Simple pleasures

WhittingronDick · 2023-12-23T08:45:31+00:00

I'm single, late 30's with no kids. I work a stressful job so when I'm home I enjoy relaxing. According to my mum I should be doing more. But I'm quite happy living a simple life. I enjoy reading good books, watching shows, riding horses when time permits and... god forbid. Smoking! I don't really want to change anything. My question is, what simple pleasures do you have that make you happy?

Brird · 23/12/2023 13:53

Having coffee in bed in morning with cat curled in my armpit, tapping me now and again with her paw so I will cuddle her with both arms.

Reading psychological thrillers.

Doing a long walk whilst listening to a podcast.

Having a mini Milk icecream and some dark chocolate every day.

Sitting in the garden in summer, reading, looking at the greenery, listening to the music coming from other gardens (usually far away enough not to be annoying).

A long relaxed lunch or dinner with a friend or two.

Small caring interactions colleagues, family and friends, both giving and receiving.

Small things really count. The big things can be great - holidays, big purchases. But knowing yourself well enough that you know what small, sustainable things keep you happy is important.

SEG152 · 23/12/2023 11:34

Whatm makes you happy is what makes you happy. As long as you aren’t hurting anyone else it’s nobody’s business.

some people love to be out socialising every evening of the week, for me I couldn’t think of anything worse.

being content in your life is so under rated. Keep doing you.

ManateeFair · 23/12/2023 11:31

youneveractually · 23/12/2023 09:09

the op ask if unreasonable not to want to follow her mothers advice

but in order to know whether that is the case… surely relevant if the Op is obese, smoked, never socialises, has no friends and rarely sees the light of day! i think we would al be suggesting she does get out more!!

She didn’t ask that at all?!! You sound like a nightmare.

OP, my simple pleasures are a good book (ideally accompanied by a pot of tea), listening to murder podcasts in the bath, having a pudding for dinner because I’m an adult and I can, old episodes of Miss Marple (Joan Hickson only please), writing ghost stories, elaborate skincare rituals.

fr4zzledmum · 23/12/2023 10:22

Middle of the day baths.
Bliss.

farmfoodsqueen · 23/12/2023 10:02

Leaving my kids with my neighbour so I can have a proper uninterrupted browse round Farmfoods xx

Crishell · 23/12/2023 09:54

I love nothing more than lying in bed mumsnetting on my phone under an electric blanket until my fingers go numb with relaxing spa music on.

Original poster

WhittingronDick · 23/12/2023 09:48

Thank you ladies. Some lovely suggestions!

To answer some questions, I'm not obese and have no issues with my weight.
I have a healthy social life too, although I could make more of an effort in that regard.

OP posts:

Purplecatshopaholic · 23/12/2023 09:42

Sounds great op. We all need some simple pleasures in life. I like relaxing with my dogs around me, watching mindless crap on my iPad. I like walking my dogs. I like going through my wardrobe deciding on clothes combinations and what to wear for the week.

10HailMarys · 23/12/2023 09:41

BitOutOfPractice · 23/12/2023 09:29

@10HailMarys i was just thinking how lovely and me all your pleasures sounded. Then I got to the last one and know you are me! Your list has cheered me right up.

Aw, that’s so lovely to hear! I’m all about the small pleasures 🤣

Edinburghguy · 23/12/2023 09:41

Good coffee
Occasional wine
Hiking or morning walk
Golf
Occasional nap
Occasional takeaway
Gardening - even watering the plants
Netflix
Steak
Bacon roll with a full packet of lean bacon
Meditation

The everyday doesn’t have to be dull… small things can make a big difference.

brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 23/12/2023 09:37

Sounds great OP - keep doing what YOU enjoy

I like running, work, the mountains and the sea.

youneveractually · 23/12/2023 09:37

10HailMarys · 23/12/2023 09:21

the op ask if unreasonable not to want to follow her mothers advice

No, she didn’t ask that at all! Read her post again. She doesn’t ask if she’s being unreasonable not to want to follow her mother’s advice. She very clearly says she is very happy with her simple pleasures and doesn’t want to change anything, and then asks people for their simple pleasures.

You are the only person so far on the thread who hasn’t understood the very simple brief.

Edited

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AIBU

indecisivewoman81 · 23/12/2023 09:34

Having a deep bubble bath and reading my book in it.

Doing a bit of watercolour painting

Curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a bit of chocolate and watching a film.

BitOutOfPractice · 23/12/2023 09:29

@10HailMarys i was just thinking how lovely and me all your pleasures sounded. Then I got to the last one and know you are me! Your list has cheered me right up.

Zanatdy · 23/12/2023 09:25

It’s your life, those things sound good to me!

Fairylightfurore · 23/12/2023 09:23

Good coffee
Good sex
Spotify on the school run
Audible while cleaning
Homemade Christmas cake

10HailMarys · 23/12/2023 09:21

youneveractually · 23/12/2023 09:09

the op ask if unreasonable not to want to follow her mothers advice

but in order to know whether that is the case… surely relevant if the Op is obese, smoked, never socialises, has no friends and rarely sees the light of day! i think we would al be suggesting she does get out more!!

the op ask if unreasonable not to want to follow her mothers advice

No, she didn’t ask that at all! Read her post again. She doesn’t ask if she’s being unreasonable not to want to follow her mother’s advice. She very clearly says she is very happy with her simple pleasures and doesn’t want to change anything, and then asks people for their simple pleasures.

You are the only person so far on the thread who hasn’t understood the very simple brief.

Friendofdennis · 23/12/2023 09:18

this Is a great thread. It has made me think about some of the things that I enjoy instead of worrying about all the things I have to do

Friendofdennis · 23/12/2023 09:15

Doing tricks with my dog. Giving him treats and watching him enjoy them. Reading my cookery books and choosing a recipe I haven’t tried yet. Doing a creative writing course online.

10HailMarys · 23/12/2023 09:15

My simple pleasures are:

Making myself a proper cocktail and drinking it while watching a film, ideally wearing satin pyjamas
Listening to an audiobook while doing something soothing like a jigsaw puzzle or a craft project of some kind
A long train journey with a good book
A solo cinema trip
True crime podcasts
Sitting by the window with a cuppa and a plate of biscuits and watching the birds in my garden
Watching a horror film on my own while DP is out
Cryptic crosswords
A wander round a gallery or museum and a proper slice of cake in a cafe afterwards
Writing in a Leuchtturm notebook with a fountain pen

Iceache · 23/12/2023 09:15

Hot coffee in a quiet, dark house before anyone wakes up

Watching films with my husband

Pizza Night as a family

Walks and a pub visit with my family

A good book

Driving with music on

❤️

ChiNonFaNonFalla · 23/12/2023 09:14

Mine are:
A cup of coffee and radio on
Reading
Bath with classic FM playing, lights dimmed, candles
Exercise I only do weights
I would say walking but that turned out to be a bit stressful as an injured rabbit walked in front of me, she was in such a state and I couldn't leave her and brought her back with me to the vets. I digress...
Spending time with my pets
Watching a film snuggled up in bed
Volunteering
Visiting relatives occasionally or quick chat on phone

orangegato · 23/12/2023 09:10

Well done OP you like what you like and don’t do shit you don’t want to do. I am the same, I love a good homemade cappuccino (with about an inch of chocolate on the top), my cat’s furry head and watching crime documentaries.

youneveractually · 23/12/2023 09:09

the op ask if unreasonable not to want to follow her mothers advice

but in order to know whether that is the case… surely relevant if the Op is obese, smoked, never socialises, has no friends and rarely sees the light of day! i think we would al be suggesting she does get out more!!

youneveractually · 23/12/2023 09:07

10HailMarys · 23/12/2023 08:59

Fucking hell, are you the OP’s overbearing mother?

Read her post. She didn’t ask for advice. She asked what people’s simple pleasures are. Is your ‘simple pleasure’ giving unsolicited advice to perfectly happy and capable adults?

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i am explaining why her mum might be suggesting this!