What little things disproportionately improve your quality of life?

[BoogleMcGroogle]

I know that the big things (secure housing, relationships and finances, good physical and mental health) make all the difference. But I just turned on the car radio and it got me thinking about the small, inexpensive things that make life so much better. Here are mine:

Radio 4
The Sunday Times
Having a lovely coffee shop next to the small office I rent
Cheese from the market
Having a village library
Good footpaths nearby
An open fire
Being able to go swimming each week ( roll on Wednesday!)
Baths
Gardener's World and Call My Agent (French comedy drama)
Being on a good bus route (I'm now down to only one school run, thank God)
Brogues and colourful tights

What are yours'?

my hamster
living in london where there are shops that sell food from every culture/country you can think of
being within walking distance of highgate, muswell hill and hampstead
my dishwasher
my bath
my beauty pie subscription
my skincare products

Strong tea
The Shipping Forecast
Rain and wind outside while I’m inside
My new glass lamp
Voluntary cuddles from my teenage children
Scented candles
Reruns of Jane Austen dramas
Clean bed linen
A nap
A tidy house! (Rare)

Great thread OP 👍

Fresh flowers
Rain on the metal roof of my house

Placemarking before bed - thanks OP!

I've just got a tumble dryer and I have felt my life improve immeasurably. Terrible for energy consumption I know (though we have 100% green energy which is something) but fabulous for my sanity.

Otherwise, a hot cup of tea from a lovely mug.

*Dust free house
*Everything organised/clean and things put away in their own 'homes'
*Knowing my family are healthy/happy (obviously a big thing)
*Diet going well
*uni work up to date
*picnics by a river in the sun
*clean bedding after a shower and fresh PJs
*Having your fave snack in
*Being freshly shaved and plucked, nails / hair nice lol

A nice cup of tea

My collection of hand knitted socks

Watching the birds on the bird feeders, or any kind of wildlife in my garden

Growing my own fruit. I have no idea why, but it just makes me really happy (possibly because it takes hardly any effort but still makes me feel like a really competent gardener 🙃)

@Crazzzycat what type of fruit do you grow?

Fresh air

Home cooked food- lately I find cooking calms me

My healthy happy DC and DP

Fresh bed linen

A text from a friend (shows they're thinking of me which is nice in these times of staying apart)

A good nights sleep- so rare these days/nights!

When I go food shopping and get everything on my list

A sweet treat!

Venlafaxine
My best mate
Living just off the High Street
Stroopwafels
Bath then into fresh bed with fresh PJs

oh, yes to those pp saying almond croisants - I love them but havent had one for ages since our local morrisons stopped selling them.
Another one for me - our elctric tin opener - soooo much easier and it means ds (12 and very clumsy!) can open tins of beans independently!

Aroma diffusers with essential oil in each room.
Having a pantry in the kitchen, it's just shelves in a under stairs nook but I love having all the food in one place.
A deep fitted sheet I just bought. It means the sheet doesn't come off at the corners every night. Definitely buying another one for our bed!
Having cats. We had 2 until a few weeks ago. One died suddenly at home. I am still devastated. But they bring they much joy and comfort to our life it's totally worth the heartache when they are gone. My remaining cat brings so much to my quality of life.

sunny autumn day, nature walks with my dog

Also size vs improvement the biggest one is my antidepressant. I've been on citalopram for around 7 years. I came off it for a bit and it wasn't great. I've had on and off depression and anxiety for around 10 years. I don't really know why it's hist how I am. But overall this one little pill helps me manage it. Without it I wouldn't be able to do what I do in my life.

Radio 4
Soft socks
Good quality kitchen knives
Good food magazine subscription
Kindle

Also, FaceTime. This last year would have been miserable had I not been able to see my family on video calls.

Fleece blanket
Podcasts
Contact lenses
Smiles
Not sharing a bedroom!

Knitting and crochet, and buying lovely yarns to use for them
Good quality loose-leaf tea
The view out of my windows across the bay to the mountains
Radio 4

going to the tip
having someone pair the socks, correctly

Supermarket flowers
Flash mop

Twinings breakfast tea

Hot soup with buttered fresh bread.

Hot coffee or tea, depending on need.

Being able to bake and sew. I didn’t appreciate the basic skills I learned from my mum, grandma, and school until this last year or so. I have a newfound respect for those basics, as I build on them by learning more.

Sewing whilst listening to the Radio 2 Folk Show or Folk on Foot podcasts. Brings me instant calm and joy. Must also have a lovely cup of tea alongside.

Just realised how ancient that makes me sound but I really don't care. In fact I embrace it

This thread has really cheered me up thanks

My dh getting up every morning and feeding the cats / dealing with the litter tray. He then makes my cafetiere of coffee.

Clean house
Healthy and comforting food like soups and stews.
Going for walks
Mountains and forests make me so happy
Choosing a new book
Audio drama/books
A good film