to ask what are your simple joys?

[crochetmonkey74]

I'm a bit low at the moment and very overwhelmed with work. Live alone so can be lonely. I do have some things to look forward to, but I want to recapture my love of home and life. Think clean sheets, the perfect cuppa and the perfect biscuit
What are your simple joys?

This is what I aspire to to. I never seem to get through everything I ought to do, let alone everything I’d like to.

Naps. Naps are my favourite thing. I am constantly woken up at night by an insomniac child and a sick dog and taking a nap where I wake up myself (as opposed to being woken) feels like the absolute height of luxury to me.

Coffee made just the way I like it in my favourite mug. A nice woodland walk (in almost any weather, if the woodland is right) Fresh homemade bread rolls and hot soup. A hot bath (I know, I know. But it’s 50p here. What else can you do for 50p that feels as good as a hot bath?!). A new book by an author I enjoy. A real fire. A proper dessert with custard. My cinnamon scented candle.

My first cup of tea in the morning outside in the garden. I allow myself 15 minutes before getting ready for work. If it is raining I sit in the garage doorway 😂

Really nice lighting. Can be a candle on or a lamp at the right brightness in a nice corner. Bonus points if the lamp is on a timer so it is just automatic and I don't have to turn it on. I have one on the landing upstairs and it just makes me happy to be able to walk upstairs and the lamp be on lighting the area perfectly.

My pets bring me alot of joy, they are so loving, playful and affectionate. l miss them when l' m not at home and they always seem p!eased to see me.
Also my garden, it is my passion and nice to bring some flowers into the house, l also take alot of root cuttings and am always p!eased when l can tell they have taken. Simple pleasures.

Getting everything tidy and ready for the morning then getting in matching pajamas with a glass of wine, bit of cheese and whatever series I'm watching

Downton, Handmaid's Tale and House of the Dragon at the moment

Lighting candles and settling down on a cold night

Crisp fresh line dried bed sheets

settling down in front of the TV with my favourite meal or snacks and some easy going tv

my dog being happy to see me every evening without fail

Getting into bed with the electric blanket having warmed it up and going to sleep! Ahhhhhh

I get occasional takeaway coffee.
I buy something that may help me booster my mood such as Lush soap or cosmetics like lipstick, blusher or eyeshadows.
I blow dry my hair. I don't have any techniques but I feel good when I get volume in my hair.
I set goals. I don't need to achieve them. The important thing is to have the kind of feeling that I do something for my self.
I write. It's more fun to write than to read or listen.

A cup of tea in bed.

Totally agree. My beautiful dog got me through the lockdown, I love nothing more than cuddling up with him on the sofa. Dogs are just the best x

A clean house, my Slippers and all teens in and happy after their days at school/uni

Kicking leaves, stamping on the husks of beech nuts on the floor, collecting conkers with the kids.

Trying new teas in the afternoon, long soaks in the bath with bubbles.

Crafternoons with the kids on a Sunday after lunch!

Fresh air, trees, changing seasons. Baked potatoes, fresh bread, Dahl, cinnamon rolls, roast chicken- easy comfort food. Pets if you have them. Fluffy blankets. Candles. Cosy books, cheesy films.

Watching my toddler all snug in his fleece pyjamas, night gown, drinking water in his big boy cup.

Yesssss to naps!!!

I swear nobody I know gets it but a good nap makes such a difference for me!

Taking time to enjoy the small pleasures that each season brings.

Daffodils, snowdrops, ducklings, seeing the lambs skip about, easter, the world coming to life again in the spring.
Ice cream, lines of washing blowing in the wind, paddling pools in the summer.
Blackberries, crisp but sunny mornings, conkers, halloween, colours of the leaves in the autumn.
Hot chocolate by the fire, standing outside after snow and listening to the silence, snowmen, Christmas, a nice long break from work!

I find it very easy to descend into a "everything's shit" mentality, but if I find I'm slipping into that mind set I find small things help.

I don't know if this is classified as a simple pleasure but I find my pilates class was a lifeline in some moments of unbearable stress with my job.

I used to go to a hall. Now I do it online. The act of really concentrating on what your body is doing is great way of eliminating work stress . Instructor has a good line in chat too.

Failing that, a buttered crumpet and a cup of tea in a really nice mug might do the job.

Agreed. They really are divine.

Walking my dog and going and having a cuddle with my sons Siamese cats .

There simplest is taking my dog for a walk and watching her enjoy all the smells and things she loves. Love her being there for me when I (twice a week) get home from work. I just love her, but then I've loved all my animals in my life. Cats and dogs are the best.

Our pear tree had grown some years.

So went in the rain with my mum to pick the pears. Really fun time had by all. Found out my mum is really good at getting the pears of the high branches with her crutches.
Will probably remember that for the rest of my life. Now we've got over a pears 100 that we are trying to get through.

The house is for sale so we probably wont get to lick pears again.

This week my daughter did her rainbow promise at her rainbows and brownie group.

She is the only rainbow, but despite this she spoke out so clearly and loud enough for everyone to hear. I was so proud of her.

After over 10 years in my old house. We have moved house and I've finally got washing line.

Previously the clothes would be dried on the radiators or in the conservatory if it was hot.

The Joy I feel with the planning of the laundry.

Every week I check the weather to see which would be the best day to wash the clothes.
Putting the clothes out. Then using the pegs as well as a smaller circular peg unit for socks and undies.
Then sitting in the living room and watching the laundry moving in the breeze.
I really do enjoy it a bit too much.
Then when it's time to bring it in, my kids like to join me in taking the pegs off and putting them all in the peg box.

I've just been on a mental health course at work. One thing the trainer said was our brains are wired so that we ruminate over the bad things that happen (even the little annoyances), and forget the good things. Take the time to 'notice' each good thing that happens to you (he suggested thinking of it like a bank account - each time you notice something good, it's 'cash in' to your account, to keep you in credit for when the bad things happen. you need to have something you say to yourself, like 'cash in', so that it 'sticks' in your brain).

-Having a nice warm bath, putting clean pyjamas on and getting into a bed with clean sheets - heaven!

Finding a new TV programme to get hooked on

Cup of tea after I get home from work

Reading a good book

My cats

Calling my mum for a chat

Having an afternoon nap when I can squeeze one in!

Freshly brewed coffee.