71 simple pleasures to live for when life feels heavy
Sometimes life feels heavy, and we feel weighed down by the burdens of our life circumstances. We can so easily get caught up in the stresses of the ‘big problems’. At times like this, we often need to take a step back and refocus on the small things for a moment. No matter how difficult our challenges are, or how hopeless the situation feels, there will always be simple pleasures in life we can bring our attention to and appreciate.
It is important to focus on the simple beauties of life, knowing that even though these simple pleasures appear to be small, life is worth living just to experience them. Imagine never experiencing these simple pleasures again, we would miss them terribly. One day you may look back and realize that these simple pleasures were huge blessings. Take peace in the knowledge that you can find safe refuge in these simple pleasures. Taking a step back from the ‘big problems’ will give you an added layer of objectivity so that when you return to them, you can adopt a logical problem-solving lens that can help you move through the situation that you previously felt stuck in.
The Power of Gratitude
When we pay attention to the simple pleasures of life, we are taking a moment to say ‘thank you’. We are acknowledging that even if we have pain, suffering, or stress in our lives we do not have to feel that exclusively, we can also allow room for simple pleasure. By doing this, we remind ourselves that we do not have to live in an ‘all or nothing’ state. Even if we are struggling, there is room for joy and vice versa. We are finding balance and there is peace, harmony, and acceptance in balance.
The Mindfulness Awareness Research Centre of UCLA has actually found gratitude to change the neural structures of our brains, increasing our happiness. Gratitude also releases dopamine and serotonin in our brains- feel good chemicals. There are so many incredible additional benefits to gratitude. You can find out more about the incredible benefits of gratitude here: https://positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/.
Paying Attention to the Simple Pleasures of life with Mindfulness
The power of paying attention to the simple pleasures of life is held in the mindfulness of the action. When we practice paying attention to these simple pleasures, we must acknowledge that any emotion we feel in that moment is alright and accepted. As soon as we start to put pressure on ourselves to feel ‘happier’ for doing this activity, we contradict the underlying power of the activity.
When you focus on the simple pleasures of life, the key is to focus on the moment, without expectations, without worrying about the past or the future. Allow any feelings to come up and drift by and bring your attention to the simple pleasure. Allow that pleasure to speak to you, it does not need to be forced, just think about the great things that pleasure is doing for you and notice that moment, and then carry on with your life. These small pleasures will be scattered throughout your day. Focus on these small things when you need respite from the stresses of life.
Enjoy the little things in life for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things
Kurt Vonnegut
Some of the Simple Pleasures of Life
Simple Pleasures using your Sense of Hearing
- The voices of familiar people
2. The reassuring constant background noise – there are some things that will always have a constant presence in your life. Background noise is one of these familiar and comforting simple pleasures.
3. The calming sounds of nature – birds singing, trees blowing in the wind, insects…These are some of the most wholesome simple pleasures.
4. The relaxing sound of the wind blowing outside
5. The sound of the kettle boiling and the hot water bubbling, ready to make you a warm drink
6. Hearing the words ‘I love you’
7. Listening to music that matches your mood
Simple Pleasures using your Sense of Taste
- The first sip of your morning tea or coffee
2. Trying a new food and getting completely absorbed in the unique taste of the food
3. Trying to find the words to describe the taste of a food – challenge your brain with this absorbing simple pleasure.
4. A cold drink in summer
5. Eating one of your favourite family recipes
6. Eating a meal you prepared yourself
7. Eating a meal cooked by someone you love – one of the most heart-warming simple pleasures that makes you feel warm and loved inside.
8. Indulging in something sweet without guilt
The Simple Pleasures Using Movement and Feeling
- The comfort that comes from doing repetitive movement – getting into the rhythm of the movements (repetitive movements are proven to help you process difficult emotions and relieve tension).
2. Paying attention to the incredible way your body works – your ability to breathe in air, swallow, blink… These are simple pleasures we can so easily overlook.
3. Your mind’s ability to produce emotions – even if these emotions are difficult, the experience of being able to feel different emotions is an amazing thing.
4. The fact that you can see different things and experience being exposed to different sights and experiences
5. The different textures you can feel with your hands and your body– noticing the softness, warmth, smoothness, fuzziness, and roughness of different surfaces.
6. Smelling something nice– the smell of coffee in a café, the smell of a candle burning, the smell of the damp ground after it has rained…
7. The feeling of clothes that surround your body and keep you safe, warm and protected
8. The feeling of being hugged, or simply held – you can feel held by wrapping a blanket around yourself.
9. Stretching your body at the end of the day and releasing any tension that has built up in your muscles – one of the greatest simple pleasures.
10. Doing intense exercise that releases feelings of stress and anger– letting your body perspire and release the toxins.
11. Dancing alone or with someone else – moving freely in the moment without caring what others think.
Simple Pleasures – Actions and Activities
- Your ability to go to sleep at night while your mind and your body process the day – this is one of the greatest simple pleasures.
2. Learning something new just for the sake of it – choosing to learn the things that genuinely interest you.
3. Fashion, colours, patterns – expressing yourself through your clothing.
4. Watching something funny and allowing yourself to belly-laugh
5. Watching the world go by, the people interacting – observing the elderly with love and the youth with warmth. Thinking about the strangers that sit across from you on the train and how their lives might be. Observing the people who pass by you on the street. This simple pleasure of observing can help you to learn a lot about people. It can also foster greater compassion and acceptance of other people.
6. Doing a creative activity – you can colour, paint, learn how to do embroidery or sewing. There are many different types of creative activities, so you can enjoy discovering which ones you like the most. If you want to learn how to make a vintage scrapbook, I have a step-by-step guide for you here: https://serenelycreative.com/how-to-make-a-vintage-scrapbook-be-creative-and-mindful/.
7. Using your imagination to visualise the things that bring you peace and relaxation – our imaginations are some of the best vehicles to deliver some of the greatest simple pleasures of life! Use your imagination to visualise peaceful scenery, or an image that brings you serenity. You can return to this place whenever you need some peace.
8. Taking a shower or bath at the end of the day– a great simple pleasure is feeling clean. Visualise yourself cleaning the stress and tension of the day off of you as you wash your skin.
9. Taking care of your body and your appearance– there is something very peaceful and comforting about taking some quiet time out to file your nails or put oil in your hair. One of the greatest simple pleasures of life is enjoying the process of things. Not everything is about the result, try to put mindfulness into the process of things because that is a great part of life.
10. Reading a new book and getting caught up in the world of the story
11. Meeting a new person- every person is a whole world. You can learn so much for people, and every person has a unique and beautiful place in the world that nobody else can fill. It is a beautiful thing to meet a new person, it can give you a whole new perspective as if you have the glasses to look into a whole new world.
12. Exchanging a smile with another person
13. Spending quality time with loved ones
14. Helping someone out and giving to others – one of the greatest simple pleasures in life is helping others. When you help other people you also feel happier.
15. Unwinding at the end of a long day– changing into your pyjamas, dimming the lights, tying your hair back and removing your makeup…
16. Having a conversation with someone
17. Writing your thoughts, feelings, or past memories down on paper
18. Buying something small from a shop and really appreciating what you buy
19. Sitting outside and soaking in the sun during the summer – one of the best seasonal simple pleasures!
20. Playing a board game and trying your best to win
21. Scrolling on social media or watching a YouTube video with intention – the key here is the word ‘intention’, be mindful not mindless!
22. Exercising your brain by doing a puzzle or a quiz
23. Playing an instrument
24. Walking outside with a warm drink in a flask on a cold day
25. Having a late night deep meaningful conversation with someone else (or with yourself!)
26. Listening to music while you run errands
27. Having a lie-in and waking up late – allowing yourself to be lazy sometimes or take a break without feeling guilty is one of the most important simple pleasures!
28. Cleaning and decluttering your environment- this includes your house/flat/room, but it also includes removing bad influences/harmful music, and social media influencers, etc from your life.
29. Watching TV at the end of a long day
30. Taking yourself on a solo date– You can enjoy simple pleasures alone, with the freedom of going where your feet and your mind take you (of course it is important to always make good decisions and stay safe though).
31. Watching old videos of when yourself, friends, or family were younger
32. Reading inspiration quotes and poems, making Pinterest vision boards and feeling inspired
Other Random Simple Pleasures of Life to Pay Attention To
- The intricate beauty of the world– from the stars in the sky to the detailed patterns of insects.
2. Things that come around every year- an example of one of these simple pleasures is birthdays.
3. The way that the sky is constantly changing as the day progresses
4. The freshness and hope of new beginnings
5. The changes that come with each new season– If you want to learn more about the power of spring, you can learn how to level-up using the unique characteristics of spring here: https://serenelycreative.com/reinvent-yourself-during-the-spring-season-11-ways-to-level-up/.
6. Holidays
7. Fresh air
8. Being able to sleep in your own warm bed
9. New experiences
10. Familiar people
11. The comfort and stability of some systems– such as public transport, etc.
12. Great inventions and technology- One of the most incredible simple pleasures is witnessing new inventions being made, and also taking a step back and acknowledging how incredible certain inventions we view as just ‘normal’ are. Think about how aeroplanes work, how so much information and ability is held within your small phone, etc.
13. Luxurious things- not all luxurious things are expensive. If you have a few luxuries in your life take time to appreciate them fully. Appreciate the beautiful packaging on a box of chocolates, or the beautiful texture of a body cream.
Round-up
I hope that you have taken something positive from what you have read today to apply to your life. You now have 71 ideas of simple pleasures to add to your resource list, and you can continue adding to this list! Thank you for being here and well done for taking the steps towards living a more peaceful life.
Sending love and hugs,
Yasmin
