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Original poster

Small things that cheer you up

45 replies

bighair32 · 18/05/2023 21:04

Just starting a thread to ask for small things that cheer you up. Having a bit of a wobbly time at the moment and looking for inspiration :)

OP posts:
tilestoclean · 18/05/2023 21:07

A walk in the fresh air
Making a plan for a friend for a walk or coffee or lunch
Cleaning the house
Watching a trashy show

bellalou1234 · 18/05/2023 21:07

Badedas.. think that's how it's spelt, bath gellee
And jacket potatoes with coleslaw

Tittyfilarious81 · 18/05/2023 21:09

I've just planted some lovely flowers and I'm absolutely loving all the bees that are now in my garden

tinselvestsparklepants · 18/05/2023 21:09

Watching dogs with sticks.

NuffSaidSam · 18/05/2023 21:09

Cup of tea, but a proper one where you have it in a nice mug and take the time to sit down with it, quietly. Maybe a biscuit or chocolate to go along with it.

I like a new notebook even if I don't write in it, I like to think about what I could write it in.

I love going to the theatre (maybe not small enough, but always cheers me up). If that's not possible, soundtrack to my favourite musical can do it or Disney songs.

A TV show or film that's an old favourite.

Motnight · 18/05/2023 21:12

Getting into a bed with fresh linen, with the window open and a breeze coming in.

Hadenough2022 · 18/05/2023 21:12

Getting out in the fresh air.
reading a good book with a cup of tea and biscuits.
Yoga.
Exercise in general

CrapBucket · 18/05/2023 21:13

Summer

Cuddling my friends baby

Giving back my friends baby

Hope things improve for you very soon OP.

To be honest it is much easier to enjoy small things now that the massive thing of living with a horrible man doesn’t apply to me.

NeverMindHever · 18/05/2023 21:14

Hugs from my kids

Pinksmyfavoritecolour · 18/05/2023 21:15

Sitting in my garden with a coffee watching the sparrows and starlings feast on my bird feeders, and watching my dogs watch them too, one of the dogs watches the planes go over too he looks so chilled just laying watching them.

Porthia · 18/05/2023 21:18

Going for a walk

reading a book in bed (at night before sleep but also first thing in the morning - just get up to grab a cup of tea then back to bed with a book for half an hour)

bath before bed in clean sheets

Exploring a new (or new-ish) town - just poking around looking at the shops, getting a feel for the place

Comfort tv show like Gilmore Girls or some rubbish romantic comedy where nothing bad ever happens along with a bar of good quality chocolate and a cup of tea

squarezero · 18/05/2023 21:20

Just an idea - when I was going through a difficult time I started a little notebook and each day wrote down a list of 3 of the best bits of my day. I made a promise that I had to come up with 3 things no matter how rubbish my day was - some days it would be really simple things like the sandwich I had for lunch, or the nice weather when I went for a walk round the block and other days it was genuine nice things.

Either way it got my brain into a better habit of looking for the small wins, and it was a nice set of lists to look back on several months later.

labamba007 · 18/05/2023 21:28

A walk.

Followed by coffee at a coffee shop and a read of a book.

Followed by another walk!

And listening to the most cheesy pop music too.

Also watching tv programmes that give me nostalgia!

Sorry you're having a tough time OP hope things get better.

ilovethecold · 18/05/2023 21:31

I had a wobble this week and my boys where with their dad. I was messaging my best friend and she sensed I wasn't ok she picked up from my house and I then I went over to hers and we had a sleepover , we got all our favourite snacks watched 2 films back to back with some wine. Just what I needed

ThreeRingCircus · 18/05/2023 21:31

Going for a walk listening to a true crime podcast.

Sitting in a café and reading the newspaper with a coffee, or just getting a seat near the window and people watching.

Having a bubble bath just by candlelight.

Curling up in bed with a good book.

Feeding the birds in my garden.

Sitting on a chair in my garden at the slightest hint of warm sun and drinking a cold beer.

shadypines · 18/05/2023 21:34

@squarezero that's a lovely idea.
@NuffSaidSam your list is so very like mine. You can't beat a peaceful cuppa and biscuit and I could buy new notebooks til the cows come home!

poshme · 18/05/2023 21:35

Watching my dog charge at full pelt into the sea. Doesn't matter how cold, or seaweedy it is- she has such utter joy in her whole body as she goes for the ball... (and then less happiness for me as she runs towards me to shake off all the seawater.)

And what @squarezero said. Even when things are really tough, forcing yourself to think of good things is helpful.
It might be as simple as 1) I washed my hair yesterday, don't I have nice clean hair 2) I can hear birds 3) next week I'm seeing my friend

Focus on positive. Doesn't matter how small.

RumNotRun · 18/05/2023 21:37

CrapBucket · 18/05/2023 21:13

Summer

Cuddling my friends baby

Giving back my friends baby

Hope things improve for you very soon OP.

To be honest it is much easier to enjoy small things now that the massive thing of living with a horrible man doesn’t apply to me.

The baby bit made me laugh. That's been added to my "things that made me smile today" list

LadyHester · 18/05/2023 21:41

Taking care of myself and reminding myself that I deserve love. This might be
making a proper breakfast and eating it at the table off a plate with cutlery
painting my nails
sewing a button on a shirt
wearing nice earrings
drinking a cup of tea in the garden
having a bath
walking barefoot on grass
and of course anything to do with my dog.

Original poster
bighair32 · 18/05/2023 21:42

Thanks everyone! We lost our gorgeous dog and I have got out of the habit of walking but this has made me think about getting back outside everyday again.

@squarezero such a brilliant idea to capture three things a day. I will start this.

Thanks so much everyone for your good wishes. It is great to hear from you. I really appreciate everyone commenting.

OP posts:
AnnaTortoiseshell · 18/05/2023 21:45

Fresh sheets on the bed, especially if they’ve been dried outside.

A hot cup of tea, in the quiet, by myself.

A hot bath by myself.

A less antisocial one - singing at the top of my lungs with my DDs.

Holding one of my girls while they sleep.

AdaColeman · 18/05/2023 21:48

A cup of tea with a biscuit or a buttered crumpet in the afternoon.

Spotting a book I'll like for 99 pence in the Kindle daily deals.

A spectacular sunset.

Getting a new notebook.

Having a drink in the right glass, with a few nuts or olives, while dinner is cooking.

BCBird · 18/05/2023 21:48

Good thread OP. I got some ideas here. Like the idea of the notebook. I second the fresh linen after a bath.

dudsville · 18/05/2023 21:49

I had to go to bed early tonight as i was floored, but i woke up a little while ago with a hot flush... and then I got hungry. Whilst trying to push past the hunger and go back to sleep I remembered I bought a nut and seed mix and nice greek yogurt, so I just popped down for a bowl. Its a simple, healthy, tasty, satisfying thing.

Furrybutts · 18/05/2023 21:53

Watching my washing blowing on the line.

Coming home from work, walking my dogs then being in my lovely home, alone and in peace now all my children have flown.

Taking a load of stuff to the charity shop, or the tip.