It doesn’t take much to enjoy life. You don’t have to complicate your life in order to be happy. Even the simplest things can provide you with the pleasure you need to enjoy life.
What makes life worth living?
What makes a life worthwhile to live is a complex and highly subjective concept. Because there is no single factor that makes life worthwhile.
It is also not about material possessions. Rather, it is the things we do, the simple things in life that make it worth living.
What are simple pleasures in life?
Simple pleasures are often small, sometimes even trivial matters that bring us joy and happiness. Little things that make us smile, giggle, or teary-eyed in laughter. The littlest things that elicit a positive feeling in us.
It is the small events in our daily life that, even though they cost little to nothing, still bring us joy. They provide moments of absolute bliss, bringing us firmly back into the present moment and reminding us to be grateful for everything we have.
130 Simple Pleasures In Life
Everyday simple pleasures
Every day, there are simple pleasures that can be had if we take the time to enjoy and appreciate them. Instead of rushing through your day, take a few moments to enjoy some of life’s simple pleasures.
Here are some such delights to enjoy in your day.
- Getting the required number of sleep at night.
- The luxury of taking a long stretch in bed after waking up.
- A quiet moment all to yourself in the early morning.
- Sipping a cup of coffee or tea early in the morning. Nothing beats the feeling of enjoying a hot cup of coffee early in the morning.
- Taking in the beauty of the early morning sun. It signifies another glorious day.
- Going for a leisurely early morning walk.
- Meditating. Being grateful for another day to chase after your dreams.
- Making a plan for the day ahead.
- Enjoying a leisurely breakfast.
- Putting on your favorite lipstick.
- Spritzing on your favorite cologne or perfume.
- Putting on your favorite dress.
- Taking a brain dump, that is, writing down all thoughts that are running around in your head. So that you won’t forget a good idea and to help you clear your mind.
- Writing down a favorite line in your journal or reflecting on your day.
- Listening to an interesting audiobook.
- Going through your self-care routine such as washing, exfoliating, and moisturizing your skin.
- Putting on fresh pajamas.
- Getting a foot massage from your partner.
- Cuddling with your significant other or your pet.
- Sending out a prayer of thanks for a good day.
Simple pleasures in relationships
Our relationships with our family, friends, or acquaintances make our lives better. As a result, it is important that we cultivate and strengthen these relationships because they benefit us in so many ways.
And the way we strengthen our bonds with others is through shared experiences, not possessions. Experiences are the bond that connects and makes our relationships strong.
It is our experiences and the simple pleasures we share in the relationship that gives us a sense of belonging. It’s what makes us feel better, stronger, and have a sense of purpose in life.
And some of these simple pleasures are the following:
- Giving out a hug.
- Appreciating the people in your life for who they are and what they’re trying to become.
- Taking pleasure in other people’s accomplishments.
- Cooking a meal for the people you care about.
- Sharing a great meal.
- Enjoying cards, video, or board games.
- Spending a day at the beach.
- Going on a trek or hike.
- Backyard camping.
- Having a picnic at the park.
- Sending a greeting, a funny joke, a meme, or an inspiring quote.
- Trying out a new restaurant.
- Going to the zoo.
- Taking a class together.
- Sharing a bag of chips or a box of chocolate.
- Going shopping.
- Catching up over coffee.
- Going on a road trip.
- Doing some random things for the day.
- Laughing over an inside joke.
- Watching your favorite sports team play.
- Playing your favorite sport.
- Going for a stroll.
- Swapping clothes.
- Sharing and supporting each other’s dreams or goals.
Simple pleasures at home
Staying at home has its own unparalleled pleasures. Home is where you can be free to do whatever you want. You can stay at home and be as lazy or as creative as you want. It’s entirely up to you.
Here are some ideas for simple pleasures at home.
- Decluttering your home.
- Cleaning and tidying your home.
- Having and finding items in their proper place.
- Taking a hot bath.
- Having a long shower.
- Plush bathrobe.
- A cozy blanket.
- Lighting up a scented candle.
- Reading a good book.
- Curling up in your favorite chair, nook, or corner of the house.
- Growing a vegetable garden.
- Watching a flower you planted blossom and bloom.
- Going for a movie marathon of your favorite films.
- Putting on your favorite music.
- Dancing along with your favorite music.
- Singing out loud.
- Enjoying a glass of wine once in a while.
- Allowing yourself an extra episode of your favorite series.
- Trying out a new recipe.
- Baking a cake, cookies, or muffins.
Simple pleasures at work
Enjoying a good day at the office is possible if you open yourself up to seeing the good and simple things that will brighten up your day. And make things a little more interesting.
See below for some of the simple things that can make your day at the office more enjoyable.
- Listening to classical or ambient music as you work.
- Getting into your flow state.
- Collaborating on a project with your colleagues.
- Discussing pain points or finding solutions to a work problem with your co-workers.
- Getting the project done on time and sharing a high-five with your colleagues.
- Finishing up a report early.
- Receiving a compliment for a great job.
- Catching up with a colleague from another team or department.
- Closing a sale, no matter how small.
- Having lunch with your work friends.
- Having a cup of coffee with colleagues in the pantry during breaks.
- Sharing a good banter with office friends.
- Receiving a compliment from an officemate.
- Closing a customer issue.
- Moving your work files from incoming to outgoing.
- Receiving assistance from a coworker.
- Receiving constructive feedback.
- Celebrating a win with your teammates.
- Having a mentor.
- Getting a good training program.
- Working with open-minded workmates.
- Receiving a fresh supply of office requirements such as pens, pencils, post-it notes, paper clips, alcohol, and so on.
- Receiving an email from your IT department about a laptop upgrade.
- Completing your tasks for the day.
- Leaving a clean and organized workspace after work.
Simple pleasures that cost nothing
There are some simple pleasures in life that cost nothing. All you have to do is slow down and take the time to notice or participate in them.
These simple things, in no particular order, can certainly bring you a lot of joy.
- Giving a smile.
- Laughing at a good joke or even at yourself for some foolish actions.
- Complimenting other people.
- Playing tag with your kids.
- Doing volunteer work.
- Showing compassion.
- Being kind to others.
- Enjoying the sun as it slowly sets.
- Having a tall glass of iced tea on a lazy summer day.
- Enjoying a hot cup of chocolate drink with marshmallows on a cold day.
- Eating your favorite comfort food after a long day of work.
- Decluttering and saving items for donation.
- Creating a vision board.
- Scrapbooking using everyday finds such as a cutout from a magazine, a leaf, a button from an old blouse, or colorful leftover yarns.
- People watching. Simply observing people as they go their own way can also provide great insight.
- Taking a long nap.
- Relaxing on your porch, a swing, or hammock.
- Putting your feet up after a long day.
- Receiving a drawing made for you by your kids.
- Receiving a wet kiss from your kids.
Simple pleasures for overall wellness
Finding pleasure from the simple things in life provides a mindset that will benefit your mental, emotional, and physical health.
Find below some of the simple pleasures for your overall well-being.
- Drinking water for hydration.
- Enjoying a freshly tossed veggie salad.
- Learn more about how the body and brain work.
- Going on a run, a jog, or a quick walk.
- Going to a Zumba or an aerobic class.
- Do some jumping jacks or do a plank.
- Having a light and healthy dinner.
- Learning something new.
- Practicing mindfulness. It’s a great way to reconnect with yourself and live life more fully.
- Making a bucket list of things you want to do, planning how to do them, and finding the time to get them done.
- Stargazing at night.
- Connecting with nature.
- Checking off a task on your to-do list.
- Going for a yoga session for a good stretch.
- Appreciating the beauty of a full moon.
- Sketch, draw, or doodle. Whatever calms your mind.
- Go for adult coloring. There are free coloring pages you can get from the internet.
- Read inspiring quotes, poems, or scriptures.
- Build a jigsaw puzzle.
- Watch a funny or informative video online.
Why simple things bring you joy
Sometimes it is the mere simplicity of things that brings us joy. Because, we, as humans don’t really need much to be happy. In the words of a great man:
Happiness consists more in small conveniences or pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but seldom to a man in the course of his life.
– Benjamin Franklin
The simple things in life, especially those that don’t cost much, allow us to reconnect with our inner child. The one who still finds wonder, curiosity, and joy in the little things that make life beautiful and worth living.
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