It is important to have the time and mental space to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. To read for pleasure, to spend time with friends and family. To cuddle up and watch a film. That is nothing to feel guilty about. It’s uncomfortable to think back to a time when I thought I didn’t deserve that. I’m never going to feel like that again and I don’t want you to either.
Why are simple pleasures so important?
Do you feel like you keep searching for something. You’re not quite content with how your life is now. Perhaps you tell yourself that when XY or Z happens then you’ll be happy.
You’re waiting, rushing, hustling. Telling yourself you have to get X Y or Z done before you to can stop.
Living a simple life is about enjoying the here and now. Living mindfully with intention and enjoying every day sparkly things. What’s even better, is the more we become aware of every day pleasures, we’ll start noticing them more. So let’s become aware of what we could be grateful every day.
So here’s 33 ideas of how to enjoy life’s simple pleasures
So in no particular order…
1- Your first sip of coffee in the morning
Or tea, the feeling is the same.
2- Curling up with a good book
Ultimate luxury
3- Feeling warm sand on your feet.
4- Fresh air through an open window
5- Crunching through leaves
6- Taking a sip of your favourite drink
7- Sitting in front of a roaring fire-in Winter!
8- Sitting in a pub garden- in Summer!
9- Going for a walk and enjoying the nature
Just make sure you leave your phone in your pocket/bad apart from taking pictures.
10- Relaxing in a bubble bath
11- Treating yourself to fresh flowers
12- A home cooked meal
Even better if you don’t cook it yourself!
13- Listening to uplifting music
Maybe create a playlist, that you could put on when you need a lift.
14-Lighting and enjoying the fragrance of a scented candle
Choose the scent depending on the time of day. I burn a candle with a zesty fragrance in the morning and then something more relaxing in the evening.
15- An afternoon nap
Just remember to set an alarm if you have something specific planned for afterwards!
16- Watching a comedy and having a good laugh
Recommendations always welcome
17- A good hair day
18- Your favourite perfume
Wear it whenever you feel like it, rather than saving for best. Every day is a special occasion.
19- Clean bed sheets
20- The smell of freshly cut grass
21- Feeling of the sun on your face
23-Sleeping in on your day off
Knowing you don’t need to set an alarm
24-The smell of fresh washing
25-Indulging in a small treat
26- Write a letter
27- An empty inbox
28- The sound of waves on the beach
there’s something so therapeutic about being by the sea.
29- Starting a new notebook
30- Enjoy screen-free time
31- Have a picnic
32- Checking something off your to do list.
Do you ever write something on you to do list, just so you can do this?
33- Making someone else smile.
So there’s my list of 33 ideas, I hope this has given you some inspiration. I’d love to hear from you in comments, what’s your favourite simple pleasure?
You know what to do, but maybe you can’t seem to do it. But you know what, you can slow down, take and breath, ditch the drama. You can focus on what’s important to you, living a life you love.
Download this PDF for 7 ways to mentally press pause and start today.
Thank you for this list, Tina! I am a great fan of scented wax candles and I also like to listen to soft soothing instrumental guitar or piano. It’s also nice to listen to audiobooks on Audible. Lately, I’ve been enjoying fictional books that don’t rack my brain too much. I also like the sound of rain falling, crickets, or birds chirping. Also, sleep stories are a bit hit for me in the evening. Thanks for the list. I’m going to go out to a patio to eat before summer is gone. That is one I don’t do often enough. Thanks!