It's getting harder to ignore the fact that the world we are living in right now seems to put a badge of honor on constant busyness, and glorifies extravagance. Let's put on the brakes for a minute. If you live a lifestyle like that, do you love it? Does it bring feelings of peace or calm or tranquility? Do you sometimes feel like Nicholas Cage looks down there in that meme? If you take a look at people who feel true contentment in their life, it's because they see the simple things and allow that joy to bring light into their life. Let's take a look at some fun ways you may not have thought of to enjoy life's simple pleasures.
Savoring the Morning Cup of Joe
Raise your hand if you rush through your morning routine and barely taste your coffee. Next time you pour yourself a cup, stop for a second and take in the smell of your freshly brewed coffee. Hold the mug in your hand and feel the warmth. Close your eyes and savor the taste of your first sip. Listen to the quiet of the morning or maybe the birds outside singing as they are waking up. If we take a moment to appreciate these little things that we don't think about around a simple cup of coffee it changes the whole experience. You have turned something so simple into a source of joy.
Walking Barefoot in the Grass
When was the last time you walked barefoot in the grass? This is something that should definitely become a habit, in warm weather anyway! Do you remember as a kid you probably did it all the time. There was a reason for that. The feel of the soft grass on the bottom of your feet, the feeling of freedom and little did you know at the time, it's actually good for you. The practice is called earthing. It's been proven to have many health benefits which you can read about here. Next time you are outside take off your shoes and walk around in the grass at home. Close your eyes and feel the soft grass, feel the breeze on your skin, and take in the sounds and smells around you. Chances are, if you do walk around barefoot you aren't paying attention to that moment so give it a try!
Stargazing
If you are one to sit outside in the evening are you taking it in or are you engrossed in the digital world? Next time you head outside in the evening leave the phone behind. Take a look up at the night sky. There are so many wonders up in that vastness. Stars, constellations, the moon, maybe even a meteor shower if you're lucky. The other night I was watching the full moon in awe. It was so bright, and the wispy clouds that went across it was just beautiful. You could see the light right behind them, and the shadows in the cloud the moon created. This universe is so vast and it reminds us how small we really are but also how significant as well. You can actually lose yourself looking at the stars and finding the constellations. This is what we call being in the moment and it's fantastic.
Creating Something
The act of creating something with your own two hands is very therapeutic. It could be anything from art, jewelry, baked goods, bread, a blanket or scarf, or even a page in a journal. It doesn't have to be perfect to bring joy. It's totally satisfying to create something on your own. The pleasure of it doesn't just come from the finished product. It also comes from the journey creating it. The colors, shapes, or medium that you are using. The smells, the feel, and the act of creating. All these things together make for a ride on the joy train that you will remember every time you see it.
Nature
Nature brings simple joys in so many ways. The sound of the breeze rustling through the fallen leaves on a crisp day. The sight of a butterfly landing on a beautiful flower to gather nectar. The smell of freshly cut grass. The flowers bursting with their showiness in the summer. All you really need to do to experience these things is just sit in your back yard or take a walk to the park. It's all around us, even in places you would never think of. You just have to notice it's there.
All these things are simple, have no cost, and can bring the simplest of joy to your life when you take the time to notice them. Let's slow it down a few notches and make it a point to appreciate these simplicities because it will make a world of difference in how you live. You have a basket overflowing with simple joys just waiting for you every single day. I encourage you to find a simple joy each day and see how it changes your whole outlook.
At Simple Joy Box our goal is to help people reconnect with what matters most in life and to find joy in the everyday. Each month we curate an experience that helps you de-stress, slow down, and appreciate the simple things in life. Even the most ordinary moments can be transformed into something special with the right mindset and a few thoughtful touches. We make the ordinary extraordinary!