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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!

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Joyfulincolour · 03/01/2025 09:53

Waking up early and having time to take a cup of Earl Grey tea back to bed & then journalling & meditating before work.
I love using fleece blankets instead of sheets on my bed.
Decluttering a cupboard/drawer or room. There must be a dopamine link with doing this sort of thing as it's so satisfying. It's similar to packing away the Christmas tree & feeling you've gained lots of space in your house.
I enjoy going to a coffee shop that opens early (07.00) to read my book & drink a flat white in the peace & quiet. The cafe looks out over some fields, so it's lovely to watch the sunrise at this time of year.
I love it when my 17 year old dd asks me to do her a head massage, whilst she's laid on her bed. We chat & discuss things she might be worried about as I massage her head/back and it really settles her. We're so grateful that she likes this still at this age.
Listening to podcasts either as I walk round the supermarket or on a drive. Dr Andrew Huberman is a favourite & Davina. I love learning about people, relationships & our behaviour.

Thank you @GiddyRobin for this wonderful, uplifting thread. It would be nice to keep it going so we can return to it over the coming months when we might need reminding of all the good things. It's like a "happiness buffett" where you can come and pick up a few things to do that make you smile.

Deathraystare · 03/01/2025 10:27

A new lipstick particularly if an unusual colour/not something I have had before - Step forward Rimmel Regent Street - a nice orange colour!

Seeing my friends - seeing one tomorrow who will wash my verminous coat for me. Rumour has it it was once red, is now black! I do not have a washing machine and the dryers in the launderette are too hot for it.

Listening to music/talking books/watching DVDs

Reading

An unexpected birthday cake (yesterday) from a porter!

Bright days as opposed to the usual grey ones!

People watching

A nice cuppa tea either English breakfast/Earl Grey/lemon & Ginger/Camomile

Namechangenye2021 · 03/01/2025 12:19

Bogofftosomewherehot · 01/01/2025 15:54

Being the only one up at sunrise
Decent cuppa
Self care alone - sitting on a beach, in the woods, spa, etc
Fresh sheets
MSc studying - (on my 3rd degree)
Planning a holiday

I read this and thought I’ve always wanted my masters. Ended up down a rabbit hole on the OU website and I’m now signed up to start on the 25th of this month! Thanks @Bogofftosomewherehot !

CrepuscularCritter · 03/01/2025 13:15

@GiddyRobin You should know that your namesake brings me joy. I have a nocturnal singing robin outside my window, who regularly serenades from 2am. Apparently night singing robins are a thing, and it's definitely a robin as I have checked on Merlin. He never wakes me, but if I should be awake, it's beautiful to hear him in full song while the world is quiet.

GiddyRobin · 03/01/2025 14:04

@CrepuscularCritter Oh, this is just lovely! I have a fascination with robins, always have since I was small, and there's a resident robin who visits our garden every day. He's very friendly and particularly enjoys sitting on my lilac tree and watching me if I open the back door! But I had absolutely no idea they could be nocturnal! This has made my afternoon - the idea of him just sitting there singing lullabies to you is so sweet! If ever you chance to see him, you must let me know. I can absolutely imagine him as plump and the happiest of all!

@Namechangenye2021 This brought me joy!! How bloody brilliant! What did you choose it in? Masters are a lot of fun - mine were in librarianship and then English Literature. SO exciting, and it's like going back to school but in the best way! I'm chuffed for you!

@Deathraystare This post made me smile - I used to love the launderette as a kid. The smell and the warmth was so comforting, and on Christmas Eve my dad would send us down with a load of bedding to be washed. Walking back with warm bags in our arms in the freezing cold was my favourite part of the whole day!

@Joyfulincolour This made me smile; I didn't expect this thread to turn out so absolutely beautiful. Every time I sit down and scroll, it's like a lovely little reminder of the nice things in the world. I'm definitely going to keep updating because it's just such a nice little space!

It's so lovely that your DD wants massages from you - such a bonding thing! I'm really touched by the posts about older children, it's really lovely to see so many strong relationships here. Mine are young still and it's my absolute dream they turn out like this and don't entirely tire of me. 😂 Journalling is a gorgeous activity. Do you keep your old journals? Sometimes I think I'd like to put some of mine together for the kids when they're older and I'm not around.

@Illjusthavethebreadsticks White tulips! 😍 Gorgeous things. The shape of tulips makes me unreasonably happy, haha! They're so elegant! I have an Alphonse Mucha pen that features them...tbh I think they're supposed to be roses, but his style makes them look very tulip-y!

@Cheeseandcrackers40 I bloody love family snuggles in the big bed. Never, ever gets old. Our two came in on New Year's Eve as we were falling asleep, and it was so nice to wake up with their sleepy little cheeks and messy hair in the morning!

@stayathomer You sound like a lovely sister! I bet your DB is so grateful to have you. My younger brother is also ND, he manages well a lot of the time, but around this time of year especially we always try and make sure his texts are seeming "him". Thankfully his GF is fab, she's also ND and has slotted into his life (and ours) like the missing piece of a jigsaw.

@Lansonmaid Chickens! Bloody love chickens! They're so affectionate too, when their pecking dies down a bit. 🤣

@freespirit333 M&S food is lovely. I always used to walk past to smell the bakery as a kid (far too expensive for us back then!), so now when I go I head there immediately and just inhale for nostalgia. 😂 Typically, I turned out to be a bloody coeliac, so sniffing is truly the best I can get these days...but I'm very partial to their smoked salmon and fizzy cordials, so I live haha!!

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mumonthehill · 03/01/2025 14:13

My first cup of coffee in the morning. A really hot shower on a cold afternoon. That first snowdrop. Dc laughing together. Dh making me a hot water bottle just because. A glass of wine by the fire with a book. So many little things, you can so easily forget to appreciate them.

Namechangenye2021 · 03/01/2025 14:54

@GiddyRobin thank you so much 😊I’m doing an MSc in Mental Health Science. Maybe an excuse to go and buy some nice new pens, notebooks and highlighters! What a life changing decision reading your thread was 😊

GiddyRobin · 03/01/2025 15:04

Namechangenye2021 · 03/01/2025 14:54

@GiddyRobin thank you so much 😊I’m doing an MSc in Mental Health Science. Maybe an excuse to go and buy some nice new pens, notebooks and highlighters! What a life changing decision reading your thread was 😊

Oh that sounds incredible! I really hope you enjoy it, and if it leads to a new life direction too then how amazing! I'm so excited for you, genuinely! 😁 Definitely get that stationery! And a new bag - Waterstones are doing lovely stationery and very thick tote bags, which are perfect for books and bits if you fancy a coffee shop research! You absolutely have to keep us updated on things - I am so invested!! ❤️

@mumonthehill The morning coffee is always the best coffee. Love it either in bed or outside if it's dry, it feels like the world hasn't quite woken yet...even if it's Sunday and it's 10am!

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SereneCapybara · 03/01/2025 16:24

GiddyRobin · 01/01/2025 16:18

@CharliesAngles
That must sound brilliant! My dad was musical but I've got two left hands. DH is a violinist...and a pianist....and plays cello...and flute...and EVERYTHING. I'm so jealous. (Well, unless he takes it upon himself to woo me with said instruments. Maybe not the flute!) 😂 I keep trying to get the kids into guitar so they can play me some Dylan, but no such luck. <sigh> They're their father's spawn through and through!

Sarnies made and I am absolutely loving everyone's happy things! @Icequeen01 and @SpicyMarge - my feline loving heart just melted. We've got four, three rescues apart from one who was a feral cat's kitten. He's insane but we love him. It's so nice to see these little sausages getting a new lease of life and comfort.

It's also so lovely to hear such nice stories about children and DH's. I appreciate mine so bloody much (even if he is too talented for his own good and a terrible fiend for giving me Bailey's), I don't know what I'd do without him. This thread is gorgeous.

I thought of a few more quick ones:

  • The smell of lavender when you walk past a bush and sneakily grab some. Same with mint.
  • Watching the birds fight for worms after a storm!
  • DH when he decides to be romantic and reads aloud.
  • Bob Dylan's Christmas album! It is so silly and I love it. 🤣

Where is everyone buying their stationary? I need some new stuff but I'm not sure where to browse this year. I also have pen pals as a pp said so adore lovely paper and pens!

Off to fall over in the snow on the way to Mil's now. 😂

Edited

This post has just reminded me of an ex who learned how to play my favourite folk song on the penny whistle and just turned up one day and played it. Not everyone can make a penny whistle sound gorgeous but he could. It was such a lovely moment.

Edited to add - look up Peter Pauper notebooks. They are like the fancy Paperblanks ones but half the price. Absolutely gorgeous.

Taytocrisps · 03/01/2025 16:44

Also, it might sound sad, but I love a tidy, well stocked, organized fridge. I clean the fridge once a week and I love opening the fridge door afterwards to see everything all clean and shiny and orderly.

EllaPaella · 03/01/2025 16:55

An early morning dip in the sea with friends then wrapping up warm and heading to the cafe for coffee and a bacon bap or cake.
A glass of red wine on the sofa with the fire on and twinkly lights from the Christmas tree.
A hot bath filled with badedas and a good book to read.
A delicous scented candle burning in the evening.
That feeling after a run once I've had a hot shower and feel invigorated.
Snuggling on the sofa with DC and Ddog to watch a film.
When DH announces he's ordered a takeaway after a long Friday when we can't be bothered to cook.
These are all wintery ones.

StripyRedSocks · 03/01/2025 17:11
  • The indignant look on the dog’s face when she is delicately pawing some ice and then decides to go for it, but cracks the ice and is up to her ankles in freezing cold water
  • home made soup
  • looking up on an early evening walk and realising that there’s a star show above and trying to work out what they are
  • Giving a book a second chance and finding a real gem
  • Getting kit ready for exercise class tomorrow
  • having a bath when I have had to abstain for 24 hours so as not to get a plaster-ed area wet. Taking the plaster off.
Moonlight222 · 03/01/2025 17:55

GiddyRobin · 02/01/2025 19:41

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!

@GiddyRobin they are year 2 and I’ve moved up with them so year 2 now and also work 1:1 and occasionally get a drawing which I treasure, anything any child gives me regardless of their year group I keep, they’ve taken time to draw, write or cut me out something, last day of term I bring in the book and show them. I know exactly what you mean after a manicure, I also like the “I’ve done something for myself feeling”

Cattery · 03/01/2025 18:31

Nice glass of rosè. The house being clean and tidy. A takeaway so no cooking. A good parking space at the supermarket so minimal manoeuvring. The cat buzzing to be with us. A night out with my close family who I love and having a laugh. Banter between my sons. Christmas: all of it. Magical x

GiddyRobin · 03/01/2025 19:03

@SereneCapybara Oh this is lovely! I never thought I'd imagine a pennywhistle as romantic, but now I do! What was the folk song, if you don't mind sharing? I also love folk music so I'd love to imagine this!

Also - WOW. I am in love! I've just made a cuppa and I'm going to settle in and choose a new notebook! They're beautiful, aren't they?! Might send one to MiL, too, she'll absolutely get a kick out of these! Thank you! 😍

@Taytocrisps It doesn't sound sad at all! It's lovely opening your fridge and seeing it all stocked with goodies but also clean! I had an ex who let his get so grimy, I'd always go home and scrub mine on behalf of his! 🤣 I'm like this with my bookshelves too. I'm very lucky to have a library room and I am a complete freak when it comes to everything having a place. Nothing makes me happier than polished shelves!

@EllaPaella These are all lovely! I'd love to do sea swimming - do you need to be a strong swimmer? I'm okay but not great, so I've always been a bit nervous! We did some cold early morning dips while in Norway, but I was too scared to go to the sea!

@StripyRedSocks Your first one made me laugh out loud! I recognise this all too well. 🤣 Have you tried an app for stargazing? DH has one and I think it's called Night Sky - will check when he gets back in from walking the dogs! And yes yes yes to second chances with books! I recently re-tried The Mercies by Kiran Milwood Hargreave - I don't know why I'd put it down to begin with! Absolutely gorgeous!

@Moonlight222 This is so kind and sweet; what a lovely teacher you are! I had a teacher when I was young, Miss Locke, and she was a bit like this. I've never forgotten her, she was just so nice and had such a special way about her. Those little ones will definitely remember the role you played in their early lives.

@Cattery You've inspired me to do takeaway tomorrow and buy some rosè; haven't had that in years. We're still in Christmas mode here, and I'm being terrible and leaving up the decs until Candlemas. I just can't bring myself to take them down yet; the tree is still alive as it went up late and my sister watered it well while we were away, so it feels like the decision has been made for me. 😂

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Whatwouldnanado · 03/01/2025 19:08

The funny “bwmow” noise my cat makes when he jumps up to sit beside me.
My husband’s smile when he comes through the door.
Bulbs poking their noses through on the darkest days.

RoastPotatoConnoisseur · 03/01/2025 19:09

Oh what a lovely thread.
Mine are a lovely long woods walk with the dogs on a crisp autumn morning.
Spending time with my family.
Watching the birds in the garden, especially in the summer when I can sit out for hours and just watch and listen or read a book in their company.
A nice cup of tea in front of the fire on a stormy day.
One that is a bit niche but a good day out eventing on a sunny late spring day. Nothing better than a lovely day out riding my horse doing what we both love.

Movingbutstandingstill · 03/01/2025 19:10

A glass of coke with ice (from a can) and the crackling noise.

twohotwaterbottles · 03/01/2025 19:28

whatisforteamum · 01/01/2025 15:22

My cute furry alarm clock.my ginger cat
Strong black coffee
Walking in nature
Finding a nice chocolate in my pocket unexpectedly.😊

I'm intrigued by the furry alarm clock. Just the sound of it is making me smile ☺️

GiddyRobin · 03/01/2025 19:38

@Whatwouldnanado That noise! You've captured it completely! I copy my cats when they do it, and it reminds me of a little spring or something. Little funny bouncy, springy cats. 😂 This is lovely, all of it. I don't think I'll ever tire of that smile. It's like the world is all as it should be.

@RoastPotatoConnoisseur I love these. Do you get bats of an evening in summer? I absolutely adore watching them swoop around while the birds chatter, just as dusk is settling in. So nice with a lovely cold drink in the garden. Eventing looks incredible - we're a horsey family but have never tried it! Love watching though! How did you get into it?

@Movingbutstandingstill That's the sound of summer, right there! The can dripping wet in the heat but freezing cold and bubbly, and the first mouthful takes your breath away!

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OrangeBlossomsinthesun · 03/01/2025 20:03

GiddyRobin · 01/01/2025 15:19

Yes to egg and chips! Do you have beans too? This was my favourite growing up. The DC turn their noses up to it and I'm outraged.

Boiled egg and soldiers.

GiddyRobin · 03/01/2025 20:05

OrangeBlossomsinthesun · 03/01/2025 20:03

Boiled egg and soldiers.

Oh god yes. Absolutely gorgeous. We had this thing as a kid we'd call "egg in a cup" - literally soft boiled eggs mashed in a cup, with chunks of white buttered bread in there, and salt and pepper. And more bread on the side. It was our sick food along with tomato soup, and every so often I get such a craving!

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RoastPotatoConnoisseur · 04/01/2025 08:47

@GiddyRobin yes we get lots of bats here. We back onto woodland so in the summer evenings the bird song can be so loud but still dreamy to listen to.
I got into eventing many moons ago via Pony Club. I was very average at pure dressage and show jumping didn’t give me much of a buzz despite being rather good at it but cross country was my thing so eventing was the way to go. I haven’t done as much recently due to various injuries to me and my horse but hoping this is our year to get back out 🤞🏻

RachelCarew · 04/01/2025 08:52

Boiled egg and soldiers was called the ‘breakfast of champions’ by my dad 🥰 when we were kids. I still call it that now and make it for me and my young adult kids as often as twice a week!

worriedgal · 04/01/2025 11:06

Obviously my family and adult children enjoying each other's company

A leisurely bath with candles,body scrub and chilled music

Butter

A winter's walk with dh or friends

Our cat

Dd being happy and settled after years of anxiety