60 Simple Joys in Life

We recently wrote about finding the simple joys in life and now that we’re knee deep in winter in the southern hemisphere, if feels like a good time to share a list of simple joys that may help people through the dreary winter.

This is a (not exhaustive) list of simple joys in life that make me smile.

• Big, long hugs from my children
• Calling Mum and telling her about my day
• Eating Mum’s food, cakes, biscuits…really anything form Mum
• Watching my kids play around with my parents
• A child’s uninhibited giggle
• A random act of kindness
• Listening to rain hit the roof
• Seeing a beautiful sunset
• Receiving a compliment
• Sunshine through a window
• The smell of trees and earth
• The smell right after it rains
• The smell of flowers
• The way that each flower has its own distinct beauty
• The sound of birds chirping
• The perfect hot chocolate (with marshmallows of course)
• A text from a loved one
• A smile from a stranger
• A meme that makes me laugh till my eyes water
• Movie night at home (popcorn a must)
• Breakfast for dinner
• Reading a new book
• Watching a playful puppy
• A vase with fresh flowers from the garden
• Laughing until I cry
• A clean house
• Friendly neighbours
• Accomplishing a goal
• A freshly made bed
• A warm and cosy bed on a cold night
• Playing family games
• A summer thunderstorm
• Looking at the stars (then being corrected by my kid who tells me which planet it is)
• A nice evening walk
• Finding the exact item I was looking for on sale
• Catching up with a friend I haven’t talked to in awhile
• A new notebook
• Cinnamon rolls
• Gelati
• The sound of waves crashing
• A song or smell that brings back good memories
• Watching a TV show or movie I loved when I was a kid
• The crisp air of autumn
• Sitting in nature
• Friends who become family
• The smell of freshly baked cookies
• The change of the seasons
• A soft & cozy blanket
• Meeting someone who immediately gets me
• A good night’s sleep
• Completing a task that I had been avoiding
• Eating dinner outside on a warm summer evening
• Relaxing at the beach with those I love
• The taste of ripe summer fruit
• Unexpectedly running into a friend
• Listening to a helpful podcast episode
• Singing along to my favourite song
• Doing something thoughtful for someone else
• Carrying on my favourite childhood traditions with my kids
• Marking a task off my to-do list

I hope this sparks some ideas of your own to add to your list.