HAPPINESS

40 small joys in life (and how to cherish them)

Emily Whitton
By Emily Whitton,
updated on Oct 7, 2024

Woman stood smiling in flower field.

What microjoys resonate with you? We share 40 ways to see the good in every day

The supermarket chain Tesco has seen a 25% rise in the sale of its bouquets of flowers in the last six months. This increased demand follows a large drop in sales during the pandemic, and now, according to Tesco's flower buyer, Ryan Daley, it’s believed that “the age of romance is back.” But this uptake could go beyond more people choosing to gift flowers to their loved ones – it might mean that more of us are embracing the little joys that life has to offer. 

Microjoys are small pockets of happiness that can be found in the everyday aspects of life that we often take for granted. These brief moments might not seem significant on the surface, but they have the power to really lift our mood and set the tone for the day. We can intentionally choose to be happy by seeking microjoys in what we might otherwise perceive as ‘mundane’ activities like making a cup of tea or hanging the washing out to dry. 

In our article, ‘What are micojoys and how can they help us feel more positive?’, we outline some of the simplest ways to learn to cherish the little things. From practising gratitude to celebrating others’ joy, we truly can create these experiences for ourselves – it’s just about having a little perspective. So with that, take a moment to slow down and see if any of the below resonate with you… 

  1. A warm cup of tea on a cold, crisp morning.
  2. Climbing into fresh bedsheets. 
  3. Drying washing outside. 
  4. A day off with no plans. 
  5. A relaxing bath. 
  6. That first page of a new notebook. 
  7. The birds chirping in the trees. 
  8. Cudding a pet. 
  9. Calling a loved one. 
  10. The smell of freshly cut grass. 
  11. Waking up a few minutes before your alarm.
  12. Ticking something off your to-do list. 
  13. The satisfaction after organising. 
  14. A perfectly poached egg. 
  15. Laughing with friends. 
  16. The sound of rain pattering on the roof. 
  17. Warm sun streaming through your window. 
  18. Stargazing. 
  19. The sound of sea waves rolling in.
  20. Being snuggled under a cosy blanket.
  21. The gentle flicker of a candle flame and its aroma.
  22. The smell of clean laundry. 
  23. Reading. 
  24. Bright white clouds against a perfectly blue sky. 
  25. Re-watching your favourite TV show. 
  26. Remembering a happy memory. 
  27. Listening to your favourite music. 
  28. A beautiful sunrise/sunset. 
  29. The changing leaves in Autumn. 
  30.  Completing a jigsaw puzzle. 
  31. Successfully trying out a new recipe. 
  32. Seeing your gardening efforts in bloom. 
  33. Peace and quiet after an intense day. 
  34. Waking up from a great night’s sleep. 
  35. People-watching from your favourite coffee shop window. 
  36. Donating items to charity. 
  37. A smile from a stranger.
  38. Giving a compliment. 
  39. A beautiful rainbow after a rainy day. 
  40. Buying yourself flowers, just because. 

It’s so easy to live life on autopilot and this often means we miss the smallest things that can give us that spark. Take a moment to pause, take some deep breaths and approach each day with curiosity. Can you spot that glimmer?

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