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Little things that make you happy.

318 replies

GiddyRobin · 01/01/2025 15:02

Thought I'd start a nice, light hearted thread about things that make you happy! I notice a lot of light hearted threads end up a bit down in the dumps, so for those who just want to share, need a bit of cheer, or are generally nosy parkers (like me! 😂), I thought this could be a bit of fun.

I'll start (and try and make it brief!)

  • Family. Yes, yes, twee, sickly, blah blah blah, but it's true.
  • Christmas. Festivities and seasons changing in general.
  • Books! Give me a good book, a nice box of tea, and I'm happy.
  • Cheese. Any cheese. My DS had a milk allergy as a youngster and I had to cut it out too as I was breastfeeding. God I missed cheese. I celebrated so hard with a cheeseboard when he passed the milk ladder that I made myself poorly. 😂
  • Flowers in my window. I love watching how the light changes the shades of the petals during the day.
  • A good black comedy. Anything Shearsmith and Pemberton does me.
  • Oversized men's sweatshirts. Fuck women's jumpers, men's are the way to go and I will die on this hill.

Off to make some sarnies to take to MiL's - v. interested to hear other people's little joys!

OP posts:
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MrsPositivity1 · 01/01/2025 21:50

Seeing my children and step children partying together. My heart could burst with pride

latetonews · 01/01/2025 21:55

Walking in the woods with my dog, particularly in the Winter.

PollyOrange · 01/01/2025 22:13

My dog on the beach, chasing his best ball and smiling as he does it

StripyRedSocks · 01/01/2025 22:21
  • listening to the dog snoring in the middle of the night
  • watching the dog scampering on the beach
  • the dog’s delight at finding a stick
  • the dog’s delight at cramming a stick AND a ball in his mouth
  • stretching out after a Pilates class
  • Taking a coffee back to bed on a Sunday
  • Home made granola & yoghurt
familyissues12345 · 01/01/2025 23:20

The bond between DS1 (21) and 16 yr old DS2. DS2 has ASD and struggles socially. He finds it tough when DS1 is away at Uni, so it makes my heart melt a bit seeing him so happy when his big brother is back. Even if they do drive me nuts with their play fighting EnvyGrin

Other than that, fluffy socks make me very happy!

BeachHutsAndDeckchairs · 02/01/2025 02:04

Someone mentioned a quill up-thread - I have one made with a peacock feather (it's not a proper quill, rather, one of those pretend ones with a nib attachment) and use it with some sparkly silver and gold dipping ink and it's such a joy to write with. Dc1 said I ought to take it with my leather-bound cotton paper notebook to Tesco and use it for a shopping list.

IJWMM · 02/01/2025 04:30

Lovely thread idea. Some of mine are:

Stopping to gaze up at the night sky. Not much light pollution here and I’ll never get bored of taking time to stop and look up.

The fact that, so far south, last year I saw the northern lights here. And stayed up one night to catch the meteor shower in August.

Hearing and/or seeing the pair of buzzards that appeared in the locality last year - I was slightly obsessed. Also, from a thread I saw on here a couple of years ago, last summer I downloaded the Merlin Bird ID app. Have had lots of fun getting to know the chitchat from all the birds in my garden and surrounding fields.

The scent of the roses in my front garden when they first bloom each year.

Thick white toast with salted butter - would probably be my last meal request.

Driving with the roof down mid-evening after a hot summer’s day - something about it makes me feel like I’m on holiday somewhere.

Driving along the seafront. Doesn’t matter what the weather is like, I love seeing the sea in all its variations.

It was the love, affection and understanding of my own cats - sadly, my last was PTS just before Christmas. My mum passed away last year, shortly after an unexpected cancer diagnosis. I promised her that her cat would have a home with me and wouldn’t go into a rescue. So, although it’s been hard, there has been pleasure in seeing her (very dramatic) rollovers to have her stomach tickled, or her mad zombies around the house (she’s never seen stairs before). She is in no way as loving or cuddly as she was with my mum, but she’s settled into her place here in a different way and seems happy on her own terms. And that is probably what makes me most happy.

Can’t forget the first lawn cut of the year. That first stretch down the length of the lawn - seeing the contrast either side of the neat with the overgrown.

Crafting - a way to focus but also switch off my mind. Wish I’d started years ago.

Crackers4cheese · 02/01/2025 07:26

when the washing up and putting away has been done in the kitchen

notlisteningwithmother · 02/01/2025 07:57

Lovely thread. Thank you OP.

@BigDahliaFan - another vote for going back to bed with a cup of tea. I've just done that after DH left for work early this morning and DCs are still asleep!
First night in newly washed and ironed bed sheets and PJs
A clean and tidy house and / or newly decorated or refurbished spaces (I was on the Christmas Cleanalong thread and took an inordinate satisfaction from completing my to-do list)
Autumn leaves, long evenings, candles and Christmas sparkle
DCs collapsing in giggles over nothing!
The sound of the sea
Wildlife in the garden

NewYearNewName2025 · 02/01/2025 08:32

I got up (far too) early to open the side gate for the window cleaner just as dawn was arriving - the sky was beautifully clear, so many stars and it was sooo quiet! Then back to bed with a cuppa and a cat to warm my cold feet 🐾

Seeing the birds line up in the trees waiting for me to throw my toast crumbs and crust out - with little bit of cheese for the robin if he's there

Being by the sea - the sound and smell of it in all weathers. In some ways it's better in autumn and winter than high summer when the beach gets busy

Freshly ironed bed linen and nightshirt

ripple73 · 02/01/2025 11:34

-My husband's feet! He has beautiful soft feet, toes all perfect.
-Kids messing about together
-Getting into hysterical laughter with my sister

  • a cold frosty day with blue skies
  • newspaper on the doormat
GiddyRobin · 02/01/2025 13:07

@sandrapinchedmysandwich Oh now that would be perfect! Little library coffee mornings with happy, snuffling piggies. A whole reading room dedicated to them. 😍 They're so relaxing, I can see why care homes love them so much! My dad was never a fan, but when he was poorly late on he lived with us for a bit and became obsessed hahaa!

@Abracadabra12345 I just love Jarvis! Hes growing old so gracefully too. I could listen to him speak all day! We are definitely clones. 😂 If you tell me you like a bit of historical/fantasy fiction then I'll be certain we're separated twins!!

@BeachHutsAndDeckchairs It was me with the quill! Yours sounds gorgeous, I'd love to get one with a nib! Mine is a carved tip so it's soooo difficult to use. I need to work on it haha! You definitely need to use it in your journal! That sounds beautiful - love bound notebooks, they feel so much more fancy to write in! I'm admittedly a notebook nerd. 😄

We just got back to the UK <sob> and I'm missing Norway already. Bring on Easter! MIL was in floods saying goodbye, so I'm going to take heart from this thread and write her a gorgeous letter with nice ink and drawings! On the plus side, I missed my cats so much, and my piggies and horse. The rabbit...maybe. he's already bitten me. The dogs are happy to be home and causing trouble. 😂

So many beautiful things from everyone here! I'm going to make a cuppa and tuck in to read. A few more to add to my list:

  • The top of my cat's head when he comes and butts my chin.
  • The sound of dog claws dancing on tiles, all happy and excited.
  • The smell of horse stables when it's frosty outside.
  • A cup of Lady Grey in my favourite mug.
  • That moment of calm when you first open your front door and everything is unchanged and peaceful.
OP posts:
Lansonmaid · 02/01/2025 13:50

A lovely frosty walk followed by a hot chocolate when you get home

Listening to larks in the sky in spring and summer

Watching the spring flowers come out in succession- snowdrops , crocuses, primroses, daffs, bluebells...

Curling up with a good book

Being together as a family with adult DCs

GiddyRobin · 02/01/2025 13:57

Lansonmaid · 02/01/2025 13:50

A lovely frosty walk followed by a hot chocolate when you get home

Listening to larks in the sky in spring and summer

Watching the spring flowers come out in succession- snowdrops , crocuses, primroses, daffs, bluebells...

Curling up with a good book

Being together as a family with adult DCs

The spring flowers are something so special. There's nothing more exciting than seeing the first of each and realising that the season is turning again. I also love nightblooming flowers; we have jasmine here that we didn't realise bloomed at night, and I love that. We also grow moonflowers; they don't bloom well every year because of temperature, but when they do it's absolutely lush.

OP posts:
Happyhettie · 02/01/2025 15:12

This is a really lovely thread and full of nice feel good things which have made me carry on thinking…

Clear blue skies on frosty winter days.
The way the light changes in autumn so everything is a warm golden colour.
Roses (the flowers not the chocolates)

GiddyRobin · 02/01/2025 15:18

Happyhettie · 02/01/2025 15:12

This is a really lovely thread and full of nice feel good things which have made me carry on thinking…

Clear blue skies on frosty winter days.
The way the light changes in autumn so everything is a warm golden colour.
Roses (the flowers not the chocolates)

It has literally made me so happy. Usually coming back from Norway and I'm a bit melancholy, but this has really lifted my spirits.

Agree with the autumn light! That haze of gold and the dust motes. We've had that today actually, bright winter sun (briefly), and the dust motes were spinning around in rays of light. All the colours on the Christmas tree looked so bright, and it was just lovely.

OP posts:
RubiesandRose · 02/01/2025 18:49

Lovely thread! Here's my list of favourite things that make me happy!

My heated blanket over my knees/legs on the sofa.
Finding a good tv/Netflix series and binge watching it.
My kids all being together and the joking and laughter.
My dog doing "happy paws" towards me when he sees me.
Dinner out with my husband where we take time to reconnect/chat/laugh.
A cold glass of good champagne.
The sun on my face and a sandy beach.

I could go on and on ....

GiddyRobin · 02/01/2025 18:57

RubiesandRose · 02/01/2025 18:49

Lovely thread! Here's my list of favourite things that make me happy!

My heated blanket over my knees/legs on the sofa.
Finding a good tv/Netflix series and binge watching it.
My kids all being together and the joking and laughter.
My dog doing "happy paws" towards me when he sees me.
Dinner out with my husband where we take time to reconnect/chat/laugh.
A cold glass of good champagne.
The sun on my face and a sandy beach.

I could go on and on ....

I love a good binge watch! It's been a while since I've found anything new, and DH and I are terrible creatures of habit when it comes to re-watching old faves. You've inspired me to be more experimental. 😁 Now I'm really fancying a meal in a restaurant too. All dressed up nice!

@NewYearNewName2025 I read this earlier but was settling back at home - when the birds were playing this afternoon, I did just this! They were going mad for the walnuts on the fruitcake!

@IJWMM This app sounds absolutely lovely - I'm going to search for it because we really love birds in this house. Love hearing then wake up of a morning, or those night time calls as they're settling down! I'm so glad your cat has a happy home - we took on my dad's cat when he passed away, too, and while he mourned for a bit he's really good with the other pets. Like a grumpy, wise older brother!

I'm really enjoying reading through this thread. The fact so many of us love such gentle, "little" things is lovely. Such an appreciation for the beauty of the world and it's small pleasures!

OP posts:
Moonlight222 · 02/01/2025 19:28

a mocha from the cafe near my work

looking at the pictures and little things my class make me, I keep them all in a scrap book

My daughters getting along and doing each others hair etc

new candles burning

having a gossip with my eldest daughter

having a manicure, coffee for the walk home along by the river with my earphones in

GiddyRobin · 02/01/2025 19:41

Moonlight222 · 02/01/2025 19:28

a mocha from the cafe near my work

looking at the pictures and little things my class make me, I keep them all in a scrap book

My daughters getting along and doing each others hair etc

new candles burning

having a gossip with my eldest daughter

having a manicure, coffee for the walk home along by the river with my earphones in

I love a manicure. That post-manicure satisfaction is just so good, it's always worth the effort. I know it's a bit twee, but I've really got into light nail art this year. Nothing flashy but just things like a bit of holly on my ring finger nail, etc. It's silly but makes me smile! So nice that you keep the things your class make you! Are they primary?

A few new ones:

  • A hot waterbottle on cold feet, especially when you've just settled down for the evening.
  • That exciting moment when a friend you've not chatted to in a while sends a message, and they're just so happy to exchange news and catch up.
  • The anticipation of running a lovely hot bath, especially during/after the Christmas period when you've got loads of nice smelly bits.
  • Sunsets. In winter, those pale and stark ones where the bare trees are outlined. In summer when the sky goes pinky purple and the light floods my hallway, and the stained glass lights up!
  • Listening to the DC sing silly little made up ditties. I always did it as a kid, got it from my dad, and it's so funny seeing them do it too!
OP posts:
freespirit333 · 02/01/2025 19:52

Pottering, free time with my youngest. He’s still willing enough to come on little errands with me with minimal moaning.

Pottering round the house getting little jobs done. Love a tick tick tick.

Reading.

Going to bed on a weekend and watching something on our new bedroom tv.

Cup of biscuit tea in the morning.

A run in perfect conditions.

Shopping in M&S food.

Lansonmaid · 02/01/2025 21:04

There are some lovely things on here...

Can I add:

The waggy welcome from our dogs when we've been out, even if it's only been half an hour!

The contented clucking noises our chickens make when tucking into some nice food

stayathomer · 02/01/2025 21:06

Bin day tomorrow and our bin is sooooo full!! If it goes it’ll be more than a little thing! Happy customers ( I work in a supermarket). Pjs and feet up. My db being happy (he has autism, some days he answers the phone happily, other days he’s stressed).

Cheeseandcrackers40 · 02/01/2025 21:11

When the kids get in bed for family snuggles with me and DH

When my kids make each other belly laugh and have inside jokes

Evenings in with my DH cuddling on the sofa

Doing the gardening when the kids are running around and having fun

Singing duets with my husband

When I'm walking with my children and one of them puts their hand in mine ❤️

Doing my yoga practice looking out over the garden.

Lovely thread!

Illjusthavethebreadsticks · 02/01/2025 23:30

A pot of tea and toast
Red wine
A hot bath and a book
When the housework is all done and my flat looks sparkling
White tulips
Finding a bargain at a jumble sale
A freshly made bed
Fairy lights
A roast
Hot water bottles
Cheese !
My fluffy black cat

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