I find happiness in many things, such as achieving small goals. Every evening before I go to bed I always have a target for the following day and it can be as simple or as complex as you like. Recently, after having kids, I get a lot of happiness out of seeing them happy, laughing and playing.
I think one of happiest days of my life was getting married.
Not just because I was marrying my wife, it's probably the last time I had most of my loved ones around.
I do go about life in a little bubble, trying to be as happy as I can. I get happy having a nice homecooked meal and glass of wine.
Especially during lockdown when it's hard to be happy, your mental health takes a bit of a hit, [so] I threw myself into exercise and training. I made my garage into a little home gym and have an online cycling programme so I can race virtually on my bicycle.
I got pretty into that, daily I would be riding, and that would make me happy because you can see the amount of work you put in, you see the results, you can feel yourself getting better and stronger.
I do associate exercise with giving a sense of achievement and that makes me happy.
It's hard to draw parallels between happiness and my job because it comes hand in hand. For my job I have a target, and in more recent years, it's been winning a world title. You get happy when you achieve that goal but also all the mini goals along the way like winning a race or having a good lap time or qualifying in the front row of the grid.
I'm a terrible odd job man but [during lockdown] I decided to paint my garage a dark grey inside, to give more of a gym feeling to it. Once I'd done it, I'd felt a real sense of pride.
I've had my fair share of up and down days. This offseason, I've had tough days because in my job, it [races] keeps getting put off and delayed, you're training and there's no end in sight. If we're all abiding by the rules and doing as we say it's a pretty hard and lonely life. I've had hard days but exercise helps. Also staying away from social media a little bit. I looked at the function on my iPhone to see how much screen time I use and was really shocked. I decided I would try to do less of that and devote more time to myself and the kids.
I recognise when my wife is having a day where it's not personal and she's just having a tough day and we try and relieve each other a little bit as much as we can.
I'd check in on people who might be on their own and ask how they are. I've done that to a few friends and to keep up to date with close ones as well because a phone call costs nothing.
Follow Jonathan on twitter @jonathanrea
'It's the little things - like family, friends, fresh air and lie ins'
Rebecca McKinney (34) lives in Belfast and is part of the Cool FM Breakfast Show, weekday mornings, 6-10am
More than ever before, the little things make me happy. Family, friends, our radio show, fresh air and lie ins!
My younger brother and I had an amazing childhood. My parents worked so hard to build a life for us.
We spent all our weekends outdoors; riding bikes and climbing trees.
My oldest friends have known me for 20 years.
It's special and rare to have grown up with a group of girls through all the different stages of life together.
We have too many happy memories to count.
Our radio show on Cool FM is a very happy place for me. The three of us are like family and the boys make me laugh every single morning (even if I've woken up on the wrong side of the bed for that 4.30am alarm).
Lockdown and the last 18 months have taught me that being content in your own company can be a source of happiness - well, that and rosé wine and Pilates!
This pandemic has undoubtedly made me realise even more, how lucky I am to have such a kind people in my life.
I was shielding for five months last year after being ill and the little parcels, treats, letters and flowers that arrived on my doorstep from the friends I couldn't see and was missing terribly was something I will never forget.
Last year was a very unhappy year.
I am proud of myself for working through it and trying to stay positive.
Walking and talking kept me sane.
I now try to focus on the step in front of me instead of the whole staircase.
Trust the timing of your life!
Follow Rebecca on Instagram @rebecca_mckinney1
'We've used the time to think outside the box and go back to basics'
Samara Prentice (37) from outside Lisburn is a personal stylist and image consultant
I am happy spending quality time with the ones I love - my husband, Paul and my four children, Jude, Ollie, Jesse and Cole. Paul and I both come from close families and we are so fortunate that our parents and siblings are friends as well. We have used lockdown to 'think outside the box' and go back to basics. We've learnt that the simple life brings the most pleasure.
I have been so fortunate to live a genuinely happy life. As a child, I remember feeling so loved and contented. My parents were so kind and caring and invested so much time in my brother and I.
I also loved my university days, I felt so happy and carefree back then. It was the beginning of self-discovery. The craic was always great and I lived with the best bunch of guys and girls, many of whom are still my friends today. I've always been an avid traveller and Paul and I have been very fortunate to have visited six out of the seven continents. We had so many plans for this year to travel both as a family and as a couple but we are looking forward to showing the children more of the country we live in instead.
We made a decision early on in lockdown to be positive every single day. We have found so much hope and comfort in the great outdoors. As a family, we are currently building our dream home so from early on in lockdown we have spent valuable family time exploring our new surroundings. I also learnt how to meditate in lockdown and it has proved to be totally invaluable. Like many things, it was on my never-ending 'to do' list before now but lockdown has helped us learn more about simple pleasures.
I am so fortunate to be able to do what I do. I really pride myself on reaching out and helping both men and women every day. When I see a client's confidence and visibility grow, that makes me so happy. I will never forget a beautiful long-term client I worked with who was recovering from breast cancer. We worked together to rebuild her confidence and shop for a wardrobe that made her feel confident enough to return to work.
The last time we worked together, I dressed her for a special family event. Sadly, her cancer had returned and she was feeling too weak for an in-person shop. I worked with her virtually and sourced a fabulous Karen by Simonsen two-piece. She felt incredible on the night and sent me some photographs afterwards. We kept in regular contact, as she updated me on how she felt her confidence has really soared during our time together, she also liked to update me on any new purchases she had made by herself. I loved our chats. My clients often become friends. Sadly, she passed away just before lockdown. She always talked about how I helped her but in truth, she brought me so much joy too.
Follow Samara on Instagram @evolvebysamara; evolvebysamara.com
'Getting positive feedback and messages of thanks make my day'
Wellbeing advocate and writer Belinda O'Neill (43) from Co Down owns creative brand Be Inspired To Be
I'm blessed to have a wonderful husband, son, parents, family, friends and colleagues, whose company and friendship always makes me smile and ultimately happy.
I believe that the state of happiness is derived from within, it is momentary.
I aim to acknowledge those moments that bring me joy, for they create our happy memories. From a career perspective, it too creates happiness. I am a full-time bank manager; however, in 2017 I set up my own inspirational creative brand called Be Inspired To Be. I write original inspirational quotes and poems. On September 1, 2019, I began writing every morning before work and I started sharing my words across my social media pages. My writing makes me happy and I gain additional delight, from the positive engagement of my daily words, from people all around the globe.
I feel blessed to have an abundance of happy memories, all firmly 'banked' in my mind.
A standout memory of great joy has to be the birth of my son, Leo, now aged 12.
Having had major gynaecological issues since the age of 16, to have him was a true miracle and a blessing. He is my greatest source of inspiration and makes me and my husband smile, every single day.
Another miraculous and happy moment, was when a very close family member, defied all the odds and walked out of hospital following major cancer surgery. They spent two months in hospital, 35 days of which were in ICU. With their fighting spirit, to the amazement of all of the medics, they recovered, which was simply wonderful to witness.
I strive to find happiness in the simple things, people, places, nature, good food, a chilled glass of wine and of course my writing.
The aim of my writing is to try to make a positive difference, to spread a little hope, inspiration and light, in what can be a turbulent world. Getting positive feedback and messages of thanks, really makes my day.
I am also an avid fundraiser and in 2017 and 2018, I organised and hosted two sell-out charity events, with the support of my sister. We raised £14,000, we donated to several charities and took on the task to complete two major refurbishments of the two family/ consultation rooms, within the Intensive Care Unit of Craigavon Area Hospital, the unit which saved our family member's life. The joy and happiness these projects created, is unquantifiable. I recently heard that the rooms became even more valuable during the peak periods of the pandemic, with the ICU doctors using them, to gain a little respite.
Life is a continuous journey filled with highs, stable and low moments. All of which are normal and part of our individual paths.
One of the most challenging and emotional times, was when my close family member received their cancer diagnosis back in January 2017. However, this was an awakening moment for me, it led me to establishing Be Inspired To Be. I used my writing as a form of self-therapy, turning those anxious and negative thoughts into positive affirmations and inspirational words, sharing them, to help others who may also have been going through difficulties. From a challenging life event, came a positive internal shift in me.
Every challenge builds resilience and prepares us better for further challenges, which will inevitably, arrive.
The biggest advice I can give, is to focus on the present, on your blessings and on your precious people.
There is always happiness to be found, through darkness there is light. If you are going through a difficult time, make time to pause, to connect with your breath, to restore inner calm.
Follow Belinda on Facebook @beinspiredtobe and Instagram @beinspiredtobe_
