complete our little family. But life in general is pretty darned good to me and I get teased a lot about how I find pleasure in such simple things. :p Over the years I've even obtained the nicknames: chuckles, smiley, giggles, Pollyanna and sunshine. I wonder if anyone ever remembers what my real name is anymore!

But as far as my life in general, my marriage is definitely wonderful, I love my job and can easily picture myself being here until retirement (which is a long way off) and overall I've been blest with great health and good friends.

When I have my down moments I just start looking at everything that has gone right in my life and I keep in mind that things could be so much worse.

Nikki :D

[chefker]

On average, I would say a solid "8-9".

I sometimes have lows where I'll feel more like a 3-4, but those are generally short-lived. Usually during PMS week :rolleyes:

[KK812]

Right now a 6 or 7. Hopefully by the end of the year DH will be finished with school and I will be pregnant. At that point it will definitely be up there at a 9 or 10.

[Neen]

I'd have to say a 7.

My marriage is great, my kids are great, I like my job (even if I am interviewing), classes have started off great.

What would make it better? To pay off some more bills (we are very close to being debt free!), buy a house, move the FIL out!!

[eli1126]

On average I would say I fall between 7-10. Talk to me in two weeks when I am back in school and work, it may go down significantly.

[kris97]

I could answer in two ways, which would give different answers.

Overall, I have so much going for me -- an incredible husband, a dream job, a little house that I love, amazing friends and family, enough money to be comfortable and do what we want, good health (knock wood!), abilties for which I am so grateful. So, a 9.

But this moment, working on this brief for the tenth day in a row, with my last day off being a week ago Saturday, not leaving the office before 10 on a weekday in probably two weeks, and not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel; dealing with the prospect of infertility treatment ... yeah, it's hard to smile this morning. So, a 4.

Thankfully, I keep the big picture in mind when the immediate future seems without hope.

[udsweetpea]

I voted 8. There are circumstances in my life that could be better and make me happier, but I believe everything is the way it is for a reason.

I work with my family as a loan officer, which is awesome, but the mortgage industry is really taking a tumble. It really hasn't affected my business, but I'd love more clients, and therefore, more commissions.

My relationship is amazing, and I wake up every day completely in love. However, because of my job and commute, I only live at home with him during the weekends. I'm moving in February to be closer to work, which I'm not entirely happy about, but its for a reason.

I feel pretty fortunate and very happy with my life overall. I've accomplished the goals I've set out for myself, and I feel very proud of myself.

[BerBer]

I gave myself an 8.

Overall, I am so very lucky and very happy. I have a husband that most days I feel I don't deserve because he is so compassionate and selfless. I've never been too much of a career girl... just not my cup of tea, but I do have a fantastic job that lets me take off pretty much whenever I want and realizes not everyone wants to climb the corporate ladder! Once I have kids I'll just scrap working all together. I have time for all of my hobbies and am lucky enough to be a paid actress. Both my husband and I have lots of friends in the area who we adore spending time with both together and separately.

I know for sure I'd be a 10 if my Mom was still alive as my relationship with family is so much more difficult without her here and no matter what I will miss her every single day of my life which brings my happiness number down a bit.

So even though some day's I feel like a 1 on the happiness scale because I miss her so much I do have a life filled with wonderful gifts so I try and remember those above all.

[ysolde]

4-5. I recently separated from H, which was a great relief, but is suddenly becoming "real". I wish I were making more money. Work is good, but nothing spectacular. I just switched BC, and it seems to be wreaking havoc with me. I'm just, I don't know, confused.

[MrsBeckyLP]

I'm a 9. I recently found out I'm PG, so naturally, I'm pretty happy right now. The only thing bringing me down a peg is the fact that our builder keeps messing stuff up. He's on my S-list, but I'm really trying to not let it bother me. I know it will be worth it in the end (which is hopefully coming soon).

[villanelle75]

I gave myself a 7-8. (I voted 7) I'd say when I look shorter term, I am a 9. But I'm having a bit of identity angst right now, and I feel stuck and confused about my career and Who I Am. So I need to sort that out, and it's bringing me down in the mean time.

Marriage -- 9
Social life -- 7 Much of of circle of close friends has recently moved away, which sucks. My 2 best friends are still fairly close though, and they are amazing women. I do wish DH and I got out and explored the community more.
Financially -- 7-8 I worry about money even when there is no reason to, so I don't think I could ever be a 10 here. We are very stable. We are in the process of closing on a significant investment (property related). I think it was a great opportunity and s smart move, especially in the long run, but I worry about what it will do to our monthly dollars since that is a bit of an unknown.
Work--4 I am bored all the time. I am not challenged in the slightest. I do work at a non-profit with a great mission, so it's nice to be a part of that, but I I feel stuck and under-utilized and to have no hope, since we are so small, of moving up.

If I could decide what to do about work and my career path, and figure out how to get over this sense of being motionless and stuck, there wouldn't be a single thing in my life that I was significantly displeased with.

[KrissyCat7]

I would rate my happiness as an 8. The only two factors that prevent it from being a 10 is my job and our struggle to get pg.

[1MegMeg]

Overall a very solid 8-9. I'll have brief down times, but they are very short lived. I've been through a lot the past 18-24 months, but now my life is better than ever. I'm happy, but most importantly I don't sweat it/worry/do drama/etc. anymore. I can't control other's actions and behaviors, but I can control and choose my own. I choose to be happy! :)

[Larissa]

Marriage - 4
Social life - 4-5 - I wish I had more friends here and I miss my friends from home.
Financial - 0-1 - We have no debt, but we're living month-to-month and DH never gets paid on time which causes problems in our marriage.
Work - 2-3 - I really dislike my job and am actively looking for a new one.

Overall - probably a 2 or 3 today. I may change my mind tomorrow though ;)

[Lauren23]

I said 4. I'm pretty darn miserable most of the time. I hate my job, hate the commute and don't really like our living situation because we don't have enough room. We don't make a lot of money and right now things are kind of tight. DH spends most of his time doing his schoolwork (which is good, because he's almost done) but that leaves me lonely and bored most of the time.

[PinkMartini]

Right now about a 3 :(

I think I have depression so that's obviously affecting my happiness score. Plus being almost 8 months pregnant with a 10 month old in this 100 degree heat isn't helping things either...

[Scooter]

In general, I'd say an 8-9.

I had to go through a lot of soul-searching for years to get to the point where I figured out how to feel satisfaction and contentment with my life. It really helped my general mood and happiness to retrain myself to feel happy with where I am regardless if it's where I want to be in the future. Not that I don't go through down times like everyone else, of course. ;)

[Standrea]

I said 7.

I absolutely love and adore my husband, am completely engulfed with my daughter, have a house, paid off our 2 newer cars, and are pretty much debt free. I have fantastic friends, and for the most part our families are amazing.

Things could improve-i.e. health issues, we do need a larger house, and ttc#2 isn't exactly going easy. BUT, i do know that we are in a much better place then many others and am completely grateful for that!

[salysaturn]

ehh, right now...not too happy. Just found out I have to go into the office tomorrow for a staff meeting. Usually, WAH people call in. The last "big" meeting, one of our offices closed...sigh.

[Julss05]

I'd say I'm at a 7 right now. Marriage is great but DH kept me up all night with snoring:rolleyes:. Like others it changes daily! My happiness would be at a 9 or 10 if I was in a better paying job in my field of study, and we were living in a better neighborhood. I know with time those things will come though. I wish it was sooner than later with TTC coming up. Whenever I get down on myself I try to be happy for what I do have and help family/friends who are less fortunate which makes me feel better.

[pixiecat]

When I think of how blessed I am, I *think* I should be a 9-10, but I *feel* like a 6, so that's how I voted.

[Natrat80]

When I think of how blessed I am, I *think* I should be a 9-10, but I *feel* like a 6.

I feel the same way! When I survey my life I am so blessed, but sometimes I let little things like being in a new town with few friends, DH working a lot, etc bring me down. But overall I am very happy and fulfilled!

[phoenics]

Well today I'm at a 10.

Why? Well, I got the new Ikea catalog in the mail last night and it's AWESOME! I'd gone to a home and garden show over the weekend and got quoted for some bookcases and the price was just ridiculous! I mean just horrible! So when I saw the Ikea catalog and the shelves I can get for less than a fourth of that quoted cost, I got giddy!

Added to that, I went through my closets and culled tons of stuff! I mean, this stuff had been sitting around for MONTHS! Maybe even over a year! And maybe longer than that! I am so happy that I've organized it. I had a pile sent to Goodwill and I have another bag that's going to a consignment shop that I love! I hope they take shoes...

Anyway... in the Ikea catalog, I found the EXACT wardrobe and shelves I need to create my 'Mariah Carey-like' dressing area in my bedroom... I'm so ridiculously excited over getting shoe storage and organizing my home that I think I'm giddy.

And at work, I had a number of experiences where I didn't trust my gut instinct on certain things and I told myself to stop doubting my own abilities and to just go for it. I finally did that - even when my director expressed some skepticism. But I kept at it - and my design ideas were just corroborated by a world-class researcher at this conference my colleague (one of the doubters of my original idea) went to. So now, everyone is on board - and I'm so glad I stuck to my guns and didn't question myself.

Whew.

Now. The above are reasons why I feel giddy 'today' but tomorrow could be another story. I've been working really hard on being thankful for whatever kind of day I have, trusting that it can and will get better (when I'm worried over that). I have prayers every night that I pray to remind myself to be thankful and content with what I have and so that's been helpful.

Also, if I feel lonely and start getting sad over the fact that I'm unmarried and that I'm not seriously seeing anyone (though I have someone on the radar, but we're 'just friends' until further notice as far as I can tell), I remind myself that part of that loneliness is that I've cut myself off from friends and family and that I need to get out there and reconnect with them. That helps too. Last weekend, I was recovering from a serious bout of depression that started Saturday morning and was horrid by Sunday evening. I realized that I'd isolated myself and took steps to rectify that. Boy did that help.

I also get a lot of solace from my faith and prayer.

[Irish Elf]

I'm definitely happier now than this time last year. I have a wonderful daughter and a husband that usually helps out : ) If he doesn't step in he's good at least about helping when I ask. +2

My family seems to be drama free or drama lite right now. +1

My inlaws are across the ocean for another month. +5 :p Actually the drama with MIL drops me down a little b/c I hate that I can't resolve it the way I want. -2 But it isn't an everyday occurance so I can't say it really affects my happiness.

I can't spell -2

I quit my job that was a horrible place to be and get to stay at home with DD through the holidays. +5
DH is on board and encourages this so it's nice having that harmony. +3

I get to start exercsing full steam in 2 weeks (not sure if this is a + or a -)

DD is napping as I type: + 2

DD comes out of her hip brace for good next week: + infinity

[Irish Elf]

I've been working really hard on being thankful for whatever kind of day I have, trusting that it can and will get better (when I'm worried over that). ...remind myself to be thankful and content with what I have and so that's been helpful.
Hmm, this sounds like something we all could do. Good advice.

[ambula704]

I gave myself a 9. Most days I feel *so* lucky and blessed I almost feel guilty! Its like its not natural to be THIS happy. I have a wonderful marriage, I love my job, I have a beautiful home, great family, etc. Mostly though it is my relationship with my husband that makes me blissfully happy.

I didnt give myself a 10 because I am sick right now...and I feel like I get sick alot (colds, allergies, stomach stuff, etc) I am a teacher so I just expect to get sick, but sometimes it makes things tough.


For those of you that are 8-10 on the happiness scale, do you feel guilty? I do feel like I am rubbing it in to my friends or on my online journals, but I am really being serious and not making it up! I also sometimes have anxiety that its "too good to be true" and it will all be taken away from me. Anyone else feel this way?

[Kimberland30]

Overall I gave it a 7.

Marriage: Right now it's about an 7, but it's getting better. We've had a tough time lately but it's finally starting to clear and it gets better every day.

Work: This is our busiest time of year, so until October it's going to be hectic. But I give my job a solid 9.5. If I could just get SOME people to understand what it is I do and why I need their communication/cooperation, I'd give it a 10...absolutely.

Social life: This is pretty much good, I'd say a 9. I have GREAT friends, both "on my own" and couple friends that DH and I enjoy being around. All our neighbors are also friends, so we talk to them all the time and don't mind if they stop by for a beer or two, and vice versa. Like I said, it's been pretty busy at work so I get home late and work some Saturday's, but I can always count on a friend/neighbor to be there when I need to vent so that I'm not always dumping it on DH. Plus my BFF works with me, so she can relate to my stress.

Family: Overall this is an 8. I wish I got more help around the house, but my DD and DH do pitch in A LOT (sometimes without being asked!) and I'm grateful for that. I wish we spent more time together as a family, but with our schedules it's hard to do. When DD starts school again in a few weeks it will be almost impossible. We'll have to figure something out. My parents were just here, and DH's parents will be down tomorrow. I just saw my brother (my only close relative) for the entire weekend last weekend and had a blast. So family is good!

Overall: Again it's a 7. Life is good and I don't have any complaints, but right now it's just so busy and hectic that I wish I had more time to just slow down and relax. Falling asleep on the couch at 9:30 isn't fun, nor is feeling tired all the time (I am suffering from insomnia because of stress and have had 2 migranes in a month). But this WILL pass once it slows down.

[amwilson615]

I voted a 4. Things are hard for me now and have been for a while. Getting bogged down.

[Rosebud]

This is a tough one. I gave myself a 6.

I'm really happy in my marriage and about the impending birth of our first baby. I love my family, I love my friends.

However, I don't like working as much as I do for as little as I make. I'm at work 50-60 hours a week, so it dominates my life and cancels out my happiness in other areas. I don't find my job satisfying or fulfilling, yet I feel that I have few other realistic options. I don't like living in a city where we'll never be able to afford to buy a house and where even driving to the grocery store invariably results in some kind of road rage incident.

I think the quality of my life could be better. I dream of having more time to smell the roses, less time rushing and stressing. How to achieve that? Who knows?

[BlackMagicRose]

I am a 6.

My marriage is the only thing that is pulling me through, because I would rate that a 10!!! :D

My job is a 2, only because I am happy to have a job and to making a bit of money, but working 47 hours a week at a job I hate is draining. Getting up at 5:30 in the morning just to be tired all day is terrible.

My health is about a 4. I am having back pain a lot lately, but it could be worse!! My husband is having health issues as well.

My family is about a 5. I miss them so much and I am having issues with certain memebers of my family

Finance rates at a 1. :( We are barely surviving and we are in debt. That makes life really hard.

[miller88]

I gave myself a 7. While there is always room for improvement (need to lose a few pounds, make more money, be more challenged at work), I'm trying to be more "glass half full" with life these days because I know I've got it pretty good in the scheme of things.

[Sin Nombre]

Right now I'm around a 2 or a 3, which is unusual for me. Normally I'd say I'm an 8 or a 9, but I quit smoking this Monday and I'm having a very tough day today. All I want to do (besides smoke) is cry...I even shut my office door at lunchtime and had a nice, healthy bawl.

So, I'm hating life right about now.

[salysaturn]

Well...in 2 months I will be un-employed....

[Tracie]

I said seven, and I guess I'm in the majority! I have a wonderful, full, home life with a great husband and son. My job is okay but I don't make enough money. We have a hard time making ends meet and that adds stress. I know money doesn't buy happiness, but I would be a lot happier without that stress. Or if I could be a SAHM!

[rubyslippers]

I'm a 7. Things are good overall. Work could be better and it's taking us longer to conceive than I thought it would. But I have a lot of things to be thankful for.

[Delta]

For those of you that are 8-10 on the happiness scale, do you feel guilty? I do feel like I am rubbing it in to my friends or on my online journals, but I am really being serious and not making it up! I also sometimes have anxiety that its "too good to be true" and it will all be taken away from me. Anyone else feel this way?I don't know that I feel guilty or am rubbing it in people's faces, but I worry on a daily basis about it being too good to be true and then all being taken away, and it manifests itself as health anxiety. Therefore, I can't give myself a 10! I'd say it's between 8 and 9 for that reason. Otherwise, I am very happy and feel extremely blessed to have my wonderful husband, beautiful children, close-knit extended family, good friends, lovely home in great area, etc. My husband has the same fears (about it being taken away.) So, we just try to be thankful every day for what God has given us.

Also, if my youngest would sleep better then life would be just about perfect. ;)

[jay&erinn]

I'd say a 9. Love DH, 2 wonderful DDs, nice house (although I don't think it'll ever be finished), and a job I love with people I can really get along with.

I'd say there's always room for improvement, but I usually feel like things could be so much worse (comes from working in a doctor's office and seeing patients who's lives are cut way too short), why not enjoy the good parts and try to look on the bright side:
-DD (14 months) hasn't slept more than 3 straight hours since she was born, which means I haven't slept more than 3 straight hours since she was born. The bright side of that is getting much more cuddle time with her throughout the night since she seems to be so independent during the day now. She's just so cute at 3:00 am with her bedhead and sleepy eyes.
- I'm in school for my doctorate, which I wish I didn't have to do. It takes time away from my family and wears me down. However, I've learned so much more that has made me much better at my job and much more helpful to my patients.

There have been a few low points, but luckily they've been fairly short lived (my miscarriages were horrible and I would have rated my happiness much lower during the week to a month afterwards).

I do, sometimes feel guilty for being happy. Co-workers will complain about work or the boss, their husbands, families, etc and most of the time I just let them talk. I think they feel I'm weird at times for not joining in. For a long time I've had the philosophy of, If I'm unhappy, I need to change it. Complaining rarely has gotten me anywhere, where taking steps to change it has. And for those times when things weren't under my control, I'd try to look to other parts of my life that were going well and focus on those.

[albrez]

it depends on the day. i go from a 3-7. like crazycaro i'm weaning off an anti-depressant (celexa) and an anti-anxiety (buspar). it sucks. right now i'm crying over nothing and can't sleep. i also recently lost my job. i have my ups and downs, as you will too. it's tough but you'll get through it!!

[PookiePrincess]

I voted 9.

DH and I are great. We're having our first baby. I'm out of the first trimester and feeling good. I'm back in a wonderful work environment and enjoying myself. I also got to come home early today and nap because I was so tired, so I'm feeling great now!

[AmyE]

I put myself at a 9. I have - right this moment- everything I"ve ever wanted. (Not the fancy car/house/second home in Italy type stuff - but the family, career, etc)

The beauty of it is...I still want them! I'm very lucky, since I have friends who've attained their goals and then decided they actually didn't want "that" anymore, whatever it was.

I'm not at a 10 because the twins are up at night and I'm not getting nearly as much sleep as I'd like to have - in a perfect world - which occasionally makes me cranky. But if someone asked at any given moment are you happy? I'd snap out of it and say YES!

[zhannushka]

I voted 7 (overall).

Family - 10! My family is wonderful, DH is amazing, DS is the best thing that's ever happened to me.

Career - 5. I'm not where I thought I would be at this point in my life. I had much higher aspirations for myself, unfortunately I got sidetracked a little aiong the way...

Money - 1. With me quitting my job to stay at home with DS 7.5 months ago, our bank account has shrunk significantly! Add to that $100K in Student Loans, a mortgage and 2 car payments - our financial situation sucks at this time. :(

So, technically, if you take the mathematical average of the 3 - you'd get about a 5, however - since Family is so much more important to me than the other two, I'll say it's a 7 for now. I expect it to go back up to a 9 once I'm back at work (with a paycheck)! :)

[j*east]

Interesting. I really take to heart Scooter's comments about learning to be happy in the current circumstances, even if less than ideal.

That was the big lesson of my 20s--during which my parents divorced, I lost several friends for various reasons, I was raped and started dealing with PTSD, then was fired from my first job and had to move. Around this time in 1998 I had no job, very weak mental health, poor family support, poor friendship support, and was living in a new city where I basically knew no one (my two friends who encouraged me to move there ditched me when they started dating).

For the next several years, I learned to be happy on my own. I realized that while a great job is wonderful, it's not necessary to be happy, nor is romance, nor is ideal family, nor is perfect friends. For me, it's really about all the little things I can do/see/appreciate every day. I spent a lot of time--years and years--living by myself, spending most of my free time alone, and figuring out how to be happy. I got back into my chosen career, something I wasn't sure I'd do since I failed at it once before, and became successful. I rebuilt my family relationships and cultivated new friendships. I married a wonderful person who understands and appreciates my odd personality and set of issues. Somehow I learned (and am still learning) how to share my life with another person without constantly protecting/asserting myself, as I had to do when I lived alone.

The only thing that's making me unhappy right now is not being pregnant yet, after 16 months or so of trying and various interventions. In fact, I've been really sad about this at times. I'm hoping now to learn to be happy even without becoming pregnant, the way that I had to learn to be happy with so little before. It's really interesting to me how happiness seems to be based on the perception of what you want vs. what you think you have. I guess I'm hoping to focus more on what I have, not what I lack.

[laeberge]

I chose 6.

Overall, I'm a happy person. I love my boyfriend, I love my family (they're wonderful!), I love my friends. But, at the same time, there's plenty of uncertainty in my future and there's just so much that needs to be done and done right this semester of school. LSAT studying, law school applications, my internship at the prosecutor's office, and my other classes all have to be attended to this semester. Plus, this is my third and last year of undergrad and as much as I'm glad to be getting done early, suddenly there's 14 different classes I want to take, 50 places I want to visit on campus, and 100 other things that I know just can't fit into one school year. Ahhh, I hate being in limbo.

[kdotp]

When I think of how blessed I am, I *think* I should be a 9-10, but I *feel* like a 6, so that's how I voted.

This is me, too, but I'd even go so far as I feel only about a 5.