If you feel down, stressed out, or need a simple pick-me-up, this article is for you. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the grind of daily life and not enjoying the simple things in life. And yet, simple pleasures can make our life so much better. This blog post lists 59 simple pleasures that will brighten your day!
Simple pleasures in life meaning
Simple Pleasures of Life Definition: You can define simple pleasures as simple things that make us happy or satisfied without having to go out of our way for them.
The simple pleasures in life are often overlooked because of the search for more extravagant and expensive forms of entertainment, whether it is eating out or going on vacation. However, simple pleasures include simple things that people do throughout the day without realizing they are doing something enjoyable.
The simple pleasures in life may be small, simple, and easy to attain, but they can also be simple ways to increase your happiness. Recognizing these little pleasures can help us feel better about what we have in life.
How to enjoy the little pleasures in life
Accept and embrace the fact that not every moment in life will be pleasurable and enjoyable. So start small with much easier things to do that bring immediate happiness. It could be clapping when you hear a baby laugh or taking joy in looking into the eyes of your pet dog when he wags his tail.
Allow yourself pep talks so you can find time for gratitude to include even basic things like wearing clean clothes or simply appreciating a hot shower after a long day. Then, create your rituals – whether it’s reading an inspirational quote, listening to music, or going outside for a brief walk.
It’s easy to start your day off with the small pleasures of life. All you need is a few minutes and the proper mindset. Then, sprinkle little pleasures throughout the day to brighten it. Enjoying small things can translate to a great day.
What are the best simple pleasures in life?
Here are 59 examples of the most satisfying and funny small pleasures in life:
- A cup of coffee in the morning
- Being with someone you love
- Dancing
- Warm hugs
- Listening to your favorite song
- Watching clouds floating by
- Making someone smile
- Taking a nap in the afternoon
- Not having to set an alarm for the next day
- Receiving a delivery in the mail
- A long walk
- Watching the sunrise/sunset
- Finding a new song you love
- A freshly made bed
- Being outdoors
- Watching a favorite movie
- Driving with the car windows down
- On a Friday, leaving work and starting a relaxing weekend
- Having a good dinner
- Seeing flowers and trees bloom
- Dressing in an outfit that makes you feel good
- Cooking at home
- A breathtaking view
- Sound of rain on a window
- Barefoot walking in the grass
- Taking a long, relaxing shower
- An excellent wine
- Talking with a friend
- Seeing your child play
- Having something to look forward to
- Being home alone
- The sweet taste of ice cream
- No clouds in a light blue sky
- Watching and listening to the ocean
- Feeling good after a workout
- Finding a quiet place to relax
- A clean house
- Enjoying a home-cooked meal with family
- Being lazy on a Sunday
- Hiking in nature
- Holding hands with a loved one
- The quiet of the early morning
- The feeling of being appreciated
- The joy of tasting your favorite food
- The beauty of the trees around you
- A drink of water when you’re thirsty
- Morning kisses to your partner
- Having a good laugh
- Summer’s first sip of a cool beverage
- Hearing your partner’s heartbeat
- Taking in the fresh air outside
- Trying something new
- Finding a good parking space
- A hug from your children
- Hair blowing in the wind
- The smell of rain
- Feeling loved and safe
- Having a picnic
- The lights of the city at night
Enjoying simple pleasures can help you cope with stress
If you enjoy the small things in life, you will find yourself more prepared to handle the stress that comes your way. It’s simple, the better you feel about yourself and life in general, the more equipped to handle stress. By enjoying simple pleasures throughout your day it will change how you approach every situation that arises.
To get more inspiration on how to reduce stress, check out our article how to become a minimalist.
How do you find simple pleasures in life?
Simple pleasures are everywhere if we know where to look. The recipe is easy, but the execution needs practice. The challenging part is achieving focus and awareness, and it starts with noticing your surroundings and what you’re about to do.
There’s no need for over-complication, just appreciation of the little things. You can find simple pleasures in the mundane, and we need to make a conscious effort to find them.
The first step is taking notice of what you do on an everyday basis. What activities bring you joy? Once you’ve started noticing, it’s time to practice. These little joys are easy enough for you to incorporate into your daily schedule. They can become part of your daily morning gratitude affirmations. It can help to focus on one thing at a time, so you can fully absorb the positive feeling.
The next step is remembering that these simple pleasures don’t have a short shelf-life. In fact, the less complicated something is, the more likely we’ll return to it.
What are the little things in your life that you love?
Now it’s your turn. What are the little things that you love in your life? Take a moment to remember the things you do every day. What are those little things that make you smile? What brings you joy?
Remember that sometimes it’s the simple things in life that bring us the greatest pleasure.