Discover what it means to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and find a list of 127 examples of simple pleasures that have the power to fill every day with joy!
It can be so easy to think that, if you had just a little more money or a little more fame, you would be happy.
Or maybe you live each day wishing you had just a little bit more money so that you would have the freedom to enjoy the grander things in life.
But have you ever considered that you might have the power to be happy RIGHT NOW?
So often, we think that without money and constant excitement, life just isn’t that great. But we couldn’t be more wrong.
Truthfully, I believe that happiness and the enjoyment of life actually come from the little things we experience every day.
You don’t need fame or fortune or any level of success in order to enjoy life.
Instead, you need to harness the ability to find joy in the simple pleasures of life. These things are truly where joy lies.
Today, I want to share with you a few truths about the joy of savouring the simple things in life so that you can be encouraged to seek these things out for yourself. I will also be sharing 127 simple pleasures that you experience today!
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What counts as a simple pleasure?
Simple pleasures do not require money or status.
You’ve heard a story like this told before:
A man who lives a simple life with his quiet family and modest home dreams of having more.
He dreams of someday rising to the top and earning the respect of all who know him.
After years and years of giving everything to his career, he finally has it.
He sacrificed everything to get there- his family, his social life, his health, his time- and he finally succeeded!
Unfortunately, he grows to realize that the money and status he now has feels empty.
Why is it that this story always ends the same way? And why does this thing we always strive to attain fail to bring us happiness in the end?
Maybe it’s because we’re chasing the wrong dream.
The things that can bring you true joy in life have nothing to do with money or status. Simple pleasures don’t require big paychecks or glitzy careers.
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Simple pleasures can be found in the work you do
We might not find happiness in reaching the top of our career but the right kind of work can certainly bring us joy.
When we choose to do work that we are passionate about and that we are built for, we can find great happiness in giving that work our best effort every day.
When you find a job that you are excited about, give it your full effort every day and you will find happiness there.
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Simple pleasures can be found in our relationship with our creator
You can chase the perfect life forever, but without God at the center, you will never find it.
God is our creator. He is the one who made all that we have and gave it to us out of his pure love.
We can certainly enjoy those things on our own, but they mean so much more when we know they were given as a gift from him.
When you stop looking at the things in your life as something that you earned with your own hands, things will start to change.
As you realize that God is the reason for every good thing in your life, you can live with greater happiness of knowing just how loved you are by the one who matters most. And that is a beautiful thing to know.
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What are examples of small pleasures?
Small pleasures are the moments in your day that are not grand or complicated but bring you joy and comfort just the same. They are the experiences in your day that make you happy to be alive and give you something to look forward to each day.
Life is not about owning the nicest things or having the most respected job.
It is in the simpler things in life: a family who loves you, a hearty meal with friends, a cool walk in the park with your dog, the sound of rain on the window.
This whole world was created as a gift to us, and we should learn to enjoy life’s simple pleasures as the beautiful gift they are.
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What simple pleasure makes us the happiest?
Different people prefer different forms of enjoyment in life. The things that you consider simple pleasures might not seem that way to others.
You will have to experiment with many different experiences yourself to determine what makes you happy. Try out lots of different activities from the list below and see what makes you feel best!
127 Simple pleasures in life that can bring joy to every day
Seasonal Pleasures
Some simple pleasures that you experience come with the changing seasons.
Simple Pleasures of Summer
- Watching ants that are busy at work
2. Letting the sun kiss your face while you sit outside
3. Jumping into a pool of cool water on a hot day
4. Eating ice cream on a park bench
5. Watching the smiling faces of families as they spend a day off together at the park
Simple Pleasures of Fall
6. Taking your first sip of a pumpkin spice latte you bought from a local coffee shop
7. Going apple picking at a local farm
8. Laying your foot down on a dry autumn leaf and listening to the satisfying crunch
9. Sitting outside and enjoying the cool breeze that is starting to replace the summer heat
10. Watching the leaves slowly change colour on the trees
Simple Pleasures of Winter
11. Listening to the way the whole world gets a little quieter as the animals hibernate and the snow muffles any sound
12. Reading a book inside under a blanket while snow falls outside
13. Eating a warm and comforting stew on a cold day
14. Cozying up by a fire after a chilly walk outside
15. Bundling up in hats, scarves, and sweaters when the weather gets cold
Simple pleasures of Spring
16. Listening to birds chirping for the first time since the beginning of winter
17. Taking off your winter mitts when the weather finally becomes warm enough
18. Opening your windows to enjoy the warmer breeze and to let fresh air into your home
19. Witnessing plants starting to grow and bud
20. Putting away your winter clothes until next year
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Hygge Pleasures
The Danish concept of Hygge is all about enjoying the cozier things in life. Here are some things they would recommend as simple pleasures to add to your daily routine:
21. Picking out your favourite mug to use for your morning cup of coffee
22. Enjoying a game night with friends in your home
23. Eating a warm dinner by candlelight
24. Getting cozy under a pile of blankets while listening to music
25. Taking care of the plants you’ve accumulated in your home
26. Drinking a cup of hot chocolate after a walk in cold weather
27. Sharing a meal with a close friend
28. Eating breakfast in bed
29. Sending a hand-written card to a friend (or receiving a card from a friend)
30. Having a picnic on a pleasant day
31. Wearing knit socks while doing a relaxing activity (like reading)
32. Visiting a local farmer’s market
33. Enjoying a calm bath
35. Making your own baked goods and enjoying them with a warm beverage
36. Watching a movie curled up with blankets and popcorn
37. Putting flowers you found into a vase in your house
38. Growing herbs in your garden
39. Going on a bike ride
40. Lying in a hammock in the shade
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Simple pleasures you’ll likely find in your daily morning routine
41. Taking your first sip of water in the morning
42. Waking yourself up with a splash of water on your face
43. Stretching muscles that got stiff while sleeping
44. The sound of eggs and bacon sizzling on the pan for breakfast
45. Enjoying a book with your morning coffee/tea
46. Taking your first breath of fresh air since sleeping
47. Smelling your perfume or creams as you apply them
48. Enjoying a cleansing shower after a night of rest
49. Taking a slow walk in the morning and saying ‘Good Morning’ to those you pass
50. Hanging out in your pyjamas for as long as possible simply because they’re cozy
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Simple pleasures you’ll likely find in your daily night routine
51. Changing into cozy clothing after a long day of work
52. Lighting candles as the sun sets
53. Washing your face and body after returning home for the day, removing any dirt and sweat that has accumulated over time
54. Eating a hearty meal with a loved one
55. Watching your favourite show to wind down for the night
56. Reading before bed and observing your eyes getting heavier and heavier
57. Stretching your body and slowing down your mind for sleep
58. Journaling about your day with your favourite pen
59. Snuggling under the covers and noticing the warmth and softness of your pillow
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Sounds that can bring you pleasure
60. Wind chimes heard in the breeze
61. Waves crashing in the ocean
62. Laughter of all kinds
63. Live music, whether it’s a professional or just someone on the side of the road
64. Cicadas buzzing in the summer heat
65. The quiet chatter at a restaurant
66. Coffee being prepared at a cafe
67. Your perfect road trip playlist that you listen to on every car ride, no matter how short
68. Trees rustling in the wind
69. Thunder rumbling during a storm
70. Rain hitting the window on a quiet night
71. The crackling of a fire
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Smells that can bring you pleasure
72. Your favourite soap that you use for your hands or in the shower
73. Coffee roasting in the morning
74. A meal that is filling your home with its scent
75. Cedarwood in a sauna
76. Cinnamon being added to just about anything
77. Pine trees on a nature walk
78. The smell of an orange peel as you open it
79. Your favourite sunscreen
80. Fresh-cut grass
81. Flowers of all kinds
82. Freshly baked bread
83. Fresh laundry
84. Vanilla
85. Lavender
86. Your favourite candle burning
87. Campfires
88. Fallen leaves
89. The pages of an old book
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Simple pleasures you can experience through touch
90. A warm hug
91. Warming your hands by a fire
92. A big body stretch
93. Wearing a knit sweater
94. Sinking into a cushiony seat
95. A soft rug under your feet
96. A comfortable bed to relax in at the end of the day
97. Fuzzy socks when your feet get cold
98. Petting an animal
99. Having someone play with your hair
100. Receiving a massage from a loved one
101. Holding a warm mug with your bare hands
102. A hot shower on a cold day or a cold shower on a hot day
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Sights that can bring you pleasure
103. The sunrise or the sunset
104. A bird that sat still long enough for you to look at it
105. Smiles from strangers
106. A beautiful garden or forest
107. Blue skies or clouds that are in fun shapes
108. Pieces of art that resonate with you
109. Soft lighting on a calm night
110. Sunlight streaming in from a window
111. A clean and organized space
112. A still body of water
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Tastes that can bring you pleasure
113. Your favourite food or meal
114. A simple piece of chocolate
115. A meal that someone else cooked for you
116. Freshly picked berries
117. Comfort foods like chicken soup, macaroni and cheese, and stews
118. Seasonal flavours like cinnamon, peppermint, and pumpkin spice
119. Carnival foods or other foods that remind you of a happy memory
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Self-Care Pleasures
120. Sleeping in on the weekend
121. Finishing a book or getting lost in a book you just started
122. Having a good laugh
123. Enjoying an impromptu nap
124. Feeling good about a workout you just did
125. Dancing just for fun
126. Enjoying a day where you don’t have any responsibilities
127. Remembering a happy memory
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As you go into your day, remember that happiness is in your grasp RIGHT NOW.
It is not a matter of what you own or what you have achieved.
Your happiness today will be found in the little things, as long as you know how to find them.
Enjoy the food you have. Notice the warmth of the sun on your face. Appreciate the sound of music in your ears.
Because that is where happiness is found.
What sort of simple things bring you pleasure in life?
I love this list! I kind of want to print it out and keep it for when I’m feeling down, haha. 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
I’m glad you liked it! Hmmm, maybe I should make a printable; I certainly wouldn’t mind printing it for myself, too!
Great ideas to use as a part of my self care routine! I love the calming feeling that being outdoors gives me so I will be trying several of your suggestions! Thank you!
That’s a great way to use these ideas! I love knowing that self-care doesn’t mean you have to splurge on money or time; it can be simple things, too!
A simple pleasure for me is going to work in winter with the sunrise in the horizon over the sea. The colour of the sky is amazing.
That’s beautiful, Irene! Such a great example of the simple things we can enjoy in life.
What an awesome post! You’re so right, there are simple pleasures all around us if we would just take the time to SEE them and NAME them. God’s blessings and pleasures abound! If we’re in a state of always wanting more, we will never be content!
Yes! For me, the day I finally understood this was the day that I became truly content with my life. Things are good just as they are today!
Perfect! Love this because if it’ wasn’t for God I wouldn’t be here, ( almost died 3xs) and anything I receive that is good comes from Him. I don’t have to strive to maintain it. He provides the way. I’ve learned that if I try to make it happen it’s a total mess I have called on Him to recuse me from. I still deal with the consequences of my actions but He is there to make it better.
Wow, what an incredible story! Thank you for sharing 🙂