Tell me about your tiny pleasures please.

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

I'm struggling enough with staying positive atm, and January is likely to be horrendous. I am trying to think of as many little things as I can that will bring me pleasure, to try and help me through it.

They need to be really tiny, because I don't have the mental energy to make any major changes to my life; and preferably not food-related, because while the temptation to comfort-eat is definitely there, getting overweight will just depress me more.

So far I've got:

• Books. I used to read a lot but these days I'm always on my phone instead. Going to try and stop that and read more instead.
• Soft blankets. Sounds silly but there is something very comforting about wrapping myself up in a cosy blanket, preferably with a good book.
• Fresh flowers. I figure a once a week lovely bouquet that will make me smile when I see it is a worthwhile investment.

I'd love to hear some other suggestions please.

A walk on a bright day, somewhere that you will hear birds. Doesn’t have to be in the country, in fact I heard the nicest bird song and twittering today as I was at the local recycling centre! It’s right next to a small part of the river so lots of trees and wildlife.

Birdsong and sunshine makes me feel extremely happy as does fresh crisp winter air. So combining the 3 is just lovely.

A bath with magnesium salts (Epsom salts) or bath oil followed by body moisturiser and fresh pjs.

Rediscovering something good - rewatching the first season of sex & the city (and avoiding the new one!), watching a film you loved or digging out a much loved book to reread.

I know you said no food as treats but I’ve found that making up a big batch of ‘what was in the vegetable drawer’ minestrone makes me feel good. It does take time but once it’s done it means that there’s something healthy and ready to eat sitting in the fridge so you end up having a proper lunch rather than snacking and if you’re too tired to make dinner a fresh loaf and some cheese or cooked meat make it a meal.

I've just discovered audio books which are a great way of getting back into books.

Tiny lilac Korean enamel milk pan that holds just enough water for one cuppa. I use it instead of a kettle.

Freshly washed sheets.
A crunchy walk in the frost - frosty mud is the best.

Earl grey tea with a slice of lemon

lovely fatface socks
they make me happy 🙂
i have sunflower ones, blue tit ones and dog ones! These are today’s

Pouring a cup of tea from my favourite teapot into a little cup and saucer if I have a bit more time to spend.😂sounds a bit daft but it's like it's more special than if I use a mug.

Feeding the birds several times a day and then watching them through the window from the warmth. Our little robin friend in particular is a joy. Not sure if this would suit you with your beautiful cat though!

Wine, hot baths, electric underblanket, a good vibrator, Lush bath bombs.

@Fleetheart

lovely fatface socks they make me happy 🙂 i have sunflower ones, blue tit ones and dog ones! These are today’s

I get a lot of joy from happy socks

@TheHOHOHOnlyMrsM

Feeding the birds several times a day and then watching them through the window from the warmth. Our little robin friend in particular is a joy. Not sure if this would suit you with your beautiful cat though!

My cats enjoy watching the birds too.

For slightly different reasons possibly.

One of them gets so excited she makes a weird "ack-ack-ack" noise.

Ironed teatowels!

There is absolutely no chance I'd ever get pleasure from ironed tea towels (ironed anything, in fact), but I'm glad it works for you, @LucaLoo!

Mine now are -
Hot Bath.
Hot water bottle on cold bedroom with plenty of bed clothes.
I went for a walk earlier and heard some birdsong. Honestly that was wonderful. Central London so not frequent.
Small achievements like sorting just one drawer or doing one thing on your to do list (if you have one).
Being understanding wherever possible. Last night I had an awful food delivery cock up. Woman phoned me to say they were going to be even later (I’d already had two calls) and half stuff missing as major problems. In a split second I swerved away from any complaint at all and instead said it didn’t matter (it kind of did) and I was sure she’d had a difficult night. We both left that call feeling better than was likely.
Sorry you are struggling op.

@LucaLoo

Ironed teatowels!

I feel you @LucaLoo.

But for me it's only if someone else ironed them.

Candles
Putting on perfume even though I’m not going anywhere or seeing anyone
Muting my phone notifications and watching comfort tv

@HeronLanyon

Mine now are - Hot Bath. Hot water bottle on cold bedroom with plenty of bed clothes. I went for a walk earlier and heard some birdsong. Honestly that was wonderful. Central London so not frequent. Small achievements like sorting just one drawer or doing one thing on your to do list (if you have one). Being understanding wherever possible. Last night I had an awful food delivery cock up. Woman phoned me to say they were going to be even later (I’d already had two calls) and half stuff missing as major problems. In a split second I swerved away from any complaint at all and instead said it didn’t matter (it kind of did) and I was sure she’d had a difficult night. We both left that call feeling better than was likely. Sorry you are struggling op.

God bless you @HeronLanyon

That is an amazing gift to give someone who is clearly "Having A Day".

Growing something from seed is a small imposition on your life but rather nice to see daily. Maybe start with a bulb of something.
Regular zoom chat & cuppa with a mate.
Really good coffee.
Walk in the country somewhere new each time.
New towels.
Craft projects.. Small ones.

Go onto you tube and play your favourite songs from when you were 5, 10, 15, 20 etc. Instant joy and a total release from current mindset.

Meditate or listen to affirmations while watching a candle burn. Very soothing. 5 mins is enough.

5 mins yoga stretches with Adriene on You Tube

Buy seed or cut up stale bread. Throw outside. Make coffee. Watch birds while sipping coffee.

Google Bucket Lists and make your own. Remember to include really ordinary every day and free stuff that you just never got around to doing (e.g. visiting local attraction in your own town, trying an easy hobby that you always thought looked good but just never did.)

Have a week of doing something new every day - try new recipe, new radio station, wear clothes in a different ensemble from usual, take a new route to work etc.

Pinterest a makeover for a room in your house. When you have time + money+ energy you will know what to do to transform it.

Cuddle your pets. If you have none, go for a walk and stop to pet willing cats you pass.

Watch comedy clips on you tube. SNL is good, or extracts from stand up shows by your favourite comedians.

Buy Poundland Epsom slats and have a long soak in a bath with a trashy novel or favourite magazine.

a face pack, reading a good book, watching netflix,

iwanna it made me feel better too ! So there was also self preservation involved. Didn’t want to feel angry ! So decided not to. Amazingly simple sometimes. Sometimes not.

Super Hanjie puzzles
A lovely, bracing walk with the dog before dawn, then coming back to bed with coffee and a book / box set (tomorrow's plan 😍)
The tactile satisfaction of bead weaving to make jewellery.
A hot, hot shower
A walk on the sea front at high tide
Classic Corrie
Death In Paradise
Reading the Christmas Radio Times
Walking the neighbourhood after dark in December, admiring all the lights

@HeronLanyon

iwanna it made me feel better too ! So there was also self preservation involved. Didn’t want to feel angry ! So decided not to. Amazingly simple sometimes. Sometimes not.

Win-Wins are the best wins.

This is a more long term one. We have a jar and every day/few days (although I try to do it daily so it becomes a habit!) we write down something that made us smile or that we’re thankful for. It goes in the jar and everyone can add as little or as much as they want.

The intention is to open it on New Year’s Day to remember all the small joys of the last year. Unexpected little bits of happiness, funny moments that had been forgotten, appreciation of people who were kind.

It’s lovely to spend time reliving all the happiness that can be found even in dark times.