the hot goddess

Springing Spring and Happy Things in Midlife

Today is the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s also International Day of Happiness, recognized by the United Nations since 2013 to call attention to the importance of happiness in people’s lives around the world.

Um. Yeah. About that…

Spring, rife with nature’s new beginnings as it leaves the dreary doldrums of winter behind, can often take people to their happy place. But can happiness co-exist with hate, violence, tyranny, war, and despair? Can we be disgusted and enraged and afraid, and still find space for happiness? I think so. It depends on how you define happiness, I guess.

In this post I asked 10 bloggers to weigh in on what happiness was to them. Their responses reminded us that happiness is found within ourselves, in external small moments, and through helping others.

For me, a solo retiree and immigrant in midlife (OK, fine, now it’s “senior,” but let’s not get picky), gratitude is connected to happiness. I am grateful for first flowers, lingering love, and the surprise sighting of sunset after a day of steady rain. I am grateful for dreams that have come true. I am grateful for my home, friends, and partner in Portugal. I’m grateful for my home, friends, and family in the United States, even as I fear for their future there. Even in the face of uncertainty and disappointment and anger, I still find happiness shining through when I remind myself to stay mindful and look for it.

A good laugh also takes me to my happy place. Science has shown that laughter really is the best medicine. So here’s my gift to you. A giggle or two in celebration of new beginnings and new outlooks.

Happy Spring. Happy International Day of Happiness.

These graphics and memes are from various sources, as noted, or from friends who passed them along from unknown social media accounts.

I thought this graphic captured the essence of “Happy“ surrounded by bleak “WTF?” pretty well.

Source: Graphicspic.com
Enough said
Checking on those first flowers is joy.
…before a long walk, hike, bike ride, Zodiac cruise…
Yes!! OMG, liars!!!
I am learning hiker-speak the hard way.
“Not far” my ass.
I am that one friend, and this is exactly how I look. Lawd help me.
Happy to have found the perfect pantyhose for me. Great fit for more than a year and still going strong. Hand-wash only.
Me after watching/reading the news
And in related news
Who needs AI?

Also a possible news-watching fantasy strategy
Fuck yeah! Can’t find our happy place without being true to who we are.
Music and movement always make me happy.

Unless I’m trying to learn some choreographed mess with other people out in public. That makes everyone else giddy with laughter.
And don’t you forget it, Happy Girls and Guys. Comeback year or not, knowing/accepting/loving who we are is key to happiness.
Thank you, aging, for this gift.
My happy place is walking along the ocean in Portugal.

Thank you for reading!❤️ May your spring season hold many small joys and unexpected awakenings.

The Hot Goddess

Instagram: retired_rewired_inspired

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33 comments

  3. Obrigada for this blog and for your wonderful photos. I have been in great despair about what is going on in the United States and how it is impacting many people I love and causing the suffering of countless others. Your photos made me laugh out loud. Thank you, thank you❤️

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  7. Love this happy and grateful post, Natalie! I especially love, “Even in the face of uncertainty and disappointment and anger, I still find happiness shining through when I remind myself to stay mindful and look for it.“

    Yes, yes, yes! Thanks for the smiles and laughs!

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  9. Awesome! The one about “Men Are Like Pantyhose” made me laugh so hard. 😂 By the way, I just read this morning that the U.S. is ranked 24th in the 2025 World Happiness Report, dropping one spot from last year. No bueno, but like you said, “happiness is found within ourselves.”

    Then I read this from Seneca last night: “He that possesses prudence is also self-restrained; he that possesses self-restraint is also unwavering; he that is unwavering is unperturbed; he that is unperturbed is free from sadness; he that is free from sadness is happy. Therefore, the prudent man is happy, and prudence is sufficient to constitute the happy life.”

    I have a long way to go, but I’ll call it a win if I can avoid my wife looking through her fork.

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  10. Happy happiness day and happy Spring! Yes, we can be happy in spite of what’s going on, it just takes more thoughtfulness and really being in the moment. I love your trekking poles, I use mine whenever I go for a walk, even on flat ground. Happy for you to have a partner! 😉 Glad he’s a good brand of pantyhose!

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  12. Happy Spring Natalie! 💐

    When I was worried about something, my grandmother used to tell me that everything will work itself out, and inevitably it always did. During these troublesome days I try to remember her advice, and not worry, or despair. I believe the best revenge is living well, and finding joy and happiness in our daily lives, and sharing that with others. We can hold the light.

    ✌🏽&🙏🏽

    Jametta

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  13. Happy Spring Natalie! 💐

    Whenever I was worried about something, my grandmother used to tell me that everything would work itself out, and inevitably it always did. During these troublesome days, I try to remember her advice and to not worry, or despair. I believe the best revenge is living well, and finding joy and happiness in our daily lives. If we can share that with others, we can hold the light.🕯️

    ✌🏽&🙏🏽

    Jametta

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  14. Sometimes I have to compartmentalize things so that the negatives do not destroy me. My biggest compartment is for humor.

    I have a friend who always wanted to meet at 6:30am for our long hikes. Oh, I am up at 6:30 in the morning but certain body functions are not working until later and I am not going anywhere until my body takes care of its business.

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