Earlier in the week when we talked about the habits of happy people, many of you mentioned the small pleasures you enjoy that are worth more than anything money can buy, like walking on the beach and flying paper airplanes with your children. Since one of the key tenets of happiness is being able to savor small pleasures, here’s a list of 101 delights that are worth enjoying today (not all in one day, though!). Let’s try to come up with 101 more in the comments!
- coloring (yes, grown-ups can do it, too)
- crisp cotton sheets
- soft skin
- old family recipes
- the first daffodils of spring
- sleeping in
- an exercise endorphin high
- window boxes
- a perfect cup of coffee
- a genuine compliment (giving or receiving)
- the way babies smell
- a handwritten letter
- waking up in a good mood…for no real reason
- singing in the shower
- finding a couple forgotten dollars in your pocket
- doing something nice for your neighbor
- a home cooked meal
- laughing
- movie theater popcorn
- playing hookey
- a bubble bath
- swimming
- an afternoon nap
- street musicians
- your favorite song
- saying thank you
- helping someone in need
- old fashioned photo booths
- fresh whipped cream
- inspiring blogs
- a glass of wine
- rainy afternoons
- the funny things kids say
- a novel you can get lost in
- finding the perfect piece of clothing…on sale
- clean laundry
- the wind in your hair
- treating the person behind you at the drive-thru
- sharing an umbrella
- the smell of lavender
- a long walk that clears your head
- a bear hug
- The Beatles
- smiling at a stranger
- eating with chopsticks (Chinese food optional)
- butterflies
- staying in your pj’s all day
- singing along to the radio and knowing all the words
- fresh herbs
- ordering in pizza
- happy endings…even if they’re fictional
- flying a kite
- puppies
- root beer floats
- holding open the door…
- …or having someone hold the door for you
- fountain soda
- white, fluffy towels
- sunshine
- spending an afternoon at a museum
- really great advice
- green lights all the way home
- the sound of rain hitting the windows
- sitting in a booth
- holding hands
- a great hair day with no effort
- building a fort with your kids
- when someone falls asleep with their head on your shoulder
- fireflies
- the perfect taco
- geraniums on a windowsill
- slow dancing
- the smell of fresh-baked bread
- cheesy, uplifting musicals
- great stories
- the smell of gasoline
- the cold side of the pillow
- love letters
- old friends…
- …new friends
- a pull-through parking space
- a baguette — crisp on the outside, airy on the inside
- when a dog licks your hand
- sitting at the counter at an old-fashioned diner
- using your favorite dishes
- reading your child a bedtime story
- Girl Scout Cookies
- flossing
- kissing someone you love
- the smell of onions and garlic cooking
- hot chocolate
- jumping in puddles
- old photographs
- birds hopping on the sidewalk
- Ella Fitzgerald
- a spoonful of peanut butter straight from the jar
- your softest t-shirt
- a new magazine in the mail
- fireplaces
- having exact change
- bacon and pancakes cooking on Saturday morning
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