What Are Your Simple Pleasures?
Have you taken a moment lately to think about and appreciate the simple pleasures in life?
I would like to believe that I am the type of person who always has an appreciation for the simple pleasures in life. However, this pandemic year has taken that appreciation to a completely different level. It’s made me realize how many things we take for granted in our day to day lives, only to realize their value when they are suddenly taken away from us.
Quite simply put, the simple pleasures in life make our lives that much more happier. These tiny moments are usually small things, and yet, they hold enough power to recharge our day. They make our hearts feel full, and add a moment of joy to what might otherwise be a dull, ordinary day.
I really want to know – what are your simple pleasures in life? Has the pandemic given you a newfound appreciation for these simple pleasures?
MY SIMPLE PLEASURES IN LIFE
If you’re curious, here’s my list of simple pleasures in life, and yes, there is a special pandemic section as well!
• Petrichor… the smell of the earth after a rain
• The smell of delicious home-cooked food
• Flipping through old photographs
• Coming across a beautiful word or phrase
• Reading a book that transports you to another world
• A glass of chilled white wine or sangria
• A long, hot shower or bath
• Receiving a care package or letter in the mail
• The smell of bread being baked
• Traveling to someplace new
• Receiving a compliment from someone
• Watching someone’s face light up when you give them a meaningful compliment
• Finding unexpected money in your jeans pocket
• Trying on an old piece of clothing that still fits well
• Sleeping in on a rainy or winter morning
• A deliciously sweet, juicy orange
• Completing a project
• Creating a space that feels like home
• A perfectly made cocktail
• The leaves turning orange as autumn comes drifting in
• Solving a difficult problem
• Planning a vacation
• Listening to a podcast that makes you go hell, yes!
• Being able to make a baby laugh
• Hot, fried snacks on a rainy afternoon
• That first spark of great chemistry when you meet someone new and interesting
• Sleeping in your own bed after being away for a few days
• Happy surprises
• A manifestation coming to life
• Having the opportunity to start over at something
• Access to clean, running water
• Receiving amazing customer service
• Making a deep connection with someone on social media
• Learning from your mistakes
• A tub of hot, buttery popcorn
• A perfectly tart raspberry
• The smell of a new notebook
• Enjoying an afternoon by the beach or the pool
• Waking up without any aches and pains
• Eating just enough such that you enjoy your meal to your heart’s content without feeling stuffed
• Hot, cheesy pizza
• Solitude
• Sleeping in a cool, chilled room on a summer night, and a warm, cozy room on a winter night
• A gorgeous sunset
• Early morning birdsong
• A new flower blossoming in your garden
• An afternoon nap
• Watching an awe-inspiring dance or musical performance
• Staying up all night to read a book
• Reconnecting with an old friend
• Feeling wanted by your partner
• Hearing your partner’s sexy, sleepy voice
• Flowers in full bloom
• Conquering everything on the to-do list for the day
• Festive decorations all across the city
• Viewing a star-filled sky
• The sight of a full moon in all its radiant glory
• Watching natural and architectural marvels that are centuries old
• Ice cream or a cool drink on a hot summer afternoon
• Reading the comments section of A Cup of Jo
• Having a mental breakthrough while journaling
• Pulling off a surprise for a loved one
• Discovering a new singer or band
• Waking up feeling fresh
• Good health
• Waking up ahead of the alarm clock
• Being loved and loving someone
• A foot massage
• Comfortable yet sexy heels
• Mangoes in the summertime
• Feeling confident
• The sound of waves
• Christmas carols
• Cloud gazing
• Orgasms
• Watching reruns of favourite shows
• Being indoors on a rainy day
• Cuddling with your partner
• Freshly shaved or waxed legs
• Doing something creative
• Feeling seen
• A new recipe turning out great the first time around
• Learning something new
• Being appreciated for something that you’ve worked hard on
• Laughing with friends
• Being in nature
• Making a profitable return on an investment
• Candlelit evenings
• Making someone else laugh
• A slow Sunday morning
• A whiff of your favourite perfume
• Watching a dog play at the beach
• Feeling free
• Watching Junior Masterchef
• Playing with kids
• Achieving a long-outstanding goal
• Recollecting old memories with friends
• Baking a birthday cake
• Playing Secret Santa
• Celebrating festivals with family
• A walk by the waterfront
• Sugarcane juice
• Spicy and hot roasted corn on the cob
• Making eye contact with your partner in a room full of crowded people
• Your pet falling asleep on you
And here are some more simple pleasures, their value heightened even more so in this pandemic season:
• Hugging a loved one
• Catching up with a friend in person
• Being outdoors mask-free
• Making impromptu plans with others
• Not having to follow a rigorous sanitization process for everything that comes from outside
• Carefree travel
• Watching movies at a theatre
• Eating out
• Large family get-togethers
• Good health (yes, it warrants repeating)
Like I said, I really wanna hear from you – what simple pleasures have you been drawing comfort from lately? Let me know in the comments below!
Image via The Creative Library
I love this Shirsha! It’s the little things in life, isn’t it? I love that you’re taking time to appreciate them during these crazy and hectic times. It seems like they can be overlooked so easily, so taking time to slow down and smell the roses as they say, is even more important at times like these!
It always is the little things that warm your heart and soul so completely. If nothing else, this year has definitely forced us to appreciate all the commonplace things we otherwise always took for granted.
Wow !
I’m so jealous : you have so many simple pleasures ! It’s very good to take the time and acknowledge the things that make you happy.
You got me inspired for maybe a future blog post where I might share my simple pleasures (if it’s okay with you of course!!)
Have a nice day! ?
Of course, Loïne – it would make me so happy to read your list! Do let me know if you end up writing your list. :)
Now more than ever it’s so important to be grateful for the simple pleasures in life. Yes to the smell of home-cooked food especially brownies & cakes; as well as sleeping in on rainy days. Definitely missing carefree travel days, but hoping we’ll have them again soon! :) Some simple pleasures I’ve been drawing comfort from are home-cooked meals, getting back into dancing & discovering my new favourite music group. ☺️
I’ve been with my parents for the last few months, so I’ve definitely indulged in all my favourite home-cooked meals that remind me of my childhood days. I’ve also discovered a new musical favourite during the lockdown – Durand Jones & The Indications, and I’m so in love with their music. It’s a significant departure from the kind of music I usually like, so I am kinda surprised at how much I’ve enjoyed their songs. :)
Wow, you’ve really covered it all! ❤️️ To me, it must be a soft, warm blanket and enough time for one of my favorite rereads…
Yes to all of the book-related hopes & dreams. :)
You know what’s weird… the first thing on this list that I read was popcorn. And it reminded me that I had a dream last night that I was eating a HUGE tub of buttery popcorn. Strange! But yes, I love this post. I think the simple pleasures and the small things in life are so important. Especially now. Especially this year. I love the smell of the earth after rain too. And luckily we’ve had a LOT of rain lately. Another one of my simple (and slightly weird) pleasures is the smell of new carpet. Like I could spend hours in a carpet shop – just walking about and sniffing!
Thank you, Jenny! Appreciate your taking the time.
I would have never thought of the smell of a new carpet, hahahahaha! I’ll pay attention next time at a store (which may well not be until the middle of next year! ?♀️).
This has been the strangest year, but despite all the many challenges it’s thrown my own, I somehow feel like it’s quite literally forced me to take stock of my life, do an honest assessment, and then decide on the bits I want to keep or discard. It’s been an eye-opening experience for sure. :)
This is so lovely! It’s amazing how many of the simple things can give you an immeasurable joy, especially when there’s a few in one day, it can totally transform my mood. Great post!
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Thank you, Anika! And yes to those days when all the small, happy things just decide to coincide (or perhaps, we just choose to notice them more!). :)
Such a lovely idea for a post! I love crisp summer/autumn mornings. The warmth a candle brings to a room, and Cosying up on the sofa with a fluggy blanket and hot drink on winter evenings!
Thank you, Nicola! :) Your comment is making me wish I was in a cold place right now, but indoors, bundled up with the cozy goodness around me. :)