Here’s a simple list of 100+ things that make me happy and bring simple pleasure, allowing me to appreciate life, feel less anxious, and find joy in navigating my day.
Life can be chaotic. Some days, you’ll feel like you’re in a better place, while other days, you feel lost, tired, and even begin to question your existence.
Because, more often than not, we focus on the “big miracles” and events that happen in our lives and fail to see the simple things that make us happy.
I mean that little moment where you let your guard down and give a beautiful smile because you experience something so “minute” yet smile-worthy.
As an overthinker, I’ve consciously learned to never underestimate the simple things that bring me joy.
So, instead of always focusing on the bigger picture, I focus on simple things that make me happy to boost my motivation and find little pockets of joy daily, especially on days “when life is happening.”
So, if you’re hoping to find simple things that could also bring you joy, you’re in the right place.
You’ll find a list of things that make me happy and could inspire you to create your happiness list today.
But you may be wondering, Faith, “How can making a list of things that make you happy help me?”
The goal of this blog post is not only to inspire you to create your “happiness list” but to also encourage you to take a break, look around, and find little things that make you happy daily, to build a life filled with laughter.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure here
How to Find Simple Things That Make You Happy?
When the day gets challenging, focusing on the little things that bring you joy can be challenging.
However, once you learn to find joy and peace, even in chaos, you’ll go through difficult days feeling less anxious. These are simple ways to discover your list of things that make you.
1 . Practice Mindfulness and Identify personal values
The quickest way to discover things that could bring you joy is by paying attention and living in the moment.
While it’s human to worry about what happens next or tomorrow, being present helps you notice the little things.
For example, the ease you may feel from watching a butterfly suck nectar from a blooming flower after a heavy downpour.
Or the relaxing feeling when you return to a tidy apartment after a long day.
You’ll never know how meaningful these simple pleasures are unless you live in the moment and recognize them.
2 . Reflect on Past Moments You Truly Enjoyed
Think about past moments and memories you truly enjoyed and ask yourself these questions.
- What were you doing?
- Who were you with?
- What is the tinniest thing about that memory that makes you smile?
Answer these questions and Identify common patterns at the moment where you genuinely feel happy.
3. Focus on Simple Pleasures
When you look around, you’ll find daily happiness in pockets of simple daily activities.
However, until you fully embrace these simple pleasures, you’ll continually pursue only the “big things,” and happiness might seem to come to you only “seasonally.”
In reality, you have these pockets of joy around you throughout the day.
Take the time to appreciate small, everyday pleasures such as a warm cup of tea, a gentle breeze, a beautiful sunset, snowfall, holding hands, the soothing flow of water down your body in the shower, journaling, and even the moments when you take off your clothes after a long day.
By appreciating these Little things in your life, you’ll discover moments and memories worth adding to your happiness list.
4 . Connect with Nature
There’s so much to discover in nature that could make you happy.
By spending time outdoors and connecting with nature, you’ll find simple pleasures and little things that spark joy.
This could be taking a walk in the park, gardening, going for an evening run, outdoor yoga, or simple things like heavy downpours at night (one of the things that makes me happy), fresh air, springtime, and blooming flowers.
5 . Keep a Happiness Journal
Another essential step in finding what makes you happy is documenting them using a journal.
Start a journal to record moments when you feel happy or content.
Observe and write the activities, people, or environments that contribute to your happiness.
- When keeping a happiness journal, don’t take any for granted moment, as all are important.
- Be Grateful and Celebrate Every Accomplishment
- Focus on gratitude and embrace a positive mindset.
- Take note of your little wins and celebrate them, no matter how small or big they may be.
By doing these, you’ll have fantastic memories to add to your list of things that make you happy.
Without further ado, here’s a list of things that make me happy and which I find pockets of joy to navigate the chaotic days of life.
100+ Things That Make Me Happy and Could Make You Happy To you
Over time, I’ve learned to truly focus on the little things, and it changed my mindset and motivation to take on each day. I hope they’ll help you find pockets of happiness.
- Back hugs
- Going for an evening walk
- Watching sunset
- Blogging (Yeah, I love sharing helpful self-improvement and lifestyle tips using my blog).
- Facetime with my loved ones
- Traveling.
- Buying a new book
- Waking up early
- Sharing a good banter with my partner
- Trying new recipes
- Listening to good music
- Coming home to everyone organized
- Having self-care showers
- Getting “Cha-Ching” sounds from product sales.
- Eating ice-creams with cones
- Cuddling
- Watching my younger ones create fun memories.
- The smell of fresh, clean clothes (Oddly but satisfying, I love the smell of clean clothes, especially at night wears).
- Going to the movies alone for self-care moments.
- Receiving love letters or texts from my partner.
- Finishing a long day with a Kdrama
- Journaling my thoughts daily.
- When my mom smiles because I got her a present.
- Making a list of things I love about life.
- Being intentional about how I spend my time.
- Going on a food tour around the city.
- Receiving little surprises from my partner.
- Clear counters with clean dishes.
- Doing crazy things with my best friend.
- Fresh sheets (I love the smell of fresh sheets, lol).
- Nights with heavy downpour
- Enjoying my weekly reset day
- Bantering with my dad
- Running barefoot on the beach
- The smell of scented candles
- Holding hands with my partner
- Listening to good podcasts
- Chasing my goals
- Singing in the shower
- Accomplishing my daily task
- Home cooked meals
- Enjoying my lazy Sundays
- Receiving positive feedback from clients
- Warm comments on my blog
- Seeing my business grow
- The feel of the wind on my skin
- Spending the day in bed seeing my favorite shows
- The spark of new beginnings
- Trying again after failing
- The joy of making someone else smile.
- Making passive income
- Visiting a picturesque site
- Gateways at the national parks
- Implementing things I learned and watching them work.
- Running into people walking their dogs
- Sunrise
- Chasing my siblings around the house, laughing.
- Feeling understood
- Smashing big goas
- Knowing I’m loved wholeheartedly.
- Trying new things
- Picking a new hobby
- Discovering new food outlets, and it’s a hit.
- Receiving and giving compliments
- Making passive income online
- Taking a cup of tea early in the morning with total silence.
- Finishing a new book
- Smelling lovely before bed (this comes with having a good night routine).
- Speaking positive affirmations
- Enjoying family traditions
- Finding hidden notes after a long day
- Sitting in the bathtub after a long day.
- Hitting new milestones
- The aroma of something nice in the oven
- Kisses
- A surprise visit by my loved ones
- Cozying up on the couch
- Shopping for new clothing
- Looking over the balcony
- Being hopeful
- A hot cup of chocolates
- Enjoying a delicious shawarma
- Breakfast in bed
- Sticking to a new routine
- Aesthetic decorations
- The feeling of being enough
- Restful sleep
- Solo movie dates
- Enjoying my “me time”.
- Watching kids run around carefree
- Exploring a new city
- Browsing about fonts (This may seem weird, but finding different fonts to play with on Canva makes me happy).
- Meditating
- Finding money in my pocket (This gives me joy)
- Receiving random compliments
- Seeing old couples holding hands
- Receiving painted rocks
- Receiving new journals
- Getting good discounts and coupons
- Eating a healthy meal
- My friends in healthy, happy relationships
- Monthly reset day (I can’t imagine starting a new month without having a reset, as this boosts my mood for the new week).
- Cute pictures of me and my loved ones
- Pedicures and manicures
- Getting a good bargain
- Birthday gifts
- Going camping
- Learning a new skill
- Watching a good game
- New Year family traditions
- Getting a massage
- Discovering a new cafe
- Fun stickers
- Picnics
- Morning cuddles
- The feeling after concluding a big project
- Decluttering
- Sunday brunch
- Weekend Getaways
- Going on staycations
- Foot rubs
- Rediscovering old photos
- Nostalgic memories
- Feeling safe
- Dancing while singing aloud in the shower
- Learning a new language
- Chocolate bars
- Hidden gifts around the house
- Pranking my loved ones
- Little progress in my self-improvement journey
- Cold shower after a hot and long day.
- Building connections
- Quiet and slow mornings
- Flowers
- Sharing a dance with my loved ones
- Beaches
- Laughing hard
- Good comedic movie
- Good love songs
- Sweet fellowships
- The thought of raising a family
- Growing in Faith
- Deep conversations
- Trying new pizza
- Visiting my grandmom
- Dates with my partner
- Planning for the new year
- Practicing self-reflection
- Moon Watching
- Receiving packages at my door
Why Make a List of Things That Make Me Happy?
You may be asking, “Why make a list of things that make me happy when I could have them at heart?”.
Like the list of things I love about life, having a list of things that make me happy serves as motivation and a constant reminder that life is nothing but a fleeting moment.
Instead of fixating on the “Big miracles,” I hope to happen, I should focus on enjoying and savoring simple moments.
Having this happiness list helps me focus on solutions instead of challenges, and reminds me to enjoy my day no matter how tough it gets.
For instance, “If I feel my day is so chaotic, I listen to a good song. And when I feel like a failure in business, I listen to a good inspirational podcast and find new ways to solve my challenges”.
Yes, I have these things at heart, but I can never think about them on the spot.
Journaling and documenting the small things that bring me joy makes cheering myself an “easy” task.
And I believe if you pen down the things that make you happy, it will bring you comfort on days you need a little smile to make a difference, like “I did it before and can do it again.”
Focus on What Makes You Happy
So, what makes you happy? What are those little things that seem crazy or irrelevant to others but give you absolute joy and are an easy-fix motivation for you?
So, here’s my list of things that I find simple pockets of joy in, and I’d love to see yours, too, and maybe I’ll resonate with it.
