I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how to appreciate the smaller moments in life. The past few years have been tough for most of us, and life really has thrown some unexpected things our way. This can make it harder to live in the moment and enjoy the beautiful things all around us.
Today, I wanted to talk a little more about the simple pleasures in life. What they are, why it’s so worth stopping to notice them, and some ideas on where you can find these simple joys in everyday life.
I’ve really enjoyed writing this and it helped me rediscover some things I love, so I hope it does the same for you too.
What is a simple pleasure?
A simple pleasure is anything that brings you a sense of joy, no matter how ordinary. It can be absolutely anything — the beauty of taking the long walk home to enjoy the sights, or brewing your favorite coffee.
What’s wonderful about life’s simple pleasures is that they are everywhere around us. Each ordinary, everyday moment has the potential to feel like a simple pleasure of life if it means something to you. The little things like smiling at someone as they walk past you or feeling the warm breeze on your skin aren’t the big memories we remember, but they help make them feel special and more real.
Why we should stop and notice the simple pleasures in life
We live in such a busy world that we often don’t have time to reflect on what’s really going on around us. That means we miss out on so many of these simple joys and tiny moments that could give us that “warm and fuzzy” feeling. Here’s why it’s worth looking for and appreciating these moments more intentionally.
Quick mood boost
Embracing the simple pleasures can really help to lift your mood. What’s beautiful is that we can often find lots of these moments throughout the day if we look — which can be great for our mental health and outlook.
Stopping to appreciate the simple joys in life is a highly underrated self care moment. It doesn’t take too much energy from us, but can help give us energy and warmth back. Those little pleasures in life, like the smell of your favorite dish cooking, can really make those everyday moments we call life feel exciting, rewarding, and special.
Useful starting point for gratitude
Gratitude can be such a useful skill to develop. You don’t have to get all deep and “meaning of life” about it (unless you want to!), but even keeping a simple gratitude list or journal is a wonderful habit to develop. Noticing the simple pleasures in life around you gives you plenty of fuel for your gratitude habit.
These small things might feel insignificant as they happen throughout your day, but when you sit back and reflect they might stand out as highlights. The adorable dog you spotted on your morning walk or the fact you loved the way your hair turned out today are super worthy gratitude moments. Things don’t have to be big, impressive, or life-changing for you to feel grateful or thankful for them — the simple moments are perfect as they are.
Reminder that life doesn’t have to be complicated
We live in a time where our attention is being pulled in so many different directions. Many of us are juggling work with caring for others, managing relationships, and personal growth. It’s a lot for anyone to handle, and life can feel complicated. The simple things remind us that not every aspect in life has to feel busy and overwhelming — the quiet ones are there if we look for them.
It’s hard to escape the busyness of our everyday routines. Sometimes things are just how they are, and while you can work on changing your career, habits, or skills, these things take time. Look for the beautiful, simple moments to help you take a breather and look at life from a slower perspective. If you find you enjoy this, it could be a step towards embracing minimalism, slow living, or crafting a career that lets you live the way you want to.
How to find and embrace the simple pleasures in life
It’s easy to see the magic in the simple pleasures in life, but how do you find them? If you’re not used to looking for them, it can be hard to make that change. Here’s some advice on how to pause, reflect, and embrace the slower, simple joys of life.
Live in the moment
Whether you have your whole week planned out or it’s a ball of chaos, we’re all living in the here and now. This isn’t always easy, but if you can try and live in the moment more intentionally it’s easier for the simple pleasures of life to surprise you.
Be aware of what you’re doing, who you’re with, and how you’re showing up. Enjoy the moments as they pass — no matter how ordinary. An easy way to try this is to take some extra time over your morning routine or Sunday routine. Make your bed sheets when you wake up. Pull back the curtains and see what’s happening outside your window. Choose your outfit for the day with intention, and remember how much you love that dress. Savor that first sip of coffee. It’s all about being present.
Slow down
Embracing the simple pleasures of life fits so beautifully with a slower, more minimalist approach to living. It’s easier to remember how much you love a walk on a Summer evening if you have the energy and space to make it happen. See if adjusting to a slower way of life suits you — even just for an afternoon or a day, so you can take in some of the simple joys around you.
Instead of rushing through your Instagram feed, give yourself space to enjoy it while you unwind. Take a longer bath than usual and use that bath bomb you’d been saving for a special moment. Bake something simple yet sweet for a friend, and surprise them with it and a compliment. Slow, simple living can help you rediscover more of the smaller moments that make you feel warm, happy, and alive.
It helps to set up systems that can give you more space and time — so try things like meal planning, downsizing your wardrobe, and decluttering your home to give you a good foundation of simplicity for intentional living on a daily basis.
Escape your usual routine
When you’re stuck in a routine or habit it’s easy to think that’s just how life is. We forget that we’re capable of so much, and there’s a lot of things we can influence or shift a little in our favor. Challenge yourself to escape your routine a little more than usual and see if you notice more of those simple joys all around you.
Get up early and go for a sunrise walk with your partner. Give yourself an hour to try a new hobby that’s always been on your to-do list. Say yes to an unexpected dinner date with a friend, at a totally new-to-you restaurant. Take a step towards starting that business you’ve always dreamed about. Life is for living, after all. When you get the opportunity to, make that positive change and embrace the tiny joys that happen alongside it.
67 of the best simple pleasures in life to embrace and enjoy
Maybe now’s not the perfect time to ditch your daily routine or embrace slow living. That’s okay — you can still find joy in remembering small pleasures you’ve experienced before. Maybe it’s actually the perfect time, and you’re ready to make a big lifestyle change. Both are amazing.
Whether you want a reminder of the simple joys you know and cherish, or want ideas for new things to be grateful for, use this list of simple pleasures to spark fresh excitement for your daily life.
- Cuddling up with a loved one
- The smell of freshly cut grass
- Getting close to animals
- Ordering your favorite ice cream
- A cold shower on a hot day
- Getting cozy with a good book
- Being served your favorite meal
- Getting a high score on a video game
- Spending time with someone that makes you laugh
- Birdsong on a Spring day
- Looking through old photos with your family
- Blowing bubbles like you’re still a kid
- The smell of freshly washed clothes on the line
- Feeling a cool breeze on a hot Summer day
- Receiving a heartfelt compliment
- Re-watching your favorite movie
- Taking an afternoon nap
- Making the perfect cocktail or juice
- A nice hot shower after coming in from the rain
- Watching TV after a long day at work
- Ordering your go-to cup of coffee from your favorite coffee shop
- Putting fresh sheets on your bed
- Catching up with an old friend
- Smelling the fresh air as you walk by the sea
- Donating something you no longer need or use
- Holding hands with your partner or child
- A day date with your best friend
- Taking a long bubble bath with a luxurious soak
- Listening to your favorite music from when you were growing up
- Freshly baked cookies
- Giving someone positive feedback about something they care about
- Playing a board game
- Doing a random act of kindness
- Getting a new personal best
- Predicting the result of something perfectly
- Snuggling up with your pet
- Cooking a meal for someone you love
- Wrapping a present perfectly
- Listening to your favorite song
- Going for a bike ride
- Focusing on your wellbeing
- Tidying up so you can enjoy a clean house
- Brewing a cup of tea
- Enjoy a home-cooked meal
- Lighting a scented candle
- Booking a wellness retreat
- Giving a compliment
- Eating delicious dark chocolate
- Seeing your favorite bird or animal outside
- Visiting a loved one
- Going on an adventure
- Waking up with the sun
- Catching the sunset
- Visiting one of your favorite places
- Taking polaroid photos
- Dancing to your favorite songs
- Singing karaoke
- Enjoying a delicious breakfast
- Laughing at a good joke
- Baking a new recipe
- Listening to a new podcast
- Savoring a delicious sweet treat
- Taking a deep breath
- Doing something new for the first time
- Enjoying the sunshine on a Sunday morning
- Looking outside to a sunny day
- Starting a new puzzle
Enjoy life’s simple pleasures
There are lots of sweet, funny, warm, and cozy moments all around us. Sometimes all we need to do is be reminded of them, or to slow down and feel them as they happen. I hope this list has helped you find more small joys to embrace, or helped you rediscover happy memories of things in the past.
If you’re thinking of finding ways to fit more of these joys into your life, try creating your own self care menu. Think of it as an actionable list filled with self care ideas that you can build into your routine — whether that’s every day or as a special one-off self care day.
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