I recently read a book by Clare Chambers, called Small Pleasures. It depicts the little joys in the life of someone we would think miserable, unlucky, a character resembling the Spinster. The difference was, she allowed the small pleasures of her life override the mishaps and worries. This book got me thinking about my little joyous moments, my small pleasures.
I have known my whole life, but realize it now, more so than ever, that in those effortless, unpretentious instances I feel weightless, grateful and close to myself. So here is a list of my personal Small Pleasures, with the hope they will make you find and appreciate yours too:
- going to a new town
- first cappuccino with friends after school
- relishing in a book plot twist over a piece of cheap apple pie
- looking at the vastness of the ocean
- waiting for a wave while surfing
- observing water splashes bathing in the golden hour light
- having a cup of tea in my boyfriend’s loose boxers
- eating a Reese’s bar while watching the sunset
- observing the reflection of stars in rock pools
- watching the crowns of trees catching the last bits of light and holding on to them for a few moments
- going home from the beach with sand in my shoes
- eating pizza and watching a show after a workout with friends
- having a cup of coffee while bathing in the sunlight of my apartment
- lying on the water surface and watching the stars
- letting a piece of rare-cooked steak melt on my tongue, mixed with the sour heavy taste of good wine
- stopping to observe the sunset while kayaking
- looking at the shooting stars in August
- listening to the birds in a jungle
- eating fries with friends on a Friday night
- walking barefoot
- sleeping naked
- drinking a cocktail to the sunset on a beach
- climbing a tree
- overcoming a fear
- staying in when it rains
- having sex when sad
- relishing in being sad
- crying
- cuddling
- kissing
- playing good music
- being in absolute silence
- dancing to bad music
- spraying perfume in the morning
- creating art
- taking photos
- drawing
- journalling
- writing
- reading
- buying magazines
- moisturizing
- riding a scooter across a coast line
- going to museums
- watching educational films
- watching crap
- hugging
- donating
- buying people something
- feeling the wind on a rooftop
- observing from public transport
- listening to podcasts
- going to tavernas
- following art
- snuggling up to a loved one
- developing a film roll
- coastal walking
- pubs
- rainy days in the UK
- hugging an old friend
- talking to an old friend
- going to the bookstore
- going to an interior store
- the first snow
- summer evenings
- cute dogs
- birds chirping
- surprising someone
- helping someone
- fixing something
- cooking with a loved one
- having the house freshly cleaned
- being excited for an adventure
- understanding foreign languages
- palm trees
- running down a sand dune
- wearing light clothes
- re-watching my favorite movie
- exercise
- the feeling after swimming
- face masks
- unloading the dishwasher
- giving my parents presents
- barbecuing on the beach
- listening to music in the dark
- walking on the hard sand on the beach
- finding beautiful seashells
- sightseeing
- dreaming of the future
- being thankful about the present
- loving
- forgiving
- looking at the view from a mountain
- drinking hot chocolate in front of the fireplace
- beautiful mountain huts
- playing basketball in summer nights
- riding in the passenger seat with the window down
- riding in the back of a pickup
- sightseeing front row on a double-decker
- talking to my sister about life
- watching the autumn leaves
- observing wildlife
- making chill plans for Saturday night
- falling from a bike
- early mornings in the summer
- sneaking out of bed before everyone else
- the commute home after a long week
- spooning
- walking in the rain without a hood or umbrella
- seeing something for the first time
- getting head
- orgasming
- discovering a new restaurant
- going to a souk
- deserts
- desserts
- cribs in the woods
- snowball fights
- kind words
- unexpected bad weather
- surprise gifts
- books
- cards or flowers with no occasion
- cartoons
- comic books
- cool style
- cool clothes
- fresh beddings
- freshly shaved legs..and other things
- finding coins on the street
- singing in the tram with my sister and people laughing at us
- kind-hearted people
- vinly players
- sparkly eyeshadows
- drunk i-love-yous
- sober i-love-yous
- warm eyes
- gossiping
- buying furniture
- it being earlier than I thought
- a warm night in a foreign city
- a night run
- doing pottery
- cool design details
- buying books
- moody lighting
- essential oils
- cheap bus trips
- starting a new book
- writing with a nice pen
- drawing on cool paper
- book smell
- posters
- libraries
- the smell of ocean in the air
- being on a scooter at sunset
- cooking healthy food
- decorating for Christmas
- yoga
- meditation
- the smell of tangerines
- salted caramel ice cream
- night strolls in the neighborhood
- being in a gorgeous Airbnb
- waking up to a breathtaking view
- waking up next to someone I love
- reading in bed for hours
- doing something other people don’t dare to
- seeing an exotic animal
- finally taking out the trash
- fresh laundry
- flowers
- souks and markets
- nights in
- feeling cozy
- trying out new food
- the feeling of freshly washed hair
- the smell of flowers
- the smell of rain
- being first in the office
- museum shops
- new underwear
- self-reflection
- holiday mood
- road trips
- cafes in the rainforest
- smoking a joint to the sunset
- the sound of rain while in bed
- bookshelves
- feeling pretty
- being surprised by myself
- walking
- staying in bed a bit longer
- unpretentious food
- cacti
- learning something new
- being proud of my work
- distant chatter in a cafe
- old towns
- sound of seagulls
- unobstructed ocean views
- applying after-sun gel
- eating on a porch/terrace while barefoot
- having the whole place to myself
- movie marathons
- ancient sights
- getting to know someone cool
- coming up with a cool idea
- feeling smart
- a pint with friends
- taking a boat somewhere
- buying flowers
- flea markets
- odd streets
- Sunday mornings with empty streets
- food in a park
- canals
- rivers
- lakes
- oceans
- small bohemian restaurants
- sexy lingerie
- vintage stores
- cool shots
- my favorite person smiling
- designing anything
- cool new shoes
- talking about girly stuff
- posting my work online
- getting a fresh haircut
- house parties
- cute guys
- curiosity
- reading magazines
- printing out my work
- seeing my designs on someone
- sparring ideas
- sketching
- chatting with a friendly colleague
- going on a date
- smelling yummy food
- eating alone
- eating with friends
- observing random people and making up stories about them
- Scandinavian design
- easy and quick flights
- finding cool stuff
- visiting new countries
- being high on mushrooms
- creating space for my thoughts
- the sparkly surface of the sea/ocean in the morning
- the smell of wood
- stuff being cheaper than expected
- nice-smelling hand lotions in restaurants
- the way light falls through windows
- realizing I’m over someone
- realizing I love someone
- being loved
- being hated by people I don’t like
- lighting a candle
- water in summer
- taking a shower after a long day
- good tea
- fun friends
- self-sarcasm
- free food
- bouldering
- snowy mountains seen through a wooden window
- walking barefoot on the grass
- sprinklers in summer nights
- crickets outside
- the smell of dry grass
- brunch in a banging place
- the smell of candles
- lavender soaps
- Greek villages
- cafes in side streets
- beautiful churches
- fairy lights
- nice mugs
- moss
- sun in the forest
- being hungry and knowing I’ll eat soon
- nice mattresses
- beautiful flooring
- feeling inspired
- feeling light and fresh
- inspiring someone to do something
- hotel breakfasts
- mom’s pajamas
- Christmas gifts
- waking up before the alarm
- deep sleep
- things working out better than I thought
- finding out that people care
- feeling proud of my parents
- enthusiasm
- making things with love
- inventing something
- looking after pets
- narrowing my friend circle
- cool rugs
- reading in foreign languages
- breakfast on a farm
- drinking wine with a view
- taking it slow
- feeling like a badass girl boss
- 2Pac in the morning
- educational podcasts
- going to a bakery in the morning
- walking a dog with my favorite mug full of coffee
- ignoring annoying people
- gathering the fruits of my boundary-setting
- professional, well-behaved humans
- giving
- people saying funny things
- me saying funny things
- playing frisbee
- learning a new word
- learning how to pronounce a word I’ve been saying wrong all along
- cozy blankets
- evenings out with ice cream
- drawing murals
- fresh towels
- hotel goodies
- me-time
- snuggling up in bed
- girls’ shopping
- the Northern lights
- days without planning
- chocolates on planes
- surprise visits
- figuring out a task
- the sound of a train
- sprinkling myself with water on a hot summer day
- blossom trees
- …