113 of the Best Simple Pleasures To Look For In Your Life

When it comes to finding joy on a daily basis, one of the best things we can do is look for the simple pleasures in life. There’s actually compelling scientific research that explains why focusing on life's simple pleasures is so important!

The scientific power of finding simple pleasures in life 

A lot of us think the best way to get ahead in life is to put the pedal to the metal. This mentality drives our goal setting and helps us stay on track. Or at least we think it will! 

A study was done in 2016 that actually found the opposite to be true. Instead of restricting our pleasure to achieve our goals, we are more successful when we find enjoyment in what the researchers defined as “simple pleasures”. These are pleasures that are accessible to nearly everyone without cost. They are short, positive, everyday pleasures. And they’re highly personal to you. Meaning what I think is a simple pleasure may not be what you think is a simple pleasure. 

The key is taking time to pause and find what these simple pleasures are for you. This is what will help us make progress on our daily life goals. And ultimately this will make us happy along the way.

How to look for and enjoy life’s simple pleasures

So, what are simple pleasures in life you might enjoy? The good news is that they’re probably all around you. And simple pleasures come in all shapes and sizes. They’re the things that help you enjoy life. 

There are many things that we do in daily life that can bring us pleasure. In fact, we have small things we do already that are enjoyable. Sometimes we just need to spend time thinking about them as small pleasures and things to be grateful for. 

In other words, it’s all about recognizing them and mentally cataloging these small things as something nice, something to be appreciated, and something that brings a smile to your face. After all, that’s a simple pleasure in a nutshell. 

113 Simple Pleasures in Life 

1. Waking up by the light of the sun and not your alarm
2. Going to bed the night before vacation
3. Receiving a handmade gift or handwritten note
4. Walking barefoot through plush grass
5. Stargazing during a meteor shower
6. Plating a meal you cooked for friends or family
7. Spending quality time with a loved one
8. Finishing a hike with a beautiful view
9. Listening to your favorite music while walking or running
10. Sleeping well and feeling refreshed the next morning
11. Adding something life-giving to your daily routine 
12. Laying in a hammock
13. Starting to feel better after being sick 
14. Finding something special delivered on your doorstep
15. Lighting your favorite candle
16. Taking the first sip of your favorite beverage
17. Stepping on crunchy leaves in the fall 
18. Eating a nib of dark chocolate 
19. Looking back at old photos 
20. Visiting your favorite place in your hometown 
21. Reflecting on good times with old friends
22. Coming into work to an organized desk 
23. Being able to sit back relax after a long day
24. Hearing the wind blow a windchime
25. Smelling fresh laundry tumbling in the dryer
26. Breathing salty fresh air at the beach 
27. Buying something nice for yourself “just because” 
28. Waking up to snow on the ground
29. Taking the first bite of your favorite meal 
30. Visiting a new local park and being proud of your community
31. Coming home to a clean house
32. Planning an event to honor someone else 
33. Hugging someone who needs emotional support
34. Being able to let loose and show your true self
35. Going to the farmer’s market on a Saturday morning  
36. Writing on the last page of a journal 
37. Waiting for the ocean to wash up to your toes 
38. Realizing there’s another season of the show you love
39. Being read out loud to 
40. Going on a long walk with your dog
41. Blowing bubbles with bubble gum
42. Taking time to plan your week and get organized
43. Giving an unexpected gift
44. Staying dry under an umbrella 
45. Taking a cleansing deep breath
46. Seeing the fireflies start blinking on a summer night
47. Listening to live music
48. Finishing a good book and starting a new book 
49. Staying inside on a stormy day 
50. Tracking goal progress in your journal 
51. Watching your favorite show with someone who’s never seen it before
52. Shaking hand warmers and feeling them start to heat up 
53. Making people laugh with an unintentional joke or pun
54. Popping bubble wrap after opening a package
55. Getting a baby to giggle or smile at you
56. Merging on the highway at the start of a road trip
57. Sitting by a campfire 
58. Picking up a loved one at the airport
59. Getting your hair brushed by someone else
60. Realizing your favorite clothing item is actually clean
61. Listening to little kids have a conversation
62. Coming home from work 
63. Adding fairy lights to your bedroom or favorite home space
64. Taking fresh-baked cookies out of the oven
65. Turning up the radio when a good song comes on
66. Experiencing post-workout endorphins or “runner’s high”
67. Trying on clothes that fit perfectly 
68. Helping someone when they’re in need
69. Putting on your favorite perfume 
70. Getting an unexpected compliment on your work 
71. Finding money left in a coat pocket
72. Using a coupon code when shopping online 
73. Climbing into bed with fresh sheets
74. Perfectly wrapping a present 
75. Seeing a city skyline 
76. Noticing the seasons changing
77. Putting chapstick on dry lips
78. Shedding bulky coats and scarves 
79. Planting flower bulbs in winter and seeing them bloom in spring
80. Getting positive test results back 
81. Adding a new line to your resume 
82. Having the door held for you 
83. Smelling freshly cut grass
84. Dipping down into a hot tub or stepping into a sauna
85. Soaking in a bubble bath
86. Seeing the positive impact of meditating daily 
87. Snuggling up under a cozy blanket 
88. Sharing a home-cooked meal with friends 
89. Catching up with an old friend
90. Taking a hot shower 
91. Holding hands for the first time with someone you like 
92. Going on a trip with your best friend
93. Eating a popsicle on a hot summer day 
94. Getting in a good workout when you didn’t want to
95. Going to a new place for dinner
96. Planning your next vacation
97. Finding little things you thought you’d lost
98. Having enough time to stop for hot coffee before work
99. Taking an afternoon nap 
100. Sleeping in on a Sunday morning
101. Testing out a new recipe
102. A morning journaling session
103. Looking through and reflecting on old photos
104. That first sip of your favorite hot beverage
105. Taking a long, leisurely bike ride
106. Trying a new food
107. Seeing the sun rise
108. Getting up earlier than everyone else
109. A bowl of ice cream
110. Lying in the sun on an early summer day
111. That first sip of coffee
112. When you stumble upon the perfect quote
113. A text from a friend you haven't heard from in a while