This website may contain affiliate links. Meaning if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a commission. You can read the full disclosure below. If the product is an Amazon product here is the link to the Amazon Affiliate disclosure.
*******************************************************
We can all use some simple joys in life to brighten up our days. Beauty and joy is all around us and we can create opportunities to have more balance and comfort daily. Here are some simple joys that you can incorporate in your daily life. I provide a list to inspire you, but consider just taking up one or two that are truly achievable.
Learn something new
Learn something new everyday. You don’t necessarily have to read Shakespeare or nuclear physics. Even the simple joys in life of reading something fun, such as fashion, makeup, recipes, or a good magazine will engage your brain and contribute to joy! Better yet, take a course, go to a museum, watch a TED talk, etc.
Plan an event to look forward to
Having the anticipation of fun event planned in the future can really keep you going through the humdrum day-to-day busyness. It could be a lunch with friends, a night out with your spouse, or a vacation. It’s always great to have something on the calendar to look forward to.
Wear something comfortable and cozy
I love to feel cozy at home. One way to do this is wear a comfortable white nightgown. Maybe accompany this feeling with a cup of tea, a good magazine or binge watching your favorite series on tv.
Lavendar Fields Jacaranda Living Chrissy White Cotton Nightgown
Play Pickleball
Yes, you read it right! Play pickleball or any social sport, tennis, golf, badminton, etc. Maybe take a zumba class. The point is to get activity and move your body while making friends. Last year, I took up Pickleball and made so many friends. It is a quick pick-up game that is easy to learn. The combo of fun people and blood pumping exercise is a prescription for joy.
Lose yourself in a good book
Carve some time into your schedule to read what you love. Read enjoyable material, not what is expected of you such as insurance papers or bills or what you are ‘supposed’ to be reading. This is the time for leisure, not guilt.
Wear a fabulous outfit
Raid your closet and find that one fabulous dress that makes you feel amazing. Sometimes just putting on something that makes you feel confidant and beautiful has a way of reenergizing us.
Pause….and take a deep breath
It’s easy to get swept away in the anxiety and stress of the go, go, go, mentality of a usual day. The easiest thing we can do wherever we are is to pause and breathe. We have this at our disposal, whenever we need it, and it will surely bring you some space and calm.
Listen to music that moves you
Something I have discovered while washing dishes after dinner is that if I put on some great music it really makes it go faster. I even prolong the washing just to hear more tunes. Music has a way of shifting our brain chemistry.
Make your bathroom a make-shift spa
Save some money on the occasional expensive spa treatment and have the convenience of turning your bathroom into a spa-like serene environment. Light some candles, take a warm bath, luxuriate with some bath soap. Put on a comfortable robe. This is a great go-to for tough days or ‘me-time’
Savor a cup of tea
Enjoy the slow art of brewing a really hot, cup of tea. Then take in the aroma and sip slowly. It is truly meditative to do this and slows down the pace of life. I love anything with cinnamon, and cloves such as chai. Herbal teas also have a wonderful calming effect.
Get outside
Leave your home and get outdoors. Take a walk or run, play outdoor sports, or simply sit on your porch, patio, or deck. A luxury would be getting out in nature for a hike.
Clean out your closet
I put on a cooking or reality show on tv while I take an hour to take out clothes from my closet I haven’t worn for awhile. Off season clothes go in storage in our garage. I have a box to donate and I separate clothes that need repair. It is wonderful to have closet space to rediscover some of my faves I forgot about because I couldn’t see them.
Refresh your work wardrobe
Have clothes ready for office days, meetings, work from home days, etc. Assemble outfits and put them in a section of your closet so you can easily grab them on busy mornings. Make sure they are comfortable, yet professional, especially if you work from home.
Binge watch a great drama on TV
Weekday evenings, I love to watch a few episodes of a good drama. It is great stress relief after a long day and really takes my mind to an engaging storyline.
Schedule some “me time”
Schedule some time with yourself where you do something you really enjoy. Perhaps it is reading a good book, watching your favorite TV show, or soaking in a tub. For me, this is weekday evenings but maybe you have Saturday afternoons, or prefer early mornings before work.
Eat dinner with your family
Sit down and have a meal with your family. Ask about their day or talk about current events. This is a great way to bond. If you have crazy schedules, and you can’t do this daily, try to schedule at least one evening do this.
Laugh
Take time to laugh with your spouse or family. Find a comedy movie, or something silly on social media. Laughter is truly good for the soul.
Take up a new hobby
During the pandemic, I took up sewing. It is actually a great way to get away from the computer for awhile. It really keeps my mind engaged. Consider reading, crafting, writing, a new sport, a side hustle, etc. So great for your brain cells.
Switch up the decor in a room
Look at one of your rooms in your home. Think about how you can switch things up. Maybe move the furniture around or add a new rug or pillowcase. Perhaps consider a new coat of paint or wallpaper or add some framed photos. A room refresh is so energizing.
Be grateful for the simple things
My most simple, beloved thing is my coffee in the morning. It is my time to wake up properly. I take it back to bed, meditate over the rich aroma, read the news, and do a crossword. What other simple things do you do that bring you joy in life? Practice them regularly and bring them out whenever you need a quick pick-me-up. May the simple joys in life brighten your 2025!
