The BEST 55 Simple Pleasures in Life for 2024

55 Simple Pleasures in Life will help you celebrate moments. We all know that life can sometimes be hard. Even brutal.  Being kind to yourself is the least you can do.

If you’re looking for more ways to simplify your life, Path to Simplicity: 25 Simple Living Ideas to Try and Simple Things to be Grateful For will help you on your journey.

Treating yourself well doesn’t have to cost much.  You just have to look around and find more small things that add pleasure to your day.

There’s only one of you and its time to start treating yourself as well as you treat others. Inviting simple pleasures into your life is a start on crafting a life you deserve.

What are the simple pleasures in life? 

Simple pleasures are little things that give us joy on an ordinary day.  

They don’t cost very much money, if anything.  What’s a simple pleasure for me, might not be something that gives happiness to another.

We can weave these nurturing moments together to help us weather through the more difficult times in life. By incorporating life’s simple pleasures regularly, they will help lower your stress level on a daily basis.

According to Psychology Today, simple pleasures are “Experiences that are brief, positive, emerge in everyday settings, and are accessible to most people at little or no cost.”

The advantage of small pleasures is they don’t take much effort to do, yet the payoff can be transforming.

What small pleasures give you the most happiness?

Everyone has a different idea of what gives them small pleasures.  

For me, watching snow fall is high on my good things list.  How snow transforms my surroundings still amazes me. For others, having a clean house or even just clean sheets makes them joyful.

Creating a Cozy Life Group

Since you found this article on the list of simple pleasures,  I’m guessing you like all things cozy living. I created a Facebook group called Creating a Cozy Life with over 69,000 like-minded souls.

It’s a group where we share recipes, pictures of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make your life just a little bit more snug. Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cottage.

“Here’s to fresh coffee, sunshine, morning walks, blooming flowers, good books, and all other simple but glorious pleasures of life.”

Nanea Hoffman

Here are 55 of Life’s Simple Pleasures

1. Strawberries & Balsamic Vinegar

Skipping dessert can leave you feeling cheated.  Why not find easy dessert ideas that are good for you?

Drench your strawberries in a high quality balsamic vinegar for dessert and savor every bite.

Savoring a healthy dessert is one of those little ways to add a pocket of happiness to the end of your day.

2. Create an Inspiration Board

What you look at every day influences your life.  Make sure you have an inspiration board that displays your hopes and dreams that includes your simple pleasures in life.

I have an inspiration board in my office.  An antique picture frame was painted white and I found the perfect-sized cork board to go inside the frame.

Light pink gingham and white fabric covered the cork board that goes perfectly with the colors of my home office.  Now my vision board is hung right above my desk, keeping me on track to achieve my dreams.

3. Make Your Garden into a Slice of Heaven

Reconnect with nature every day.  The easiest way to do this is to create a small space in the garden just for you.

Add a chair and small side table. Buy a gas grill and make your favorite BBQ recipes. If you really want to spoil yourself, put in a hot tub with a covered deck.

 Plant your favorite flowers and plants in this area. Remember to add plants with a sweet smell you love.  Lilacs, lavender, jasmine, mint and roses are just a few of the things that will transform your yard.

How about adding a small water fountain to the area? How to Make a Backyard Hygge Garden will help you get started on your own little oasis.

The feeling of the sun on your face as you listen to the birds sing while getting fresh air is one of the simplest things you can do for yourself, yet cultivates such joy.

4. Read Every Day

Even if you can only steal away 10 minutes a day, make sure to read something every day. One of the easiest ways to do this is to read first thing in the morning. It will become one of your favorite parts of your daily routine.

You also want it to be a good book you’ve always wanted to read for pleasure, not business or self-improvement.

I put together a list of cozy books if you’re looking for something new to read.

5. Look at the Moon

How often do you take the time to look at the moon?  Every night there’s a miracle waiting for us to gaze upon right outside our front door.

Make it a weekly tradition and bundle your whole family up and take a look. Taking long walks under the moonlit are memories worth making.

Did you know that the full moon names were given by the Native Americans of North America to keep track of the seasons according to the Farmers Almanac?

Here are the dates for the full moons in 2022:

January 17th, 2022 – Wolf Moon

February 16th, 2022 – Snow Moon

March 18th, 2022 – Worm Moon

April 16th, 2022 – Pink Moon

May 16th, 2022 – Flower Moon

June 14th, 2022 – Strawberry Moon

July 13th, 2022 – Buck Moon

August 11th, 2022 – Sturgeon Moon

September 10th, 2022 – Corn Moon

October 9th, 2022 – Harvest Moon

November 8th, 2022 – Frost Moon

December 7th, 2022 – Cold Moon

6. Embrace Uncertainty

Why are we so afraid to live our dreams?  Learning that uncertainty can be a friend is one of life’s simple pleasures.

When uncertainty enters your life, know you’re doing something a little dangerous.  Sometimes getting out of your comfort zone is a good thing.

7. Go on a Puppy Date

It’s time you and your best friend go on a date together.  You can treat your furry friend to an outing to the lake or even a restaurant with patio seating.

Today I treated my Golden Retriever for a long walk and a short drive to get a burger through drive-through.

Happy dog = happy you. Simple pleasures in life can include everyone you love, including fur-babies.

8. Write a Love Letter

If someone talked to you the way that you talk to yourself, they would no longer be a friend.  

It’s time to turn that around and start noticing how really great you are.

The best way to do this is to write down in a simple love note to yourself all the wonderful things that makes you special.  

When you hear yourself criticizing something you did again, it’s time to pull out the letter and remember how amazing you are.

9. Find a New Friend

Look for a new friend that has a different perspective in life than most of your other friends.  

If all of your friends are young, then mix it up and look for an older friend.

By expanding your associations to include people who you’re not normally around, it can add energy to your life and create new experiences. We could all use another good friend.

10. Make a Wish

Find one of those pesky dandelions and make a wish.  

Take your time and really think about what you would like to see entering your life that offers great happiness and then blow.

11. Dance Floor

When was the last time you danced?  If it’s been more than a year, it’s time to get your groove on.

Whether you start dancing for exercise or slow dance with your husband, dancing is one of the best simple pleasures that is both good for body and soul.

Start with your favorite music to get you in the mood and give yourself space in your living room to let yourself go.

12. Use Those Pipes

You can sing.  Ok – so you might not be able to sing very well – but you can definitely sing.  So…what’s stopping you?

Put on a song that inspires you to belt out the words and let go.

13.  Believe in Magic.

Spend a day looking for ways that make it magical.  When you look for something you will find more of it. Recognizing the good things in life is an easy way to give us the biggest happiness boost.

14. Keep a Record

Start keeping track of how far you’ve come.  Every week you learn something new and stretch yourself just a little bit further.

It’s time to start taking note and recognizing the strides you’re making in your life.

15. Bathe in Candlelight

Take a bubble bath in candlelight at the end of a long day. Pampering yourself is one of the simple joys we can add more of in our lives.

“The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and to have courage when things go wrong.”

Laura Ingalls Wilder

16. Smell the Rain

The next time it rains, celebrate it.  Sit on your front porch with a cup of coffee and give thanks for this natural wonder.

17. Ride a Bike

Riding a bike forces you to take in your surroundings.  If you live close to town, bike there.  

Cruise around your neighborhood and take note of the seasonal surprises you find along the way.

18. Do Nothing

Spend a day doing absolutely nothing.  Giving yourself downtime is one of life’s simple pleasures that can be transformative.

There’s nowhere to go, nobody to meet and accept no phone calls or text messages.  

Today is the day you just relax.

19. Paint

Take a paintbrush and create something beautiful.  

It doesn’t matter if you paint a rock or create a masterpiece – it’s time to bring your creative side back to life.

20. Go Horseback Riding

Find out where is the closest place that you can go riding and make the appointment.  

There’s something about getting on a such a beautiful animal and riding off that unleashes your wild side.

“Life is made up of small pleasures. Happiness is made up of those tiny successes. The big ones come to infrequently. And if you don’t collect all these tiny successes, the big ones don’t really mean anything.”

Norman Lear

21. Bake yourself a treat

Make yourself something you love.  

Whether you bake an apple cobbler or a cupcake, it’s time to make something for you and only you.

When we make ourselves delicious meals and desserts, you give yourself nurturing both to the body and spirit.

22. Go through pictures

Spend some time alone and go through your photo history.  

Look at your younger self and thank him or her for getting you through the hard parts.

23. Learn that Language

You know what I’m talking about.  Learn that language that you’ve always dreamed about speaking.  

Is it French…or maybe Italian?  Start today.

24. Look at yourself and smile

Really look at yourself and give yourself a smile.  After all…you definitely deserve it.

25. Take a catnap

Sneak off and take a little nap in the pocket of a day.

26. Reread a book from your childhood

Dust off your favorite book from childhood and reread it.  

Why did you love the book so much?  What about it was what drew you to it?

27. Use a family heirloom

Wear your mother’s favorite ring.  Break out grandma’s rolling pin.  Warm yourself with grandpa’s coat.  

Keeping loved one’s close that passed on is a way to connect to that positive energy.

28. List the loves of your life

Write down everyone in your life that you love.  Offer a blessing for each one.

29. Build a fire

There is something so calming about looking at a fire.  

Spend an evening in front of the fireplace and relax.  You could even cook a nice dinner in it for a change of pace.

30. Pick wildflowers

Find a place that you can pick some gorgeous wildflowers.  

Bring them home and put them in a beautiful vase to look at and remind yourself you are just as wild as they are.

“I’d rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.”

Emma Goldman

31. Create your own signature cocktail

Spend some time creating a cocktail that embodies your spirit.  Make a toast to you!

32. Go barefoot

Place those tootsies in the grass and feel how nice it is to run around barefoot and free. There’s something about the smell of fresh-cut grass that will have you smiling ear-to-ear.

33. Wear your pajamas all day

There’s no need to get dressed today.  Just spend the day in your favorite Jammies and do whatever you want.  Turn a good morning into a wonderful day.

Catch up on a series by watching back to back episodes, read a book or play with your cat.

34. Reconnect with someone in your past

Find that friend that you had in grade school.  Call that co-worker that supported you back in the day.

35. Research your name

Find out what your name means and make a list of all the famous people who also share it.  

You’ll do the name justice living a life you love.

36. Favorite song

Listen to all your favorite songs in one sitting.  I’m doing that right now as I type this.  

Think about what each song has meant to you and why you love the song.

37 Story of my life

If you don’t have a journal…start one. Your life is worth recording. Here’s a list of journal prompts to get you started.

38. Watch a black & white movie

Take yourself to a different time in history.  Watch that movie black and white movie you always heard of but never saw.

39. Take a drive

Find a small town that you’ve never been to and take a drive to see it. Exploring all the gifts a new place has to offer can be one of life’s simplest pleasures.

Treat yourself to lunch and find out the history of the place you’re visiting.

40. Start a new hobby

Learn something new.  Pick up that embroidery kit or become a beekeeper.  You decide.

If you’re looking for a new hobby to try, here’s a list I put together.

“Simply enjoy life and great pleasures that come with it.”

Karolina Kurkova

41. Become a photographer

Take your camera and head outside.  Capture a close-up of a leaf or take a series of pictures of various clouds. Pausing to study the little things can become an easy way to add simple pleasures to your day.

42. Do some research

Spend some time doing a little digging about something you’ve always wanted to know.  

How long has that sculpture been in town?  What are the best places to go in Hawaii?  Why do fireflies not live in my area?

43. Create a plot twist

If you’re unhappy with one part of your life, change the plot.  

Surprise everyone you know by going in a different direction.

44. Taste something new

Go out on a limb and try something you’ve never had.  Good times can be had simply by making your tastebuds happy.

Sample an exotic fruit.  Taste a slice of that cheese you can’t pronounce.  Sip on a beverage that sounds refreshing.

45. Go on an adventure

Visit that aquarium you never got to see.  What artist is exhibiting at your local gallery?  

Take yourself on a mini-adventure and check out something new.

“Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.”

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

46. Buy tickets

Treat yourself to go see someone you admire.  Is your favorite author coming to town?  

How about your favorite singer?  

There’s something different about seeing talent in person.

47. Celebrate

Have a party for you.  It’s time to honor yourself with a party.  

Buy yourself a cake and ice cream.  A party hat and a few horns couldn’t hurt anything.  And a party isn’t a party without confetti.

48. Climb a mountain

Lace up your hiking boots and take yourself to the mountains.  

Find a trail with a waterfall or an amazing view and head off on your trip.

49. Give thanks

Reflect on all the good in your life and give thanks for your blessings.

Here are some gratitude quotes to help get you started.

50. Bouquet of balloons

Buy a dozen balloons and spend the day giving them out.  You’ll feel great spreading kindness in the world. Simple pleasures can easily be had by making others smile.

51. Pick berries

Or go apple picking.  Maybe look for the perfect pumpkin patch.  Take your bounty back home and preserve it.

52. You time  

Send the kids on an adventure with hubby.

It’s time for the hubster to take those kiddos off your hands and give yourself some alone time to finish a project or simply to take a nap.

53. Immerse yourself in poetry

There’s a reason poetry stirs the heart. It’s time to find out why.

54. Art review

Take out your children’s artwork from when they were little and give thanks for having the experience of being with these miracles since they were born.

55. Welcome home

Make sure you smile each time you enter your front door by creating a welcoming entrance.

Paint your front door a cheerful red, hang a beautiful wreath on the door and have seasonal welcome mats.

Finding a proper porch light to welcome you and your family to home every night at the end of a work day will also be worth the time and effort.

We’ve reached the end of 55 of Life’s Simplest Pleasures.  I hope you enjoyed it.

Let me know in the comments below how you liked the 55 Simple Pleasures to Sweeten Your Day post and what your favorite ways to decorate your home are.

Make sure you join our Creating a Cozy Life – Hygge Style Facebook group.  You’re not going to believe how amazing it is. Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cabin.

Please pin this post on simple pleasures below on your Pinterest board to refer back to it again.

Thanks for stopping by!

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• The Best Simple Life Quotes

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