21 Simple Pleasures You Can Enjoy In A Moment’s Notice

Image courtesy of Harned Saber

EDITOR’S NOTE: In light of this month’s theme of ’simplicity’ I decided to re-publish this post from back in early September.  Enjoy!

Often times the best things in life are the simple things.  Those simple little pleasures that help us relax and appreciate all that we are blessed with.  So in light of this I have compiled a list of 21 simple pleasures that I enjoy on a regular basis.  I hope there is even just one piece of insight that will help brighten your day.

1: Get some fresh air.

I’m kind of a fresh air freak.  Anytime I need a pick me up I just go outside and breathe deeply through my nose.  Just like a fine wine, I taste the air with my nose.  Something about it is just plain rejuvenating.  So anytime you get a chance I would encourage you to ‘taste’ the air outside, let it fill your lungs and enjoy it to the fullest.

2: Have a cup of tea/coffee.

It’s hard to beat sitting in a comfortable chair while sipping on a hot beverage.  There’s just something about holding the hot cup in your hand, breathing in the vapors and felling the warmth come over you after every sip.

3: Read a chapter in your favorite book.

Sometimes you just need to get away.  Maybe you’re in a stressful situation or you are anticipating something in the future.  Anytime you need a healthy escape just grab a good piece of fiction and let your mind take you away.

4: Give a loved one a hug.

Having the power to provide love for another human being is a wonderful thing.  So to be able to show this love in a single, simple act is an opportunity that should be taken on a regular basis.  Next time you see a loved one, take a moment and give them a big, genuine hug.

5: Take a cat nap (rest your eyes).

Laying down in a dark, quiet room for even 15 minutes can be a great way to recharge your batteries.  Even better is its ability to allow you to gather your thoughts and get back your focus.

6: Go for a walk.

A great way to get some fresh air while enjoying a little exercise, going for a walk is a wonderful ’simple pleasure’.

7: Listen to some of your favorite music.

Just like music can aid in exercise, so too can a relaxing tune help you take a step back and enjoy the moment.  I like to have a playlist ready, full of my favorite ‘feel good’ music, so I can just pop on my head phones and drift away.

8: Send someone you care about a positive email.

The other day I was having a tough time and I had expressed this to a friend in an email.  A few hours later they sent an encouraging reply that really changed my mindset and helped me get out of my rut.  So I can tell you first hand that by placing a few kind words in a friends Inbox is a great ’simple pleasure’ that we should all take advantage of.

9: Watch a favorite movie.

This is one that is often only enjoyed when we get sick or laid out for a while.  We have nothing better to do so we might as well watch a good movie.  But, inevitably, we finish the movie and say to ourselves, “I forgot how much I enjoyed that old flick.”  So I say, don’t wait until you have to, but instead, take some time and enjoy the simple escape allowed by a great movie favorite.

10: Day dream.

As kids, this was something we did quite often.  At least I know I did.  But as we grow older we are less prone to just stair into nothingness and imagine the what ifs.  So the next time you need a little escape time, let yourself revert back to the ‘good old days’ and allow your mind to wander and wonder.

11: Have an organizing session.

This might sound like an odd ’simple pleasure’, but I find it quite relaxing and rewarding to find something in need of organizational attention and dive right in.  Make sure to pick something that carries no stress or responsibility.  Organizing the bills isn’t exactly a relaxing process, but maybe going through the books on your bookshelf or cleaning out the kitchen cupboards may be something to get your mind off the daily grind and let you feel productive at the same time.

12: Make a favorite dish for dinner.

Often times our favorite meals are the ones we only fix on special occasions.  Maybe we like things that take a little more time and effort to prepare and therefore don’t make it every night.  But I find that it’s worth putting in a little more time every once in a while to be able to enjoy the the simple pleasures that come from a tasty treat.

13: Look through your old photos.

Get out the photo album or go through your old digital images and remember these past experiences that were worth capturing.  Use this not only as a time to remember where you’ve been, but also to see how far you’ve come.

14: Go see a neighbor.

Next chance you get, take a few moments and pop over to a neighbor or friends house.  Say hello and ask them how there doing.  And not the old, “How’s it going?” kind, but really find out how they are and if there is anything that you can do for them.  And if nothing else, take it as an opportunity to encourage them and let them know how thankful you are to have them as a friend.

15: Revisit an old hobby.

I love hobbies.  I’ve had so many different ones I’ve lost count.  Every once in a while I like to reminisce about the days when I used to be into _____.  Often times I will google some things about the hobby and see the latest happenings in that particular arena.  It can really be a blast to see how far things have come or how much it has changed since you used to enjoy it yourself.

16: Nature watch.

There are few things that give me more of a sense of peace than just sitting back and watching the beautiful world around me.  We live on such a beautiful planet that it is a great privilege that we are able to see, smell, hear, taste and touch it.  So be sure to ALWAYS stop and smell the roses.

17: Journal.

Sometimes being a sort of physical form of day dreaming, journaling allows us to get the abstract images from our head and reconstruct them on paper.  This not only gives us great insight into our thoughts but can be a wonderful pleasure if done with sincerity and a positive focus.

18: Call up a friend.

It is easy to get caught up in the busyness of or our daily lives.  Over time we can lose touch with those people who are most important to us.  Reconnecting, even if only for a short phone call, is a great way to maintain those friendships.  So if you have a few minutes and remember this post, think of a friend that you’ve lost touch with and give them a ring.

19: Go on a picnic.

I love good food and I always enjoy spending time in nature.  So what better thing to do than combine these two great activities.  I know it’s a little more work, but it’s worth it.  So the next beautiful day that comes your way, pack up a meal and take your favorite person to a relaxing destination.  I promise you won’t regret it!

20: Watch the clouds roll by.

Another activity that seems to fade with age, laying in the grass and watching the clouds float on by is a ’simple pleasure’ that anyone can enjoy.

21: Count your blessings.

Each day brings us the good along with the bad, but at the end of the day it is our mindset that sets the mood for our lives.  It will be those who choose to focus on the positives, the many blessings we have been given, that will always be able to simply enjoy life and the pleasures that are right there in front of us.

“Life brings simple pleasures to us every day.  It is up to us to make them wonderful memories.”
~Cathy Allen