Are you content with your life? Are you happy?

United States
May 20, 2017 8:43am CST
There was a time I would have said 'no' to those questions, but that was many years ago when I was in a relationship that probably would have been considered abuse. Not physical, but verbal and emotional. Back in those days I was thin at 110 pounds. We went out to dinner and were sitting at the bar having a drink. The bartender brought out some snacks and I was told, "You are getting fat you don't need to eat those snacks." Well, I broke into tears of course since he said it loud enough for other patrons to hear. That was how it went for over two years. Why did I stick it out? He constantly told me, "No one will ever want you so do what I tell you" or "I'm the only one who loves you" and any variation of that theme. Once we went our separate ways I swore off men for a while...I had to get my head screwed back on and get my self confidence back. I did all that and I swore I would never be a doormat ever again. In order to find love you have to love yourself. I loved myself and was happy with my life. I was independent and that's when it happened. Friends set up us and here we are 20 years later. So yes - I am very content with my life. Would I change anything? No, everything that happened to me has made me the person I am today. I may come on tough sometimes, but there is still a tender part that shows itself at times Are you content with your life? Photo from Pixabay
20 people like this
21 responses
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
20 May 17
I'm sorry you had to go through that. I have dated men that weren't to nice to me so I quit them. Thankfully I never married one of them. Then I met my future husband. I had an instant crush on him. It's quite a story from there. He was married so I never let on that I had this crush. I would never do anything to another woman where her man was concerned. A couple of years later I heard he was getting a divorce. Yes!!! And he had a girlfriend. So again I said nothing. Another couple of years later I heard he was single again. Then I told some mutual friends how I felt and the chase was on lol. Poor guy never had a chance lol. I waited for him to be single for 5 long years. We worked together. We have now been married 29 years at the end of May and have 2 beautiful boys. He is the most kind and gentle man I have ever met. I am a bit more high strung then he is. He takes everything I have to give good or bad. He is a gentle soul. I have often described him as so mellow he is practically comatose lol. He is the perfect man for me and we are forever. So in answer to your question yes I'm very happy with my life.
2 people like this
• United States
20 May 17
My first husband was a bore and that was followed by the guy I described - then my current husband who sounds very much like yours. He is very mellow and hardly raises his voice yet alone talk nasty to me or anyone. When I accepted that blind date with him I never thought I would wind up married to him and living in the south worry free. Your husband sounds perfect for you and it proves there is someone for each of us.
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
21 May 17
@AbbyGreenhill I'm so glad you found your current hubby Abby sounds like you did your time and deserve a man like that. I got lucky too but like to tease my hubby, I tell him not to give me a hard time cos I waited so long to have him, he just laughs at me. He never gives me a hard time.
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
20 May 17
Yes and no. Went through the same as you though and glad thats over.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 May 17
Seems like a lot of us 'went thru' stuff similar. Life gets better as time goes on.
• United States
20 May 17
@Courtlynn You're young, you have lots of time ahead.
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
20 May 17
@AbbyGreenhill sometimes. Not for everyone. But glad it did for you.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85496)
• United States
21 May 17
I think I'm content. I'm not happy, but not unhappy. I think circumstances are sometimes hard to negate when it comes to feelings. However, being content makes me feel okay, and I'm good with that.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85496)
• United States
21 May 17
@AbbyGreenhill I'd like to think so. I like to exclude the moments loneliness gets to me.
• United States
21 May 17
I think being content has a little piece of happiness. After all you can't be content if you are not a little happy right?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458179)
• Switzerland
21 May 17
Very well said, we have to love ourselves first in order to find the real love. Yes, I am content with my life. May be I would change a few little things if I could, but I am happy anyway.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 May 17
Yes, loving oneself is step one. We all have little things we would like to change. I would like to have warm weather all year round!!!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458179)
• Switzerland
21 May 17
@AbbyGreenhill Changing the weather is something we cannot have. If I could go back in time, I will skip helping some who did not deserve my help.
@JudyEv (325809)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 May 17
Some people, like your husband, can be so cruel. It must be a huge consolation that you've had 20 happy years since.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 May 17
He wasn't my husband. He was an in-between husbands boyfriend. If we had married it would not have lasted.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 May 17
@JudyEv That's ok. Lots of people thought we were married.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325809)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 May 17
@AbbyGreenhill Sorry - there I go, assuming again!
@ShifaLk (17817)
• India
20 May 17
Life has been really tough to me for last year so now I am strong and I am content with the life
1 person likes this
• United States
20 May 17
That is good that you are now content! Good for you, keep it up.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 May 17
@ShifaLk That's wonderful.
1 person likes this
@ShifaLk (17817)
• India
21 May 17
@AbbyGreenhill Truly ! I'm more than happy with GOD now.. :)
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47066)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
21 May 17
I'm sorry that you were in such a horrible relationship. I'm glad that you got out of it. I am pretty happy with my life for the most part. There are a few things I am working on to change, but for the most part, I am happy with the way that my life is.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 May 17
Thank you, that was a long time ago and I learned a lot from that experience and it's behind me
1 person likes this
@excellence7 (3647)
• Mauritius
20 May 17
No I am not. Unfortunately, I am. Though, I am trying hard to be.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 May 17
Keep trying, it will get better.
@much2say (53958)
• Los Angeles, California
20 May 17
I am glad you are now in a happier place. Growing up, my dad was not particularly encouraging. He was rather negative - and kids take these things to heart and remember for a long time (still do). I never felt like I had a "happy" childhood. It wasn't til I was nearly an adult and independent that I could build up my confidence and truly create my own happiness. I too am in a much happier place now . . . I have a husband who is loving to me and our kids.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53958)
• Los Angeles, California
22 May 17
@AbbyGreenhill I'm sure that's how he meant it to be, but it affected me in such a negative way - I had such a low self esteem for the longest time. But now I'm better .
• United States
20 May 17
Sometimes dad's scare kids that way. My father was always hard on me, but it was out of wanting me to succeed. Glad you are in a good place!
1 person likes this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
20 May 17
Written down, it looks so simple and so obvious that he was wrong for you. But people like that grind away at your confidence piece by piece.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 May 17
I knew it wasn't good, but to my way of thinking back then it was better than nothing. Funny thing, he criticized fat people and made fun of them all the time and I saw a photo of him on Facebook a few years ago and he's fat and his two kids (adults now) are fat. I guess what comes around does go around.
@just4him (306236)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
20 May 17
I'm glad you got out of your first relationship. I went through the verbal abuse as well. Today I am a happy and contented middle aged woman. I do love myself. I would like another positive relationship, but that's up to God.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 May 17
I wasn't looking and that's when it happened. I was 49 and had no desire to be married again and here we are married 18 years.
1 person likes this
@just4him (306236)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
20 May 17
@AbbyGreenhill That's wonderful.
1 person likes this
@mikalf (159)
• United Arab Emirates
20 May 17
Yes, I am. There would be times that I won't be but I always try and think about the things that I have been blessed with. And I also remind myself that it is human nature to always want something that I do not have. This is something that I do and is effective to make me appreciate what I have currently in my life.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 May 17
Sounds like you have a good handle on your life and your feelings, good!!
1 person likes this
@mikalf (159)
• United Arab Emirates
21 May 17
We all try, @AbbyGreenhill, right? Hahha. There are times that we just really can't handle everything but I just keep those things in mind everytime.
@Essjayd (1568)
21 May 17
I'm glad you split with that guy and went on to meet the one who was right for you. I had a similar relationship no physical abuse but someone who gradually destroyed me and made me doubt the person I am.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 May 17
Relationships can have a positive or negative impact on our entire life. No one should do that to another person.
1 person likes this
@VyckyT (64)
22 May 17
I'm not I feel like I'm stuck with a lot of negativity and abuse around me, but I'm working to change that. I really want to work my happiness and my own self love
1 person likes this
• United States
22 May 17
Keep working on it.....and it will get better.
@LeaPea2417 (36442)
• Toccoa, Georgia
20 May 17
I am glad you found the right man through your friends. I am happy with my life, I am in the right place that I should be.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 May 17
That's good and that what life is about.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
20 May 17
Yes, I can honestly say that I am content with my life. Except for one thing " not as healthy as I used to be". But beyond my control.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 May 17
Right, healthy. You are right we can't do much about that...but otherwise you have your family and your gardening and walking!
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
20 May 17
Yes I am. I have been there and done that with the abusive man. I refuse to be treated like crap by people now. I am kind but no longer a door mat.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 May 17
No one should be a door mat - man or woman.
@Mike197602 (15487)
• United Kingdom
20 May 17
No and no But I'm working on it I'm in a better place than a year ago but have a lot of progress to make yet.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 May 17
As long as you keep moving in a positive direction Mike it will get better and better.
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
20 May 17
With regards to the question in your title, my answer is I'm not. You see I've been living the hard way and I want to experience the leisure of living.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 May 17
If you are young, you have a long time to reach the leisure part of life.
@Slayqueen (918)
• India
20 May 17
Even I think the same. Everything happens for a reason. If we didn't take that step in the past then we would've never realised anything and suffer for the rest of our lives.. I am happy with my life. But sometimes I worry about my relationship. I don't know if it's going in the right direction or not..
1 person likes this
• United States
20 May 17
Only you know if your relationship is going in the direction you want it to go.