These Are The Simple Pleasures That Make Life Beautiful
... and most cost next to nothing.
The world can be a cold, harsh place to be in.
On the flip side, there’s so much beauty around us, most of which goes unnoticed because we’re so busy coping, surviving and scheming our way through life.
This is why I wanted to write this post: To remind you that there’s so much more to life than the hard, complicated stuff.
And that a beautiful life isn’t just made up of the big, obvious milestones.
It’s often about the little, everyday things that make you want to smile from the inside-out.
If you haven’t already, I’d like to invite you to give yourself permission to notice and enjoy the simple pleasures in your life.
To give you an idea of what to look out for, here are 50 of mine.
Most cost little to no money, and tend to be experiences rather than things:
Feeling safe where I am, and who I’m with.
A meaningful conversation.
Snuggling with my cat.
The warm, morning sun on my skin.
A soft, cool breeze.
Working out with my friends.
Being enveloped in a big, bear hug.
A friend checking in on me.
A hot, steaming cup of tea.
An ice-cold drink on a hot afternoon.
Finishing the last repetition of a challenging workout.
Giving an unexpected gift.
Receiving an unexpected gift.
That soft, golden hour glow.
The clean, light feeling after a shower.
Getting lost in my favourite television show.
Being completely engrossed in a good book.
Snuggling into a soft, cozy bed.
Knowing that someone’s coming to get me.
Serendipity.
Cooking a delicious meal that hits the spot.
Being with someone who feels like home.
Lights that make my space feel magical and comforting.
The plane touching down (finally!).
Exploring a new place.
The excitement of trying out a new restaurant or cafe.
Shoes that let me walk for miles without hurting my feet.
Putting on an outfit that makes me feel good about myself.
Drifting off to sleep.
Watching the rain pour down from my cozy spot inside.
My feet on cool, soft grass.
Laughing with complete abandon.
Crying tears of relief.
Sleeping in on a lazy Sunday morning.
Finding the right fit (be it shoes, clothes or people).
Spotting a rainbow after the storm.
Making plans with people I love.
Feeling hopeful.
Being completely present in a beautiful moment.
The warm, hypnotizing glow of a burning candle.
Listening to my cat purr with contentment.
Paying it forward.
Sinking into my bed after being on my feet all day.
Giving someone who needs help, a hand.
Feeling loved.
Everything on this list may seem obvious, but for the longest time, it rarely occurred to me to think of them as pleasures, until I was forced to slow down and make mindfulness a daily practice.
Now, I think of these little moments of joy and beauty as ‘glimmers’ to look forward to each day.
What are the simple pleasures in your life that are making you happy?
