You know that feeling. You can’t put your finger on it exactly, but when it happens, you feel, well, happy.

The feeling happens suddenly, sometimes subtly, randomly at all times of the day.

You feel it when you take that first sip of coffee in the morning. You experience it when a child laughs uncontrollably, and a grin spreads across your face. It happens when you find yourself reading a really good book that you just can’t put down.

These moments make life sweeter and lift our spirits. They are simple pleasures – little pockets of joy that pop up in our everyday lives.

We can get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we miss these small wonders. But when we slow down and start paying attention, we find they’re everywhere. The world comes alive with them!

Why You Should Seek Out and Enjoy the Simple Things in Life

Life’s busy. We’re all rushing around, trying to keep up with work, family, and countless other responsibilities. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s where simple pleasures come in, like little lifeboats in a sea of stress.

There can be a day when everything seems to be going wrong. Then, you step outside and witness an incredible sunset. For a moment, you’re filled with a sense of awe, and your worries melt away. That’s the power of a simple pleasure.

These “joy snacks,” as some psychologists call them, are more important than you think. Noticing and savoring everyday small pleasures can significantly boost your well-being and life satisfaction. Yes, it’s the little things that make life meaningful! By appreciating these simple joys, you can build a more fulfilling life, one moment at a time.

This is exactly what a little dose of happy is about. We’re about celebrating the joy found in life’s little moments. We love to explore the everyday pleasures that often go unnoticed. Our community is a space where we share, appreciate, and cultivate these small but meaningful experiences. We believe in actively seeking out and savoring simple pleasures, and we encourage everyone to create their own happiness through little doses of happy.

Create Your Own List of Simple Pleasures

One of the most effective ways to cultivate happiness is to create your own list of simple pleasures. This easy practice can change how you see the world and help you develop a positive outlook.

Recent research supports this idea, showing that documenting everyday experiences, even seemingly mundane ones, can bring unexpected joy in the future. By creating a list of simple pleasures, you’re cultivating gratitude in the present and giving your future self the gift of rediscovery.

So, include anything and everything in your list: the sound of your partner’s laughter, turning spotty bananas into banana bread, and going home at the end of a busy workday. No matter how small or seemingly insignificant a moment is, include it if it makes you happy!

Here’s a helpful tip: Keep an ongoing list on your phone, adding moments that bring you joy as they happen. Review it whenever you need a quick mood boost.

Our List of Simple Pleasures

We eagerly took our own advice and created a list of 150 simple pleasures in life! Feel free to print it out and check off the ones that resonate with you. You might discover some that you’ve been overlooking!

Reviewing the list, consider how you can fit some into your daily life. Can you take a different route home to enjoy a scenic view? Set aside time for a hobby you love? Or just pause to savor every bite of your favorite meal?

We hope our list makes you smile and inspires you to live more joyfully and mindfully. Let it remind you that happiness often isn’t in big events or grand gestures, but in the small, beautiful moments we too often overlook.

150 Little Doses of Happy

Taking that first sip of hot coffee on a quiet morning.
Feeling a cool breeze on a hot summer day.
Stepping into a hot shower after a long, cold day.
The first gulp of cold water after a long, hot day.
Waking up and realizing it’s Saturday!
Hitting all green lights on your morning commute.
Finding a parking spot right in front of your destination.
The feeling of taking off your shoes after a long day of standing on your feet.
Putting on clothes that fit perfectly.
The taste of melted butter on toast.
Peeing after holding it in for a long time.
The smell of fresh popcorn at a movie theater.
The smell of freshly baked cookies (especially at Grandma’s house!).
Savoring a piece of dark chocolate as it slowly melts in your mouth.
Hearing the ice cream truck jingle on a summer afternoon.
Finding money you forgot about in a coat pocket.
Laughing unexpectedly at a joke that hits just right.
The warm welcome of a dog, happily wagging its tail.
The gentle weight of a purring cat on your lap.
Feeling the tension leave your body as you sink into a hot bath.
Slipping into a freshly made bed with crisp sheets.
Leaving work and feeling the warmth of sunlight on your skin.
Binge-watching a TV show because it’s just that good.
Opening to the first page of a new book.
Hearing an old song on the radio that brings back fond memories.
Receiving an unexpected, heartfelt compliment.
Catching up with an old friend.
Having a close friend to confide in.
Sitting at the dinner table for a home-cooked meal.
Licking an ice cream cone on a hot summer day (before it melts onto your hand!).
Hearing people wish you a “Happy Birthday” on your birthday!
Sharing a warm smile with a stranger.
The scent of fresh-cut grass wafting through an open window.
Finding the cool side of your pillow.
The satisfying ‘pop’ when opening a new jar.
Hearing your favorite song playing in a store.
The smell of freshly cut flowers.
The crisp snap of biting into a fresh apple.
Watching clouds drift slowly across a bright blue sky.
Successfully parallel parking on the first try.
Peeling off a price sticker in one piece (with no residue!).
Opening a stubborn jar lid.
Successfully tossing a crumpled-up piece of paper into a trash can.
The warmth of a washcloth when you’re washing your face.
Slipping on a pair of warm socks, fresh out of the dryer.
Biting into a sweet, juicy piece of watermelon.
Nostalgically eating a piece of your favorite childhood candy.
The feeling of sand running through your fingers.
Untangling a stubborn knot.
Feeling ready to take on the day after a good workout.
Catching a whiff of your favorite childhood meal being cooked.
The cooling sensation of aloe vera on sunburned skin.
The feeling of accomplishment after cleaning out a cluttered drawer.
Watching a skilled street performer in action.
The ‘whoosh’ of a basketball swishing through the net (especially when it’s your own Hail Mary shot!).
Watching a barista create latte art.
Skipping stones across the water.
Watching a kite soar high in the sky on a windy day.
Watching the mesmerizing dance of flames in a bonfire.
The final ‘click’ of fitting the last piece into a jigsaw puzzle.
Suddenly, knowing where to find a lost item.
The moment when you finally remember what you wanted to say.
Waking up naturally, feeling fully rested, just before your alarm goes off in the morning.
Making others laugh wholeheartedly.
Watching a sleeping pet twitch and move during a dream.
Hearing the first songbird of Spring.
The sound of children laughing on a playground.
Standing on a beach, listening to the waves crash onto the shore.
The sound of a crackling fireplace on a cold night.
Wrapping your hands around a hot cup of cocoa on a snowy winter day.
The first snowfall of the season.
Spotting a rainbow after a rainstorm (bonus when it’s a double rainbow!).
Watching the sunset paint the sky in vibrant colors.
The tingle in your toes as you dip them into a cool stream.
The feeling of a tight knot being loosened during a massage.
The exhilarating feeling of riding on a roller coaster (and wanting to do it again!).
The buzz of excitement before the curtain rises at a theater.
Hearing the ‘clink’ of toasting glasses with friends.
Finding the perfect stick to use as a walking staff on a hike.
Discovering a breathtaking view during a nature hike.
The satisfying ‘click’ of snapping a suitcase shut before a trip.
The eager anticipation before a vacation.
Getting lost in a really good book, oblivious to the world around you.
Rediscovering an old movie and appreciating it in a whole new way.
Finding an old photo that brings back happy memories.
Discovering something new (for you!).
The moment you finally understand a difficult concept you’ve been struggling with.
Seeing your favorite artist perform live for the first time.
Finding the perfect gift for someone you care about.
Doing something for someone and making their day.
Teaching someone how to do something and seeing their excitement at learning something new.
The warmth of holding hands with someone you love.
Waking up from a happy dream and remembering what happened.
Reuniting with family after a long time apart.
The moment of silence just after a symphony ends and before the applause begins.
Putting on a new pair of glasses and seeing the world with crystal clarity.
Looking out a plane window and enjoying the aerial view.
When a loved one covers you up with a blanket as you’re falling asleep.
Seeing the joy on a kid’s face when they eat ice cream.
Cradling a sleeping baby in your arms.
Witnessing a random act of kindness between strangers.
Blowing bubbles and seeing them float away.
Building a pillow fort and spending the afternoon inside it.
Finding shapes in the clouds on a lazy summer afternoon.
Shaking a wrapped gift and trying to guess what’s inside.
Finishing a home improvement project.
The moment when the sun peeks out from behind a cloud after a storm.
Tasting the perfect bite of food that has all the right flavors.
The gentle sway of a hammock as you lay back and relax.
The feeling of your hair being gently tousled by the wind.
Walking barefoot on a sandy beach, feeling the texture beneath your feet.
The first bite of a perfectly ripe peach.
Waking up naturally from an afternoon nap, feeling refreshed.
Spontaneously dancing when your favorite song comes on.
Toasting marshmallows for s’mores in a campfire.
Receiving a handwritten letter in the mail.
Going home after a long time being away.
Blowing on a dandelion and watching the seeds float away.
Swinging high on a playground swing, feeling like you can touch the sky.
Spinning around and around until you’re delightfully dizzy.
Catching something mid-fall before it hits the ground.
The relief of finally sneezing after feeling it coming for a while.
Checking off the last box on your to-do list.
Unexpected free time!
Scoring a great deal!
Popping bubble wrap.
Hearing wind chimes on a breezy day.
The sound of leaves rustling in a gentle breeze.
The feeling of clean sheets on freshly shaved legs.
Winning a prize (even if it’s just $1 on a scratch-off ticket).
Blowing a big bubble with bubble gum.
Peeling an orange in one long, unbroken strip.
Hitting the bullseye on a dartboard.
Finishing a crossword puzzle without any help.
Finding the perfect ripe avocado when you cut it open.
Watching a juggler keep multiple objects in the air effortlessly.
Watching a glassblower create a beautiful piece.
Completing a Rubik’s cube.
Successfully balancing a coin on its edge.
Seeing a Jenga tower wobble but not fall!
Bumping into a good friend at the grocery store.
Reminiscing with family about the past.
Your mom’s warm smile, genuinely happy to see you.
Feeling a baby grab your finger with their tiny hand.
Watching a hummingbird hover effortlessly at a feeder.
Watching bumble bees pollinate flowers.
Eating tomatoes right off the vine.
Watching a time-lapse video of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly.
Dancing and laughing in the rain.
Laying on the ground watching the stars glisten on a clear night.

Final Thoughts

Happiness is in all these simple pleasures we listed and more! Think about it this way: little gifts are sprinkled throughout your day, just waiting to be unwrapped. Your goal every day is to see how many of these happy moments you can spot and enjoy!

Life’s too short not to enjoy the small stuff. So, take time to savor and smile at the little things!