Small things/little rituals that bring immense pleasure..

[WeirdArchitecture]

Just that really: small things that bring you pleasure, that you might incorporate into your day that relax you and cost very little.

Mine are:

1. A sliced, juicy pear dipped in a cream. Such a small luxury that makes my body and soul feel good!

2. The perfect teacup and saucer on a little wooden tray. I love the ceremony of making it in a small glass teapot (jasmine or earl grey leaves). This actually eased me out of regular boozing as the 'treat' element felt so nice.

3. Swishing paint or other materials around on some decent paper. You don't have to be an artist or pro to do this, just go into it without judgement and enjoy the freedom sensual aspects of making marks, randomly, and with pleasure.

4. Taking 15 mins or 1/2 an hour a few times per day to plunge into a book. I fell out of the habit thanks to the internet, and decided to buy myself and perfect pair of reading glasses to celebrate jumping back in. I do read a lot in general but often slip out of the habit. It really enhances my day.

What are yours? Any to share?
I think incorporating small rituals into our day really adds something healthy/special to our experience. Stuff that isn't about expensive objects or status, etc. I would love to add more, so any tips welcome!

I love to drink any kind of tea from my fine bone china mug, but hot chocolate or soup from my ordinary china mug. The heft and mouthfeel of fine bone china is just lovely.

Opening the curtains in the mornings, then closing them in the evening. I don't know why but it's a ritual I enjoy.

Monday to Thursday when wfh I drink instant coffee. Fridays to Sundays I have ground coffee in the cafetiere. Only a cheap one but I like the fact it feels like a treat/ritual.

Also I love a Sunday at home, cooking in the afternoon to wine and a boxset in the kitchen and then that motivates me to do kitchen chores /laundry so Monday feels fresh. I am quite slatternly

pegging out the washing ealry morning in the Spring. Listening to the birds, taking time to enjoy the flowersblossoms etc and feeling the anticipation of a lovely spring day ahead (obviously only works on nice days , not when tipping it down!)
A freshly made bed , a nice shower and clean pjs. I've just bought new bedding today and got home from work and changed the bed, had a lovely shower and put fresh pjs on - feels lovely and like Im ready to relax for the weekend , thinking I might make it regular Friday evening thing (not buying new bedding each week, just chaging it on a Friday evening!)

Love the curtains one, you can't get more simple than that!

I think we often get so caught up in life that we forget these little snippets of beauty, or sensations of simple pleasures. There's always this need to be on the go, to entertain or absorb stuff (holidays, cinema, keeping up with media/news, create stuff to do do dooo. It's nice to prioritise the moments inbetween..

oh, and writing in little "joy bubbles" each day in my bullet journal. I do them scattered about that day's page like speech little bubbles, but I just do two or three with things that have made me smile that day.

@Ecosralayce

pegging out the washing ealry morning in the Spring. Listening to the birds, taking time to enjoy the flowersblossoms etc and feeling the anticipation of a lovely spring day ahead (obviously only works on nice days , not when tipping it down!) A freshly made bed , a nice shower and clean pjs. I've just bought new bedding today and got home from work and changed the bed, had a lovely shower and put fresh pjs on - feels lovely and like Im ready to relax for the weekend , thinking I might make it regular Friday evening thing (not buying new bedding each week, just chaging it on a Friday evening!)

Definitely making things into weekly or daily rituals has a positive effect, probably more than we know. The little joys do add up.

I was just thinking about this this morning!

Not something I do every day, but I was just thinking about how amazing it feels to walk barefoot on grass.

When the ground is warmed by the sun, and it's ever so slightly soft and moist. It's so energising. I wish I COULD do it everyday!

A hot bath, nice bubble bath (only a 99p one but smells lovely) and a glass of something .... just what I am about to do now

Another one - again which I was lucky enough to have today ... a day off (I work Saturdays), sunny weather and no real plans or chores that needed doing ... so I could relax, sit in the garden, read and go for a gentle walk.

Making the bed so it looks really neat. Taking the long route to work just to look at a lovely view, it sets the day up nicely. Making a nice lunch to take to work with my own cutlery and napkin....my mates take the piss but I love it!

Sitting in the garden listening to my kids play with the neighbours. Just joyous

I do quite a lot of exercise and it sounds daft but I only buy gym/running kit that I like the look and feel of. It makes me want to put it on and then do the exercise

@Ecosralayce there is nothing like the triumvirate of clean bed, clean pjs, clean body. I always change my bed on a Friday to have a fresh Friday sleep!

I love a clean bed. I also love a spring day like today where I have got all my washing washed, dried and put away. All washing baskets empty. Glorious

Every morning I have two squares of dark chocolate along with a cup of coffee for breakfast. It's my favourite part of the day

Fresh coffee
Swimming
Opening a new bar of lovely soap

The holy trinity of fresh washing from the line, fresh bedding on and fresh pyjamas - and sinking in to bed after a hot shower. Holy good.
Opening the window in the morning, all year round.
Fully moisturising legs and arms and body (doesn't happen often but so nice I need to do more regularly)
Walking. Just walking with my dog and a podcast and the peace and solitude of it.
In summer, feeling the warm sun in the morning, knowing it's going to be a hot day.

The chocolate and coffee sound's like just my thing!

I love the ritual of cleansing my face at bedtime. I usually light a scented candle in our bathroom, and use a soft, fluffy headband to hold back my hair. I take my time massaging my REN cleanser into my skin, then gently remove it with a soft flannel wrung out in hot water. I always double cleanse. Then I lather on a serum, followed by a moisturiser. It's just a very soothing, peaceful way to end my day.

Painting my nails is relaxing. I started buying polishes from independent brands and now I have quite an unusual collection compared to what you see in the shops. It makes me smile throughout the day whenever I catch a glimpse of my nails.

I love noticing and touching little details on walks. I got off the bus this afternoon and there was lots of springy moss on a wall as I walked past, so I poked it. Sometimes I'll pluck a leaf or twig off a bush and fiddle with it as I'm walking. I always pull off a lavender flower and roll it to pieces in my hands, for the fragrance.

Talking to random dogs and cats I meet out and about. I always thank the cats I meet who deign to let me stroke them.

Chopping up strawberries by taking a small wedge out of the part where the stem was, so when you slice them they look like hearts. I can't slice them any other way now.

Sitting on my front doorstep for a few minutes on a clear and quiet evening and just enjoying the fresh air and solitude.

I love ambient YouTube videos when I'm pottering around the house. There is one in particular that tries to recreate the atmosphere of The Shire from Lord of the Rings, which is lovely. I also love the medieval fantasy tavern videos.

Fresh bedding on a Sunday evening. Preferably after a full bath, exfoliation, moisturising session.

DP often goes to work early on a Sunday and then gets home at lunchtime and we’ll go out for the day and eat out. I’ve started getting up when he goes to work and making something like a big tuna pasta bake for our lunches on Monday and Tuesday. It’s so nice to relax on a Sunday evening knowing I’ve not got to scramble around for something for lunch the next day.

Something that I only 'noticed' the other day - washing my hands. It's so nice!

The time of day when the sun starts lowering and casts a lovely, warm, peaceful light straight into the windows of my flat.

Waking up and having a cup of tea in bed whilst everything is still and quiet.

Finishing the last thing on my to-do list.

I love opening the blinds in the morning and closing them at night. Getting my bedroom ready for the night, lamp on, spraying pillows, turning down. My favourite part of the day when its quiet.

Fresh bed linen. Fresh laundry on the line.

A morning cup of tea outside when its warm outside.

Watching our DCats rolling around in the sunshine.