Life can be hard. These Australians share their ingredients for happiness

As part of the ABC's Your Say project, we've heard from thousands of people telling us that life is hard and it's getting harder.Financially, many are doing it tough, as the cost of paying mortgages, rent, food, petrol and energy bills goes up.And we've heard from you that life is getting more complicated, whether it's trying to get a loved one the aged care they need or navigating the NDIS system.You've told us you are increasingly worried about global events and the environment.Even just managing basic day-to-day life can be tricky, like trying to keep kids off screens or finding the time to exercise.Most of us just want a happy life, but "comparison culture" and the high visibility of other people's lives on social media can compound a sense of anxiety about the future.We asked a range of people what they think the key ingredients for that happy life are.Some are universal, others are personal.You might find some inspiration from what these Australians listed as their ingredients for a happy life.Shaelyn Van Brecht, 32, dairy farmer and single mum to oneKnowing that people are there in times of need has been vital for Ringarooma dairy farmer Shaelyn Van Brecht. (ABC News: Laurissa Smith)1. My people: Time and time again, my people have been the reason that I have been able to get through all the things that we've had going on. I'm very grateful for them. Phone calls, or it might be a chat beside the cattle crush, or it's a post-netball chat. All of it helps, and I am eternally thankful for them.2. Calm home:There is so much of me now that is very thankful. I have a calm house, and I come home and I can just be here, and I am very thankful for the effort I've put in and for others that I've asked to help me build a calm home.3. Supportive community: All of the things that have been going on, people are always checking in with me. I am someone who doesn't always ask for help, but I've had to learn to and so I do really appreciate when people do stop at the supermarket or the coffee shop or check in with a text message to make sure that we're travelling alright. And if we're not, what they can do to help — so that is phenomenal as well.4. Yummy food:I love to cook for people. It's what I love doing. Now that I'm feeling a bit more like myself, it's really nice that I feel like I can cook for people and give them food when they're going through a rough time, and I love eating yummy food. It makes a really shit day better. Very thankful for good coffee as well.I feel like in the last six months I have come a long, long way. I see a counsellor regularly, and so that process has helped me to figure out who I am and what I would like my home to look like for my son and I, or for anyone who visits our home. So I feel like in the last six months I've worked really hard to identify these things and know that that's what fuels my soul, and so to keep working hard to achieve them because that's what makes me, me.Wayne Crawford, 81, retired journalistWayne Crawford finds joy in his enduring friendships. (Supplied: David Brill)1. Good aged care: I fought long and hard to stay in my apartment. Eighteen months ago it became clear I was not physically able to look after myself. I ended up coming into what is technically a nursing home. I've got my own bachelor pad with 24/7 room service. I am extremely content, very happy here. The staff are marvellous; they've become my family. The atmosphere here is just not like a nursing home. I come and go as I like.2. Friendships and family: Since Marg, my wife, died, I miss her terribly, but I am grateful for the friendships that have endured and the people who have continued to nurture me. I have regular coffee mornings with anything up to a dozen or so friends who come in, and we solve the problems of the world and drink caffeine and have a good relationship and good time together. I can't travel myself much anymore because I am confined to a wheelchair, but I have the good fortune to have made a friend … who has a maxi taxi and seems to devote his life to chauffeuring me around. He has changed my life. I still go to rock-and-roll concerts at night … with other old rocker friends. Life is pretty good.3. Career: I couldn't have asked for a better employer or better profession. I thoroughly enjoyed being a political journalist and political editor. As they say, if you enjoy your work, it's not really work, and that's the way I looked at my career. It wasn't work; it was a lifestyle, and I still look back very fondly on it and have maintained a lot of friendships, not just journalists, but many politicians, political leaders who have continued to be my friends. You can't put a price on that.4. Financial security: I am not rich, and I don't have a huge superannuation fund to dip into, but I've got enough to keep me going. And although it's fairly expensive to go into aged care as I am … for what I get, I don't think it's at all unreasonable. They look after all my meals, they do all my washing, I don't have to go to the supermarket.I am very happy. I think a lot of it is to do with the fact that I've decided to be happy and decided to be content because life is good. I can still do what I want. I have friends who are happy to go out to lunch or to a concert in the evening.Alex Betheras, 28, stay-at-home mum, with one child and another on the wayAlex Betheras, who lives in Ross in Tasmania, says it's important to have moments every day when you do something that brings you pure joy. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)1. Family:Whether that's a larger extended family or a partner you have chosen, that's a really important ingredient.2. Community:I think there are a lot of different communities that you can find, whether that's through school or sport or maybe an interest like the Men's Shed or the Fire Brigade, or even a play group.3. Time outside:Whether you enjoy gardening or going for a walk, just being out in nature is very important. I spent a lot of time outside. We're on a larger property so we try and grow a lot of our own vegetables and fruit. We have pet sheep, and we are out amongst the animals.4. The little things:Whether that's your morning cup of coffee or spending five minutes just doodling at the end of the night, just finding a little thing that brings you a lot of joy and making time to prioritise doing those small things. For me, it would be baking. I really enjoy it. Having something I can share with other people — that ties back into the family and the community.I feel very lucky that I get to spend most of my time doing the things that bring me a lot of joy. So I really enjoy being a parent. I always wanted to have children, and I wanted to be a very hands-on parent, and I love organising the activities and hosting this playgroup. Having a child gives you a lot of perspective on their own personality; they're figuring out what their own likes and dislikes are. So you get to sit and watch and see what they're doing. I remember when I was a kid, I used to love drawing, and you rediscover those parts of your life.Joe Abernethy, 25, ICT security analystJoe Abernethy, originally from England, left his job to travel and see the world. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)1. Family:Family is a big thing, because obviously you've got that close connection with your family. Having a supportive family helps me. The majority of my family are back in England, moving all the way out here (Australia) is quite hard. Obviously, the internet and technology are good these days, but (not being able to) see them in person is very hard.2. Travelling:I am currently travelling. I'm from Bolton, Manchester, England. It's just the excitement and adventure, not knowing what you're going to find. Obviously, Australia is a beautiful place. It's just nice to be able to get out and travel, meet people, see opportunities, see things.3. Hobbies:I do a lot of sport. Football, rugby, just any sport really. I used to be a semi-professional swimmer. I'm just passionate about sport.4. Dream job: I've left my job now to do some travelling, but I was in government doing security, and I just met so many lovely people with so many different cultures and backgrounds. It just opened my eyes to different opportunities.Travelling is the big thing for me, just travelling and seeing the world. You've only got one life, one chance; you might as well just see it before you get old.