In a world of endless possibilities, it often feels impossible to find true happiness if you don’t have it all. I’ll often hear my grandkids talking about how they will “literally die” if they don’t get the latest cell phone or video game. I’m not one to openly compare their childhood’s to my own, but it does make me wonder – what is there to be happy about?
Truth is, we don’t need a huge house and a lot of money to be happy. Even the richest, most successful people will have their own hidden battles. Sure, money can be a huge root of happiness, but it won’t solve everything.
In my opinion, humans need to strip back everything we have and take it right back to basics. We need to recalibrate and enjoy the little things in life – from our lungs to the gentle wings of a butterfly.
It’s time to be grateful about the little things, so here are my 145 simple things to be happy about!
If you want to smile even wider check out 50 feel-good quotes!
Simple things to be happy about
- Cool breeze on a warm day
- The smell of a roast dinner
- The smell of cookies in the oven, for that matter
- A “good hair” day
- A smile from a stranger
- Returning a smile from a stranger
- Fresh, crisp bed sheets
- A dishwasher and basin with no dirty dishes
- Birds singing in the morning
- Birds gathering around the bird feeder
- Squirrels gathering around the bird feeder to pick up the food the birds dropped
- The shape of clouds
- The different shapes of the moon
- A hot shower
- Or a bubble bath
- The smell of freshly mown grass
- The satisfying “pop” of bubble wrap
- New makeup
- Cleaning off said makeup
- A clean house
- One of those “I can’t put it down” books
- Uncontrollable laughter
- The feeling of cool grass on your feet
- The feeling of soft sand between your toes
- A bunch of flowers
- The smell of coffee
- The sweet dog that lives across the street
- Seeing a newborn baby in a cafe
- Going to a friend’s house for dinner
- Seeing your family
- Hearing the gentle “pitter patter” of rain against a window
- The gentle rumble of distant thunder
- Having the exact amount of change in your wallet
- A soft blanket
- Homemade and healthy food
- Alternatively, a huge and cheesy pizza
- A comforting film
- Watching someone’s face light up as they tell a story
- Chocolate. In any form.
- Every sunset
- Every sunrise
- The sound of the sea against the shore
- A crisp glass of white wine
- The satisfying noise of opening a soda can
- Finding money in the pocket of a jacket
- Finding the right shade of foundation
- The purr of a cat
- The feeling of the cat’s soft fur
- Pressure washing the deck
- Starting a new diary at the beginning of the year
- A good hug
- The smell of an old or new book
- The smell of fresh lavender
- Playing a great board game with loved ones
- Having a good stretch after waking up
Simple things I love about spring
Ah…spring. Aren’t the changeable seasons wonderful? There’s so much to be grateful for in springtime, even with the temperamental weather!
- The morning frost
- The pure smell of spring
- The sense of a fresh beginning
- A spring clean
- April showers
- The flowers in the garden beginning to bloom
- The sight of newborn lambs in fields
- Chocolate at Easter
- If you celebrate it, Easter itself
- Watching the grandkids run around the garden on their Easter egg hunt
- A cool yet bright spring day
- Hearing the buzz of happy bumblebees as their favorite flowers open up
Simple things I love about summer
I mean, who doesn’t love summer? Sure, you’ve got the sunburn and the constant biting of bugs, but there’s so much more to be happy about than frustrated about.
- Getting an ice cream from an ice cream van
- The smell of sunscreen
- The warmth – obviously
- Visiting the beach or the lake
- Sunbathing
- Reading a book in the sun
- Gardening
- Swimming in a lake, the sea, or a pool
- Watching freckles appear on my skin
- Wearing floral clothing
- Wearing colorful bathing suits
- Inviting friends over for drinks in the evening
- An afternoon nap where your skin is still warm enough you don’t have to wear a blanket
- A good ol’ barbecue
- Going on vacation
- Making and eating a fresh salad
- Watching the kids play in the garden
- Driving in a car with the roof down
- Picnics in a meadow
- Sitting by a cooling fan when it gets too hot
- Noticing a better mood (thank you serotonin!)
- Longer daylight hours
Simple things I love about fall
Fall is my personal favorite season out of the whole year, and I think a lot of you will agree with me. Sure, the weather is getting worse as the months go by, but fall is exceptionally wonderful.
- Stepping on a satisfyingly crispy leaf
- Watching the seasons change in the color of the orange trees
- Darker evenings and mornings
- Sitting by a crackling fire
- Going on vacation to a lake house or cabin
- Watching your favorite films
- Getting candy ready for trick or treaters at Halloween
- Preparing your grandkid’s costumes for Halloween
- Everything about pumpkins – especially carving! (You’re never too old)
- Warm coffee and hot chocolate
- The smell of cinnamon
- Curling up on the couch under a warm blanket
- Apple cider – even better, hot apple cider
- Bonfires and toffee apples
- Fireworks
- The flickering of candles
- The overall feeling of coziness
Simple things I love about winter
Winter is far more than receiving gifts at Thanksgiving and Christmas!
- Even darker mornings and evenings means going to bed earlier and staying in longer!
- The first fall of snow
- The first footstep into a bed of fresh snow
- Rolling the perfect snowball
- Wrapping up in sweaters, scarves, hats, and gloves
- Hot cocoa with those little marshmallows
- The satisfaction of knowing that you don’t have to go into work because of the snow
- Watching Christmas movies!
- Making small and meaningful gifts for your family and friends
- Making a big batch of warming soup with croutons
- Preparing and eating all the delicious roast dinners
- Decorating the Christmas tree
- Looking at twinkling lights
- Looking at twinkling lights without your glasses on (it’s truly magical!)
- Seeing your breath in the cold air
- The satisfaction of warming yourself up indoors
- The chance to start afresh with a new year
- Hosting festive parties
- Pajama days
- The natural rosy blushed cheeks
- Frozen lakes
- No humidity means no frizzy hair
- Hearing your youngest grandchild laugh for the first time
Simple things I love about family
Being a mother and a grandmother, not a day goes by where I’m not grateful for my family. I love the huge moments, like finding out I was going to be a grandmother and when my eldest daughter got her dream job, but the little moments are equally enjoyable.
- And hearing them say their first words
- Being told your child or grandchild loves you
- When someone helps you tidy up in the kitchen
- The smell of a clean baby
- Buying and making things for your grandkids
- Teaching your grandkids how to read
- Watching your children grow into wonderful people
- Hearing the grandkids laugh
- Watching the grandkids in their school plays
- Allowing the grandkids to lick the bowl after you’ve made a cake mixture
- Preparing the snack cupboard in anticipation for when the grandkids come over
- Knowing you are making lifelong memories for your grandkids to remember you by
- Sharing the joy of being a grandparent with your friends
- Treating your friends as your family
- Having a loving, balanced, and respectful relationship with your partner
- Getting to love your family and friends
What makes you happy?
As you can tell by this enormous list of the simple things in life that make me happy, I want you to consider what gives you true joy. Sure, you’re allowed to be ecstatic about getting a degree or a pay rise or a new car or a new pair of shoes – but what makes you truly happy?
We have to step back in life sometimes to appreciate the small things. We must be grateful for the air that fills our lungs, the very air that keeps us alive enough to experience such wonders of the world. It can be as small as making a great cup of tea, to something as big as going to the Grand Canyon.
Mindfulness is something that I try to practice every day. It comes with a lot of time and patience, believe me, so don’t expect to become a master immediately!
Sometimes, when life seems to be going a bit too fast for you, you just have to take several steps back to be grateful for the things that make your life so wonderful.
We are all so, so lucky. It’s time we give some appreciation to the little things in life that make us happy!
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