‘My Idea Of Happiness Has Changed'

These days, happiness is both a subject for research and a state of mind. Author Veronica Henry shares her sources of contentment over the years

- Veronica Henry

When I was a little girl, my idea of happiness was books and baking. A day spent making a cake followed by curling up with the likes of Louisa May Alcott or Laura Ingalls Wilder was perfection. I was quiet and shy, not particularly physical or adventurous, so I liked to stay in my comfort zone.

As I grew up, I became more daring and outgoing. In my twenties and early thirties, I strove for career success, a big house, the latest clothes, a flashy car. I was working in TV as a script editor, I had drive and ambition, and it made me happy to achieve and acquire. I’m not ashamed of it. It was the ’80s, after all!

I was working long, unsociable hours, so I took up horse riding – another childhood passion – to relieve the stress. One afternoon, I discovered my favourite horse at riding school, Marmalade, was for sale. On impulse, I bought him! He brought me hours of contentment, grooming him and polishing his tack, and trotting around the lanes – time to think, time to be myself. It was the perfect contrast to the demands of scripts and actors and producers.