100+ of Life's Simple Pleasures to Enjoy & Be Grateful For
They aren't things we necessarily need, but they produce some of the greatest moments of happiness in life. These simple life pleasures are some of the reasons why just being alive is a joy.
A familiar face at a social gathering
A coworker who makes your job more fun
Waking up to a new day
Excited pets to greet you at the end of the day
The sweet laughter of children playing
A sleeping baby
Snuggling with someone you love
Endorphins after a great session at the gym
A loved one or acquaintance sharing a vulnerability and letting you see more of who they are
A friend who calls just to check-in
A loved one who knows exactly what you need or want without having to ask
The smell of fresh herbs
A coffee shop nailing your order in every way
A sale at your favorite store
A book with the perfect ending
Catching your favorite movie on TV
That fresh feeling after hair-washing day
Getting your winged eyeliner right the first time
Meeting someone new and clicking right away
Your favorite pair of comfortable jeans
The kind smile of a stranger
A long, heartfelt hug from someone you love
The first warm sip of coffee on a quiet morning
Plans you were dreading getting canceled at the last minute
Being able to help someone
Making another person smile
Laughing until you cry
Your favorite sports team winning unexpectedly
Hearing your favorite song play on the radio
The smell of books in a library or bookstore
Spending some time alone in the quiet
Staying up all night talking to someone you love
Being complimented
Finishing your to-do list
Discovering a bill is cheaper than you expected
Your spouse unloading the dishwasher without having to be asked
That beautiful baby smell
Seeing a cute dog while on a walk
Dancing as if no one is watching
Seeing your child experience pure happiness
The joy of a crisp, new journal
A weekend with no plans
Rest is something to appreciate all on its own, but there are countless restful and relaxing things in life that we take pleasure in. If you're in a season of busyness, these things might be even more meaningful to you.
A relaxing bath or long, hot shower
Taking your shoes off at the end of a long day
A warm and cozy blanket
A full night of uninterrupted sleep
Sleeping in on a weekend
A comfortable bed
Your favorite cozy chair, recliners especially
Your favorite comfort meal after a tough day
An afternoon at the salon
Pajamas that fit just right
Taking an energizing nap
Getting into bed with clean sheets
Pulling the blankets up as far as you can on a cold night
Sitting outside in the fresh air
Nature is a true gift in life and gives us countless other gifts to appreciate. If you have a moment to be in nature, these are some of the simple and sweet things you might get to enjoy.
Birds chirping early in the morning
The first warm day of spring
The pure quiet after a heavy snow
The clean air plants produce outside and in our homes
Clear blue skies
The pitter-patter of a cool summer rain
Cool blades of grass against your bare feet
A double rainbow after a storm
A cool breeze on a hot day
Bodies of water to admire and enjoy
The smell of fresh-cut grass
The sound of wind rustling in the trees
The changing of leaves in the fall
Catching sight of a shooting star
An unforgettable sunset
Seeing a deer, squirrel, or rabbit near your home
Beautiful flowers to admire in the spring
The feeling of sand between your toes
A beautiful sunrise to greet a new day
The look of the afternoon sun shining into your window
The sound of crickets in summer
The unique beauty of snowflakes
The various colors of butterfly wings
The peace and calm of twilight
The beauty of animals in their natural habitat
The sound of leaves crunching beneath your feet
The magical twinkling of stars
The sound of waves crashing along the shore
The quiet splashes of fish and ducks in a lake
From the people around you to the basic necessities of life, these things may not always come to mind when you're counting the things you're grateful for, but they definitely count.
Hot water on demand
Air conditioning and electric heat
Clean water to drink
Grocery stores with readily available food
Light at any time of the day, thanks to electricity
Appliances to make cooking and cleaning easier
A safe home to provide shelter and warmth
Personal care items to keep you clean and feeling fresh
Family members who love and care for you
The benefits of modern medicine
The love of a true friend
Living in the technological age comes with its own long list of privileges. Though the items we're fortunate enough to have today may seem simple to us, they would have been true miracles in earlier times.
Answers to virtually any question you have through the internet
The ability to call friends and family for a chat
The ability to work from home
Facetiming with people you love
Storing memories as photos and videos
Vehicles for easy transportation
Shopping for virtually anything online
Having a full, ongoing conversation over text
Always being connected to the people you love most
The ability to ask Siri or Alexa to do just about anything
Smart appliances that make life even easier
Keeping up with friends and family through social media
Now that you have a long list of things to be grateful for, you can weave them into your gratitude practice. Gratitude can help you focus on all the good things in life and help you have a positive perspective. One study on the connection between gratitude and well-being even found that those who list their blessings in a gratitude journal report a more positive emotional state overall.
Additionally, another study found that practicing gratitude prior to sleeping produced better sleep. If you're wondering if adding a bit of gratitude to your day is worth the effort, this might be your sign to give it a try.
Practicing gratitude has less to do with what you have and more to do with your intentionality. Gratitude doesn't come from a perfect life or having everything you may want or need. Rather, it's a state of mind that changes your perspective and helps you see the positive side of nearly any situation.
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If you're in a season of busyness, these things might be even more meaningful to you. A relaxing bath or long, hot shower Taking your shoes off at the end of a long day A warm and cozy blanket A full night of uninterrupted sleep Sleeping in on a weekend A comfortable bed Your favorite cozy chair, recliners especially Your favorite comfort meal after a tough day An afternoon at the salon Pajamas that fit just right Taking an energizing nap Getting into bed with clean sheets Pulling the blankets up as far as you can on a cold night Sitting outside in the fresh air Nature is a true gift in life and gives us countless other gifts to appreciate. If you have a moment to be in nature, these are some of the simple and sweet things you might get to enjoy. 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