These lovely moments nourish your soul and remind you that the little things do matter more than you think. And they help you appreciate the present moment with more mindfulness and gratitude. Don’t miss out on these moments by focusing solely on the big wins and momentous occasions that make a life-changing impact. Even on a bad day, seize the opportunity to recognize a simple pleasure right in front of you. In fact, simple pleasures can help you recover from a bad day — and make the good days even better.
What Are Simple Pleasures?
The old saying to “stop and smell the roses” reminds us not to neglect or ignore the simple pleasures surrounding us. Although we all don’t necessarily relish the same little moments, these mood-boosting doses of joy have some things in common. Most simple pleasures:
Are free to all or cost very littleDon’t take much timeAre available almost anywhereOften appeal to the sensesOften produce emotional satisfaction, awe, bliss, or gratitude
Daily pressures and the weight of your personal problems can make you blind to these pleasures. You might feel your life responsibilities prevent you from tuning in to pleasurable moments — or you feel guilty if you do tune in. Perhaps you tell yourself to delay fun or happiness until you check everything off your task list, but this mindset is counterproductive. By avoiding small doses of joy throughout the day, you become vulnerable to greater stress and dissatisfaction with life. You may even come to believe that life is joyless.
How to Notice Life’s Little Pleasures
To be more receptive to the little pleasures life has to offer, make an effort to pay attention to the present moment. Take moments throughout the day to focus on all that surrounds you that is positive, beautiful, and meaningful. Your conscious effort to notice the here and now gives you a break from worries about the future and regrets about the past. When you connect with the present moment, you have the clarity to appreciate even the smallest gifts all around you. Here are some ways to shift your focus and engage with the present moment:
Wiggle your feet and toes to ground yourself in your body.Stand up and stretch your body.Pay attention to any stressful or negative thoughts.Take ten slow, calming breaths.Give yourself a moment of quiet, free from distractions.
105 Simple Pleasures to Savor
When you feel warm and fuzzy about the little things, you invite more happiness into your life. Don’t let simple pleasures like these slip by unnoticed.
- Eating warm cookies just out of the oven
- Slipping into fresh, clean bed sheets
- Putting on new socks
- Finding new pants that fit
- Holding a door open for someone
- Finding something that was lost
- Meeting a friend for lunch
- Hugging loved ones
- Planting seeds in spring
- Napping on the couch with your cat
- Holding a baby
- Eating ice cream on a hot day
- Relaxing in a bubble bath
- Watching someone blow out birthday candles
- Passing out candy on Halloween
- Coming home to a clean house
- Opening a fortune cookie
- Finding a good parking spot
- Reading a book with a satisfying ending
- Guessing who did it in a mystery story
- Singing along with a favorite song
- Giving unwanted clothes or household items to someone who needs them
- Petting an animal
- Solving a problem
- Pausing to appreciate an amazing sunrise or sunset
- Listening to waves crash on the shore
- Discovering a new food you find delicious
- Receiving kind or appreciative comments from people you’ve helped
- Getting invited to a party
- Fixing something that was broken
- Listening to the breeze pass through the trees
- Keeping a diary
- Comforting someone who is sad
- Finding money in the laundry
- Seeing someone you care about reaching a goal
- Being surprised with a gift
- Getting a big wagging welcome home from your dog
- Watching little kids hunt for Easter eggs
- Listening to birds sing
- Seeing squirrels raid a bird feeder
- Seeing a rainbow
- Feeling enthusiasm for the day
- Being told that you look good today
- Getting complimented on a job well done
- Putting up holiday decorations
- Lighting scented candles
- Enjoying your hobbies
- Building something with your hands
- Watching people open presents 50 Of The Most Interesting Hobbies To Try This Year 67 Fun Things To Do At Night When You’re Bored 21 Extraordinary Things To Be Passionate About In 2021
- Pausing to admire a bee working in a flower
- Getting sunny weather on your day off
- Feeling refreshed after a good night’s sleep
- Knowing that your bills are paid
- Picking fruit off a tree
- Receiving a text or email from an old friend
- Reaching a money-saving goal
- Knowing the answer to a question
- Taking a walk with a friend
- Savoring the aroma of fresh coffee
- Putting on clothes warm from the dryer
- Jumping into a pool on a hot day
- Admiring beautiful landscapes
- Laughing with your family
- Kicking back in a recliner when you’re exhausted
- Smelling freshly cut grass
- Soaking pancakes in syrup
- Seeing improvement as you practice something
- Listening to music
- Spending time alone with your thoughts
- Doing something to improve your health
- Feeling invigorated after exercising
- Taking a hot shower when you’re especially grubby
- Getting only green lights when you drive
- Finding out something costs less than you thought
- Napping in a hammock
- Breathing fresh, clean air
- Getting hungry when you smell good food cooking
- Knowing that people love you
- Continuing family traditions
- Feeling confident about doing a task
- Teaching someone how to do something
- Watching a good movie
- Feeling safe at home
- Volunteering in your community
- Seeing results after a long effort
- Seeing a shooting star
- Mailing goodie packages to friends and loved ones
- Watching a garden grow
- Feeling accepted for who you are
- Massaging lotion into dry skin
- Having the right tool for the job
- Being listened to
- Throwing away useless clutter
- Feeding your pets
- Enjoying the sound of rain falling
- Cracking a joke
- Finding a cloud’s silver lining
- Remembering to be kind to yourself
- Giving directions to someone who is lost
- Indulging in a leisurely breakfast
- Trying something new and liking it
- Arriving on time
- Discovering a shortcut
- Celebrating a friend’s success
What Small Pleasures Bring You the Most Happiness?
Even if you struggle with living in the moment, you’ve surely taken pleasure in minor victories and beautiful things. People may debate about the best simple pleasures of life. But what matters are the pleasures that bring you joy and heal your spirit. Take a few minutes right now to look around you. What simple pleasures do you notice? What is right in front of you that lifts you up with gratitude, happiness, or fulfillment?
