The simple pleasures in life can give us joy in our day-to-day moments. If you're looking to practice some gratitude or change your perspective on a tough day, a list of things you can be thankful for might help. They may be simple, but the gifts on this list are ones we are truly appreciative of.
Simple Pleasures to Enjoy With Gratitude
They aren't things we necessarily need, but they produce some of the greatest moments of happiness in life. These simple life pleasures are some of the reasons why just being alive is a joy.
- A familiar face at a social gathering
- A coworker who makes your job more fun
- Waking up to a new day
- Excited pets to greet you at the end of the day
- The sweet laughter of children playing
- A sleeping baby
- Snuggling with someone you love
- Endorphins after a great session at the gym
- A loved one or acquaintance sharing a vulnerability and letting you see more of who they are
- A friend who calls just to check-in
- A loved one who knows exactly what you need or want without having to ask
- The smell of fresh herbs
- A coffee shop nailing your order in every way
- A sale at your favorite store
- A book with the perfect ending
- Catching your favorite movie on TV
- That fresh feeling after hair-washing day
- Getting your winged eyeliner right the first time
- Meeting someone new and clicking right away
- Your favorite pair of comfortable jeans
- The kind smile of a stranger
- A long, heartfelt hug from someone you love
- The first warm sip of coffee on a quiet morning
- Plans you were dreading getting canceled at the last minute
- Being able to help someone
- Making another person smile
- Laughing until you cry
- Your favorite sports team winning unexpectedly
- Hearing your favorite song play on the radio
- The smell of books in a library or bookstore
- Spending some time alone in the quiet
- Staying up all night talking to someone you love
- Being complimented
- Finishing your to-do list
- Discovering a bill is cheaper than you expected
- Your spouse unloading the dishwasher without having to be asked
- That beautiful baby smell
- Seeing a cute dog while on a walk
- Dancing as if no one is watching
- Seeing your child experience pure happiness
- The joy of a crisp, new journal
- A weekend with no plans
Restful Things to Be Grateful for Each Day
Rest is something to appreciate all on its own, but there are countless restful and relaxing things in life that we take pleasure in. If you're in a season of busyness, these things might be even more meaningful to you.
- A relaxing bath or long, hot shower
- Taking your shoes off at the end of a long day
- A warm and cozy blanket
- A full night of uninterrupted sleep
- Sleeping in on a weekend
- A comfortable bed
- Your favorite cozy chair, recliners especially
- Your favorite comfort meal after a tough day
- An afternoon at the salon
- Pajamas that fit just right
- Taking an energizing nap
- Getting into bed with clean sheets
- Pulling the blankets up as far as you can on a cold night
- Sitting outside in the fresh air
Wonderful Things in Nature to Appreciate
Nature is a true gift in life and gives us countless other gifts to appreciate. If you have a moment to be in nature, these are some of the simple and sweet things you might get to enjoy.
- Birds chirping early in the morning
- The first warm day of spring
- The pure quiet after a heavy snow
- The clean air plants produce outside and in our homes
- Clear blue skies
- The pitter-patter of a cool summer rain
- Cool blades of grass against your bare feet
- A double rainbow after a storm
- A cool breeze on a hot day
- Bodies of water to admire and enjoy
- The smell of fresh-cut grass
- The sound of wind rustling in the trees
- The changing of leaves in the fall
- Catching sight of a shooting star
- An unforgettable sunset
- Seeing a deer, squirrel, or rabbit near your home
- Beautiful flowers to admire in the spring
- The feeling of sand between your toes
- A beautiful sunrise to greet a new day
- The look of the afternoon sun shining into your window
- The sound of crickets in summer
- The unique beauty of snowflakes
- The various colors of butterfly wings
- The peace and calm of twilight
- The beauty of animals in their natural habitat
- The sound of leaves crunching beneath your feet
- The magical twinkling of stars
- The sound of waves crashing along the shore
- The quiet splashes of fish and ducks in a lake
Daily Gifts & Necessities That Bring Joy to Life
From the people around you to the basic necessities of life, these things may not always come to mind when you're counting the things you're grateful for, but they definitely count.
- Hot water on demand
- Air conditioning and electric heat
- Clean water to drink
- Grocery stores with readily available food
- Light at any time of the day, thanks to electricity
- Appliances to make cooking and cleaning easier
- A safe home to provide shelter and warmth
- Personal care items to keep you clean and feeling fresh
- Family members who love and care for you
- The benefits of modern medicine
- The love of a true friend
Modern-Day Pleasures to Be Thankful for
Living in the technological age comes with its own long list of privileges. Though the items we're fortunate enough to have today may seem simple to us, they would have been true miracles in earlier times.
- Answers to virtually any question you have through the internet
- The ability to call friends and family for a chat
- The ability to work from home
- Facetiming with people you love
- Storing memories as photos and videos
- Vehicles for easy transportation
- Shopping for virtually anything online
- Having a full, ongoing conversation over text
- Always being connected to the people you love most
- The ability to ask Siri or Alexa to do just about anything
- Smart appliances that make life even easier
- Keeping up with friends and family through social media
Practicing Gratitude Can Have a Positive Impact on Your Life
Now that you have a long list of things to be grateful for, you can weave them into your gratitude practice. Gratitude can help you focus on all the good things in life and help you have a positive perspective. One study on the connection between gratitude and well-being even found that those who list their blessings in a gratitude journal report a more positive emotional state overall.
Additionally, another study found that practicing gratitude prior to sleeping produced better sleep. If you're wondering if adding a bit of gratitude to your day is worth the effort, this might be your sign to give it a try.
Being Grateful Is a State of Mind
Practicing gratitude has less to do with what you have and more to do with your intentionality. Gratitude doesn't come from a perfect life or having everything you may want or need. Rather, it's a state of mind that changes your perspective and helps you see the positive side of nearly any situation.
