75 Simple Pleasures to Brighten Your Day

Victor Says:

July 19th, 2007, 5:27 am

1. Waking early in the morning
2. Being right when everyone was thinking I was wrong
3. A good laugh of something not that funny
4. An extra income of inesperated cash
5. Losing weight in a healty way
6. A smile in your kid when you arrive home
7. A smile in your wife when you arrive home
8. Two minutes of a movie that make you cry of emotion
9. A good book that you have to read until the next chapter
10. The sensation of knowing that you make an anonymous donation

Alex Ion Says:

July 19th, 2007, 6:35 am

Kudos for

2. Walking barefoot in grass.
75. Swimming at night.

Shine Says:

July 19th, 2007, 6:41 am

Brilliant! This list can go on and go and be very personalise. But, don’t we get the idea? Do whatever makes us feel good - some how we can’t feel too angry when we put a smile on our face! Or, we can pick one from your list and start doing it - sure it makes some difference.

Christopher, Poland Says:

July 19th, 2007, 7:15 am

even reading about it is pleasurable ;-D

Jake Says:

July 19th, 2007, 7:35 am

Fantastic list and a great idea - I must aim to do at least one per day!

Meredith Says:

July 19th, 2007, 9:13 am

1. Driving down the open road/interstate, with favorite music playing
2. Getting to leave work early…even five minutes
3. The smell of laundry, fresh out of the dryer
4. Going on a treasure hunt at Barnes & Noble
5. Calvin & Hobbes comic strips

Dr Shock Says:

July 19th, 2007, 9:51 am

1. running to clear my head
2. watch a soccer game with one of the kids

For dark chocolate please see:
http://ectweb.blogspot.com/2007/07/is-chocolate-antidepressant.html

Grayson De Ritis Says:

July 19th, 2007, 10:49 am

Thank you for taking the time to put this together, Leo. Time for me to fwd this link to friends :-)

Jared Says:

July 19th, 2007, 10:51 am

In no nesscesary order…

1. Taking a flight and watching the shadow of your airplane leave the ground.
2. Soft, cool grass
3 Watching a little old lady play the piano at a mall. Seeing her in the joy of playing her music.
4. Flashing yellow lights on the streets on Sunday morning.
5. Accelerating out of a curve.
6. Seeing a friend in an unexpected place.

Pril Says:

July 19th, 2007, 11:47 am

i went throught this list and wrong my pro’s and cons to it then deleted it!
lol
but it’s a great list!
Thanks

Armand Says:

July 19th, 2007, 14:07 pm

Brilliant suggestions here!

I find pleasure in ideas… I enjoy thinking and the process of creating ideas. :)

Red Zinnia Says:

July 19th, 2007, 14:08 pm

Love this list. . .
Here are a couple more from me:

Reading in bed
Watching the bird feeder
Good olive oil and roasted garlic on fresh bread. With wine!
Fresh flowers
An evening by a fire
Taking the kids & their buddies swimming

I’m really enjoying your blog, Leo. Thanks!

chica with issues Says:

July 19th, 2007, 14:32 pm

even just the smell of coffee is pleasurable!
great list :)

Travis Says:

July 19th, 2007, 15:09 pm

Good list. I can’t indulge in the food methodologies, but I am with you on the rest.

Enoch Says:

July 19th, 2007, 17:43 pm

OT: Leo, I don’t know how to get rid off gtd.zigzo
What did you do?

[]’s

Enoch, from Brazil

Leo Says:

July 19th, 2007, 20:59 pm

Thanks for the great comments, everyone! I’m loving your lists of simple pleasures. :)

@Enoch: I didn’t do anything … I just ignore that rip-off site. I noticed it and was bothered a little, but then I gave up caring as I have other things to worry about. :)

starlyte Says:

July 19th, 2007, 22:04 pm

A few of my simple pleasures:
A cat purring on your lap
Playing/cuddling/snuggling with my dog
Nature songs: Birds/cicadas/frogs/crickets/the wind/cottonwood leaves
The scent of freshly washed sheets
The smell of pine trees

Niika Says:

July 19th, 2007, 22:20 pm

Free fun:
Walking barefoot thru the house to answer the phone, rolling heel to toe as I go
Smelling the top of my son’s head
Smelling the air after rain
Wearing a very soft cotton dress
Picturing the face and smiling eyes of a close friend in my mind’s eye
Breathing all the way in and all the way out - feels good!

Richard Says:

July 19th, 2007, 22:52 pm

* Climbing a Tree
* The smell of fresh baked bread
* Cuddling your pet
* A full tummy
* Sliding into a warm bed
* Being woken with a kiss
* Playing a old up-beat song on repeat
* Warm milk and honey
* Delicious Hot Ramen
* Lying in the sun
* Rolling down a grassy hill
* Realizing you have the whole day left to do whatever you want

Michael Says:

July 19th, 2007, 23:05 pm

Wait…you live on a tropical island?

Adam Snider Says:

July 20th, 2007, 0:55 am

Hey Leo, great stuff, as usual. I’m a sucker for this type of post. But, and fresh snow? That’s not a simple pleasure for us Canadians, it’s fact of life!

All kidding aside, I actually do really like a fresh snowfall, especially if you’re the first one outside walking on it, early in the morning. The silence of a winter morning, the sound of fresh snow crunching under your boots, and maybe the occasional car swooshing by in the distance. Few moments are more perfect.

Chris Says:

July 20th, 2007, 1:15 am

Most of these are awesome, though some of them have a subtle corruption to them.

For example: “2. Being right when everyone was thinking I was wrong”

From a Buddhist standpoint that is far from the Righteous Mind. You shouldn’t take pleasure in vindication. You shouldn’t need it; wanting is suffering. It also suggest arrogance, a desire to feel superior to others.

Notice the best ones are simply stopping and living.

Jeri Dansky Says:

July 20th, 2007, 23:09 pm

Playing “chase the red dot” with a cat and a laser pointer.

Finding something a new home via Freecycle.

The smell of eucalyptus after a rain.

Keith Says:

July 22nd, 2007, 9:02 am

I was thinking of your Thursday entry this morning while walking the dog. Our beagle wants to go rabbit rousting every morning at about 6. We sprint across the field behind the house sniff around, howl and do the morning constitutional then spring some more. This morning it is a perfect day here. Jack and I just enjoyed sitting on the patio watching the shadows retreat on the field, blue sky with gold tinged clouds, me petting him. Quiet for a change. Refreshing.

I recommend a dog if you want to incorporate some impromptu exercise and companionable relaxation. A beagle is an great choice. They can be an unending source of enjoyment.

JEZMEBABY Says:

July 22nd, 2007, 14:18 pm

Nuzzeling your newborn in bed.
Resolving a silly conflict
Clean sheets after a night swim
Kittens
Fresh warm sticky cinnamon rolls
Unexpected flowers
Hearing and old favorite on the radio
Slow dancing w/out music anywhere
Your plane landing safely
Taking a test w/ confidence
Not being afraid
Trusting someone

Isac Says:

July 23rd, 2007, 8:33 am

…to brighten your day?

Swim at night? :p

William Profet :: OneJobTwoSalaries.com Says:

July 25th, 2007, 4:09 am

1. Hug your beloved one for a second or two.
2. Smile to a stranger.
3. Look at the skies.

dell 1691p battery Says:

September 11th, 2007, 2:30 am

Walking barefoot in grass

mary Says:

October 1st, 2007, 20:46 pm

your site is fantastic. its follow-up links are better. a must. just simply must. please simplify as much as possible and dont stop the flow. my life is KISS. KEEP IT SIMPLE AND SPIRITUAL.

THANK YOU FOR FINALLY A GREAT WEBSITE

Tammy Says:

October 4th, 2007, 8:33 am

Thanks for this article…and the others I have been reading today…they are most inspiring.
The list of simple pleasures you have compilated conjures a very vibrant series of mental images, bring a smile to my face and light to an otherwise grey and boring day.

I would have to say also:
- Having my cat sleep on my lap
- Sitting in front of a fire, watching snow outside
- Hot chocolate, complete with marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles…the works

Thanks again for this.

danilla Says:

November 15th, 2007, 14:30 pm

KISS keep it simple and spiritual…exactly my thoughts.

Thank you everyone above….I was able to visualize all the above images…and most were past experiences brought to my mind and heart once again. And as i sit here at the college lab…I giggle at the screen and others are confused. But thats okay my day is brighter now. Oh if i could only do all those things above on a weekly basis…

My favs:
1. Chase the red dot lol
2. Swiming at night regardless of the weather
3. Dancing with music/or with out
4. Good olive oil and roasted garlic on fresh bread
5. fireplace/ or firepit with good friends and a guiter
6. kissing in the rain or someone telling you your beautiful first thing when they wake…(its the thought that counts lol)
7. barefoot on the warm beach
8. playing under a waterful (gentle one of course)
9. Telling jokes till your sides ache ( till your jaws ache too)
10. yummy smores
11. finally getting a joke hours later, when your alone in a grocery aisle..and other bystanders are confused hahaha
12. truly feeling grateful for life

mary r. Says:

November 16th, 2007, 23:03 pm

5 senses

walking and notice smell
sitting and watch a color or light
lying down and listen to the music of the heart
stand and taste the sweet

Coconut Says:

November 30th, 2007, 19:14 pm

My friend and I have reflected on our “5 Happy Moments” of the day for the last 5 years…we decided that it helps us take time during the day to reflect and realize the simple pleasures that exist in life. Even if we’re having a horrible day, it helps us notice that there are good things that happen everyday.

Denyse Says:

December 15th, 2007, 20:15 pm

Strange, because to me, these are the big things in life.

Joe Crisara Says:

January 14th, 2008, 1:42 am

Walking the dog in LA right when the sun comes up. You could shoot a cannon ball (ANyone got one of these?) right down 3rd Street at 6 am and not hit anything. (Not that I’m trying to hit anything…)

elisaveth Says:

January 24th, 2008, 18:30 pm

holding hands
climbing trees
lying in a hammock and watching the sun on the leaves overhead
climbing into a freshly made bed
listening to rain on the roof
writing a gratitude list
singing old television theme songs
holding your child while s/he sleeps
fingerpainting
the smell of freshly baked bread
watching meteor showers or the northern lights
reading in the bathtub

Juliano Says:

February 20th, 2008, 15:31 pm

I never care too much for blogs untill i found this one, now i can’t get enought of it =)
Great List !!

My contribution:

Watch puddles gatter rain
An invitation of a friend when you have nothing to do
When your favorite music plays on the radio
A kiss on the neck when you are not expecting
The feeling when you finish a good movie
That shower that gives you a refresh
Hot chocolate with an epic movie on a rainny sunday
The smell after you open a window when the rain stops
Realise its a holyday and you don’t have to work
Eating pinhão on winter (Brazil only i think).
Someone tell you that love’s you
Diving in water
Getting home after a long tripp

i loved this idea, i could write all day long
its making me feel better just by thinking about it =)

VGP-BPS2 Says:

February 22nd, 2008, 3:05 am

I never care too much for blogs untill i found this one, now i can’t get enought of it =)
Great List !!

RRR Says:

March 13th, 2008, 21:53 pm

Quite a big list :-) Great job!

VeNoMmx Says:

March 26th, 2008, 0:21 am

Being the last one to let go when you hug someone.

Ploughman Says:

April 1st, 2008, 14:46 pm

Playing with your friends no matter how old you are.

willwindow Says:

April 4th, 2008, 11:33 am

1. Smiling
2. Getting my hands into some dough
3. Napping in the sun
4. Putting a clown nose on, when in the car, and looking at other drivers
5. Big hugs

Jonathan Says:

April 5th, 2008, 16:49 pm

I enjoy reading Zenhabits.net on a daily basis. One of my all time favorite posts is 75 simple pleasures to brighten your day. So I decided to take this post and creatively combine some Zen habits together on my blog http://enlightenyourday.com/ for your reading pleasure. However, I did give Leo full credit for the original post and links back to this wonderful blog.

Here is my list:

Taking a long, warm and relaxing shower, gradually cooling the temperature until you feel completely refreshed. Now, hop right back into bed and snuggle closely with your loved one.
Walking barefoot in grass while listening to good music and smelling the fresh-cut grass permeating the air.
Playing hooky to have a picnic and blow bubbles into the sun while forgetting completely about your things to-do list.
Dancing like you are crazy because no one is watching, feeling great for doing it, like a revitalizing workout.
Taking a hot bubble bath with the window cracked open to feel the gentle breeze caress your skin.
Kiss in the morning rain and come home to a soothing message and comfortable nap.
Eating Fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies and telling jokes till your sides ache.
Watching the sunrise to a surprise breakfast in bed.
Walking on the beach with a friend to watch the sunset; enjoying the art of conversation as the sun sinks below the horizon line.
Snuggling together under the covers on a stormy day with all your favorite chocolates and wine to keep you company.
Staying up all night talking between making slow and sensual love to your partner.
Being lazy on a Sunday with Fries, a chocolate milkshake, and Reese’s peanut butter cups for dessert.
Floating in the water and watching the ebb and flow of the ocean.
After dancing in the rain and stomping in puddles, singing loudly in the shower to clean your body and mind.
Making someone smile and helping someone in need on the same day.
The smell of a new Moleskine notebook, the feel of the fresh crisp pages, and the flow of a good pen to drain your creative thoughts.
Swimming at night after a long day of just being you.

Arun S Says:

April 6th, 2008, 22:53 pm

Wow! The mere thought of happiness brightens the day! ^_^