On this rainy Thursday, let’s talk about something fun. Artist Moose Allain was feeling out of sorts, so he decided to write a list of small joys on Twitter. A few were “a lovely little puppy” and “the smell of snow” and “finding finally the lost thing.”
Other people then piped up and theirs included “sourdough bread, toasted, with cinnamon sugar,” “lining up groceries very neatly at the checkout” and “pushing the pram over bumpy bits of pavement to make my daughter’s chubby cheeks wobble.” How cute are those?
A few of mine are:
Kissing my children on the side of their mouths
Jacket potatoes
Getting into clean sheets after shaving my legs
The grassy waves at Storm King
The word “peripatetic” because it’s fun to say
Cheeses described as “barnyardy”
A room with a view
When you read something so beautiful, you put your hand on your heart
Magic tricks that are impossible to figure out
Anton’s cowlick
Kettle chips
What would yours be? I’d really love to hear. Also, baby belly laughs!
P.S. How to stay present, and what’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever read?
(Photo by Lena Corwin.)
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– People watching by cafe`
– Watching a crappy movie with friends and having a good laugh
– Catching a light drizzle of rain when it’s sunny
– Riding bike under clouds and blue sky on a breezy day
– Making a perfect cup of tea
– When radio plays favorite songs back to back
– Right after finishing a tough but fulfilling project/task, savoring the moment of contentment
– Mid night city drives with the right company
– Waking up earlier than usual on the weekends
My Infrared Light when the temperature gets chilly
When I’m biking and the light turns green as I get to the intersection so I can keep on rolling without braking.
When I walk into the subway station and my train just arrived so I have enough time to swipe but don’t have to wait at all.
A piece of bread with butter and cheese
When my mama makes my favorite, whether it’s steamed egg or noodles or some sort of amalgamation of leftovers doused in kimchi and avocado.
My favorite condiments. Franks hot sauce. Grainy Mustard. Mayo. Ketchup. Trader Joe’s Everything Bagel Seasoning. Furkikake.
I only wear my watch when I leave the house, and it is such a subtle but important shift in my mood when I walk in the house and take it off for the day.
Oh I loved this so much. How pleasant to just sit and think of happy things. Here are a few of mine:
– the smell of birthday candles, just blown out
– the sound of my husband’s car pulling up after a full day of toddler-wrangling
– hearing the mailman drop a package on my porch
– that soft spot of fur on the side of cats’ ears
– knowing the cake/cookies/bread is done just by the smell of it
– a perfectly ripe avocado at the perfect time
– red wine and popcorn at the end of a long day
– waking up and realizing it’s finally cool enough to wear that favorite sweater
– waking up and realizing it’s finally warm enough to wear flip flops
The smell when you first light a match
Dipping bread in pasta sauce
A truly deep breath
Easing open a champagne bottle so carefully you get a little hiss noise
Getting into bed when the sheets are freshly washed
This is such a fun and heart-warming exercise!
– watching the ocean undulate
– a fresh new book from the library
– a cup of tea that is *just* the right temp
– taking my hair down and shaking it out after a day at work
– waking up and realizing I don’t have to leap out of bed
– the first crack of a fire starting
– an unsolicited hug from a wee one
– the first tomato sandwich of the summer, preferably on sourdough
Sneaking into my babies room before I get into bed to look at his little sleeping body and put another blanket on him.
Sitting down to mend holes in clothing while listening to a good murder podcast
Flipping over stones in the garden for our hen to eat the bugs underneath
A clean and moisturised face
An unexpected and brief baby hug
Seedy bread with olive oil and a long black
Seeing my baby thinking very hard
Observing the names of ships in the port
Rare moments when nobody needs me but myself
– Listening to the faint sound of the fog horn in the distance at my childhood home
– smell of freshly cut grass
– the sound of my dogs drinking water
– the smell of roses/honeysuckle/gardenias/lilacs in the wind
– the sight of a massive harvest moon laying low in the horizon
– a clear, crisp fall night, when you can see the stars
– the feeling of a freshly made bed with freshly shaven legs
– the smell of the ocean
– the smell of the first fall day when someone is burning a fire
– the crackling of fire
– listening to rain hit the roof (even better in a tent)
so many more
-Being outside
-discovering new music and old songs and replaying them on a playlist I create
-Drinking tea when I when I wake up and when I get home from a long day.
-going through old photos
-listening to music with my headphones
-taking a stroll around my neighborhood
-trying different wines
– organizing my closet and planning out outfits
-going to a shoe store (I’m a shoe addict)
-driving around with my friend whIle introducing each other to songs and replayong our favorites
-driving around with no set destination
the way time slows when I hide under a blanket with my 3 year old
the sense of endless opportunity when I’m picking my next book
the salty, earthy smell of my husband after long run
the contrast of sipping a cold beer while taking a hot shower
making the first mark in a new jar of peanut butter
yep, shower beers are A+. have you tried this one? https://www.pangpangbrewery.se/showerbeer
Listening to miles davis while cooking on a summer evening, coasting on my bike, movies all day on a rainy day, sitting in the kitchen with my parents chatting, beers after soccer, nighttime skincare routine, walks, walking to the coffee shop for a latte to go, tv with friends, searching for seashells, reading, singing, my family belting out JC superstar or simon and Garfunkel.
What a nice reflection. I have so many more!
Lazy morning coffee dates with my partner.
Building something with my hands
Really seeing the stars at night
Collaborating on a crossword puzzle
Figuring out an actor’s name or filmography without IMDB
-The smell of wet, hot asphalt after a summer rain
-Runny yolks
-Catching a whiff of the honeysuckles and orange blossoms in my neighborhood during small windows of the year
-My dad’s face when he knows he made a good joke
-Watching my husband let our chihuahua lick boogers out of his nose and sleepies out of his eyes, jostling off his glasses in the process. Every morning. (I know, I don’t know how he stands it, but it makes me love him more)
-Piglets
-The bottom of the carnitas burrito (sorry pigs)
My 6 year old daughter came home after a long day of school and asked if she could have a bath and get into her pjs. Such a lovely act of self care.
Truly clean hair
A new podcast that I’m excited to listen to
When my dog lays his head on my arm/leg/chest/lap
Jeopardy at 7pm
Drinking beer outside
The warmer comforter I put on my bed once it turns fall
Crossing something off my to-do list that’s been on there too long
Buying myself flowers at Trader Joes
Eating at a new restaurant
sneaking back into bed after a shower, when my skin is still slightly damp…YES! i plan on extra time for my shower so I can indulge in this guilty pleasure…with my hair wrapped up in a small linen bathtowel and a new magazine.
Oooh this brought me back. High school, terrible menstrual cramps, super long, hot showers to ease them and then slipping back into bed, slightly damp skin with the towel still on wrapped around my hair. The sleep that followed was always so wonderful.
LOVE this. Narrowed down to my top five.
* the sound and smell of rain through trees
* my toddler’s tiny arms squeezing me with all their might
* sitting and watching the world go by from a cafe
* lying on the floor, eyes closed, losing myself in a REALLY GOOD song
* savoring a croissant dipped in coffee
The fourth one made it onto my list as well-truly moments that make life worth it. I always lie down on the floor when I listen to the finale of the Firebird Suite.
This is the best thread! And such a pleasure to stop and think about:
Kissing wet dog noses
Iced coffee and a book in bed as the sun rises
Tucking into a Pho shop while it’s raining
When a child unexpectedly holds my hand
Sunsets… all of them
That first sip of wine
Big round harvest moons
The smell of citrus
*the little trumpet diddy on “Sunday Morning”
*crawling into clean sheets with a fluffy duvet
*the pasture of horses grazing in the morning light on my way to work
*smell of onions cooking
*copies, still warm from the machine
*the feel of yellow braille paving beneath my feet in flats
*when they’re brewing beer in Portland, and the whole city smells like bread
*when dogs sneeze with excitement
*crumble ice; hard to find & oh so decadent
Unexpectedly finding Mari’s new book at my library this weekend!!!! I sat down immediately on the floor and began flipping through. And of course I checked it out. It made my whole weekend ❤️
Ugh I could go on forever..
My kids telling me they love me.
My kids’ hugs.
A cup of coffee by our pool.
The feeling after a long run.
Cold days outside bundled up with a beer.
Cold winters with hot apple cider.
Leaves crunching under your feet.
Wine by the pool with the hubby.
Ticking things off my to do list.
Waking up before kids and getting myself properly ready for the day , including a made bed and makeup
Getting into a made bed after a long day and he sheets are cold
-the sound of my dog smacking his lips/jowls once he has settled down and is ready to nap
-the perfect crisp on the outside, warm and fluffy on the inside raspberry/rose water scone
-the smell of an old book
– a NY/NJ bagel – so good it tastes better not toasted
-a large iced mint green tea on a hot day (especially good if you have a headache or hangover)
– your first glimpse of a new city from the window of a taxi you’ve taken from the airport
-hot mint tea (+ raw honey) after a long run in cold winter weather
-a hot shower after a cold run!
-savasana!
– knitting in bed with a podcast/netflix on and my dog by my side after a tiring, long day
– sitting in the shade at the dog park, watching 20 doggos play with each other, having the time of their lives
-New mcdonalds chain that opens near where i live
-when dogs that ive never met before wants to play with me
-watching romcoms wrapped in layers of blanket while its raining heavily outside
-laughing at ridiculous, probably childish and inappropriate jokes
-watching a movie by myself at the cinema
-a friendly hug
Waking up to a sunny day
Making someone laugh
Chai tea
Snuggling up to a good book
freshly ironed pjs
a hot shower at the end of a cold day
watermelon in season
Little joys….
* getting into bed after a particularly busy day with bare skin and clean sheets
* padding around the house barefoot in a t-shirt and undies on a Saturday morning.
* sitting by the wood stove with a book on a cold, wintery night.
* when my girls and I have a fun, drama free day of sight seeing or shopping
* the perfect pair of tight fitting jeans
* the brief moment when my house is acceptably clean, the lights are low and a candle is burning.
* stopping by my parents house to visit and make them laugh with stories about my life
Finishing a good book
Taking a bite out of a freshly-baked cookie or brownie
Watching or reading something online that makes me laugh out loud
Catching one of my favorite movies on TV—always a thrill even if I know everything can be played on demand these days
Reading new blog entries from my fave reads <3
Catching one of my favourite movies on TV…Yes!!!!
Today, I finally brought clothes I had for months, even up to a year, to the seamstress to have them altered. I’m petite and dresses I usually buy online or in store don’t fit me well. With the daily mothering of two little boys, having my clothes altered was definitely not a priority. But this afternoon, I grabbed my older boy and headed to the seamstress. You have no idea the happiness that came over me as the lady pinned needles into the fabric of each dress. I even texted my hubby to tell him how happy I was. Finally, I am no longer stuck in a mummy clothing rut. And in two weeks, i’ll have 6 pretty and fitted dresses to look forward to!
– My son’s smile when I come home from work
– My son’s laughter
– Finding out that I brought my charger with me
– Seeing an empty parking space in a parking lot
– Hugging my husband in the morning
– Cold shower after a dusty day
pulling the curtains back to let daylight in in the morning
the silence in the moment my friend and i are both laughing so hard we’re not breathing
sunlight through a leaf on an evening stroll
the body feeling of singing a full well-rounded tone, even if for just one note
ricotta, on pancakes or pasta or pizza
Homeschooling in PJ’s
The beautiful rose pink color of my watch
My cat curled on my made bed as I head out for the day
A fried egg on a keto bun before bed and knowing it won’t make me gain weight
Wind before a Florida storm
My youngest putting her hand on my arm while she is sleeping next to me
My husband telling my son that he needs to stop playing video games in a minute so that mommy can have the TV
Making soap
A cup of tea at my mom’s house
Dinner out with my sister
A clean house (the best ever) and walking barefoot on the wood floors without getting bits on my feet
Petting my cats fluffy belly
Watching my teen daughter grin a joyful braces smile
Kissing my son on his forehead to say goodnight, melts my heart
Homeschool art class
Cat ear headband on my youngest
The sound of my keyboard as I type
These comments are everything right now! Here goes:
~ Getting the giggles with my 9 year old girl
~ Wine, olives and cheese on the back porch with my husband
~ A snuggly blanket right out of the dryer in winter
~ An amazing estate sale treasure
~ Quiet house, hot coffee and a new magazine
~ The PERFECT jeans
~ Calling my dad
– watching my 12year old take care of his brothers
– my 9 year olds unique voice
– my 1 year old’s face against my chest
– sleeping in
– the smell of fall
– a clean house
– smell of coffee first thing in the
morning
– climbing into bed after a long drive home and grateful that we made it safely.
– clean sheets
– room slightly cold while under a thick comforter
+ The dorito smell of my dog’s feet’s
+ Lighting candles on a rainy day
+ The way butter melts into a warm muffin
+ Sleeping baby schooshed mouths
+ Falling asleep to thunder
+ Catching a pretty reflection of yourself in perfect low light
omg dogs feet do smell like doritos! never thought of that
Outdoor showers in the summer, preferably with my husband.
Dog snuggles.
The smell of my neighbors lilac tree when its blooming.
The first flip-flop day after a long winter.
Being with my friends who knew me before I had kids.
Letting my husband carry my bag at the airport.
Making my kids laugh.
Seeing my kids perform in school plays.
These lists are wonderful!
For me:
Weekend mornings when my husband makes coffee
Being on vacation and not having to cook, and clean
My daughter’s face when she laughs
When I finish an assignment really well
Masala chai and crispy fritters on a rainy afternoon
Listening to my husband’s grandparents recount their history and decades long love story, the perfect cup of tea where cream and sugar is in the proper ratio, when people can’t help but laugh at your punchline, the look on a child’s face when they master a new skill, my husband’s face when he has pulled off a surprise, freshly baked bread, and soft puppy kisses when you are sad.
The moment you realize some simple, little thing is giving you pleasure.
When the air is so still in the morning, the leaves on the trees are silent. My husband says, “They’re having their coffee before striking up the day’s conversation.”
Starting a campfire at dusk.
The steady warmth on the back of my daughter’s neck.
Watching an orchid blossom bloom over the course of a single morning.
Crying while reading. (Last week it was Jodi Picoult’s “Small Great Things.”)
A full chest of air in a redwood or pine forest.
When the ocean breeze picks up in the afternoon, rendering the leaves on the trees into a river of whispers.
I could go on and on but now I want to read everyone’s comments!
Just a PSA for those who may, like me, think at first that a jacket potato is just a baked potato with a more British name. Because I decided to try that technique and am here to testify: jacket potatoes are not just a baked potato! they are BETTER!!!!
ok. as you were.
My friend thought this was a potato you’d put in your jacket pocket “in case you need a snack on a long walk”
hahahahahaha that is amazing!
Responding to Anna,
My mother tells me stories about her mother who, when she was a kid growing up in Boston, used to take just baked potatoes to school in her jacket in the winter to 1. Keep her warm and 2. keep her fed.
1. Long summer nights and the warmth of the sun on my skin
2. Eating delicious food
3. A nice warm, cup of tea
4. A good hair day!
5. The colourful autumn foliage and cool,crisp autumn air
6. Rainy days
7. A good book
8. Beautiful lines of poetry that stirs your heart and soul
9. Cuddles from pets
10. When you can sense the gaze of the person you like on you
11. A night sky full of stars
Just simply talking to my husband about how my day went – is my ultimate simple pleasure. I look forward to it at the end of every single day after work. After I remarried after my husband died – I realized that just the simple pleasures in life are cause for gratitude.
This is beautiful <3 Sorry for your loss, may his memory be a blessing.
This is fun!
– first glimpse of the ocean after a long period away (Midwesterner ;))
– warm dinner rolls with salted butter
– laughing with friends over dinner about nothing and everything
– making a stranger smile and/ or feel “seen”
– that first step into my mom’s house where I’ll always feel at home
– summer sun + swimming in cold water
I love when the snow has made a blanket covering my neighborhood and muffles all sound to where the silence becomes the loudest thing you can hear. And on snowy nights when the light of the moon reflects on the falling snow to illuminate the sky just a little more, and the silence resonates all round you, and you feel like there isn’t a more perfect place or a more perfect moment.
– The silky feel of my dog’s ears
– The feel of any dog’s ears
– The ritual of making coffee
– The first page of a new book I’ve been really looking forward to
– Soup. Pretty much all soups.
– Breathing in frankincense from the oil diffuser
– My husband’s dimples
Hearing people hum or sing softly in public when they think no one else is listening.
My daughter’s little open mouth when she sleeps.
Walking over the soft rug in our hallway while barefoot.
Eating a sample cheese at the grocery store cheese counter.
i’m always happy when the nutty breadstick free sample bin at Whole foods has a treat it in! i’m like a dog that way.
Catching a sweet moment between my kiddos
How sunlight pours into our front hall in the early morning
That first sip of coffee after a long night up with the baby
That first sip of wine when the babies are asleep ;)
– When I step into a museum room filled with impressionist art
– When I step into a new city for the first time
– When I visit home and I hug my mom every time we enter the same room, just because
– Eating pasta and cheese
– The sound of a guinea pig wheeking
– When I make eye contact with a child in public and we share a smile
Crisp of a green apple during a bite
Great drum beats
When people lean forward when they laugh
That feeling of being star struck in front of a big bold oil painting
That feeling of wonder when you learn something new
Tons of wind at the top of a mountain
all of these !
A perfectly made cup of tea.
Snuggles with my nieces and nephews.
A tight, love-filled hug.
Getting into a freshly made bed.
Making someone laugh so hard they can’t breathe.
Coming home after a weekend brunch, and taking a nap * bonus points if it’s raining .
Re-directing a Childs bad behavior, and it worked.
Spring rain when it smells like worms .
Getting to the heart of the artichoke.
Sitting in Mass and feeling your heart get all warm.
• coming home to your own bed after a long trip
• when the song that’s been stuck in your head comes on the radio!!!
• coaxing a smile out of a stranger
• laughing so hard you can’t quite catch your breath
• when the free sample at the grocery store is something you love, like guacamole or fancy cheese
1. Holding my coffee in both hands.
2. Books I can’t put down.
3. Hugging a large dog.
4. Forehead kisses.
5. Plant shadows
6. Meals that don’t mess up the kitchen.
7. Sister inside jokes
1. The sound pasta makes when you stir sauce through it.
2. Sunshine on water.
3. Reuniting my little boy with his feet by taking off his sleeping bag first thing in the morning.
4. Saying something I know will make my husband chuckle.
5. Moving my desk from seated to standing.
Oooh. I love this so! Here are a few of mine:
Nursing baby breath, the way it smells like mozzarella cheese before they start solids
A really nice glass of wine – at lunch!
My daughter singing to herself in the bath
Slow mornings with fresh espresso
An unexpected foot rub
Getting a cheap pedicure when you’re supposed to be running errands
I live on the coast and love getting an unexpected glimpse of the Pacific Ocean while driving
Listening to my kids laughing with/ at each other in the back seat of the car
A good long chat with a dear friend – that can fill you up for weeks
Spooning with the hubs in bed while we wait for our four year old to come “wake” us up
Wind gently blowing sheer curtains in the early evening
The sound of a train in the distance
Listening to the rain at night – in souther California this is SO rare, it’s hard not to get excited
-Finding what I’m looking for in my purse on the first try
Love this!
-watching my kids play in the rain
-when my hair looks good both pulled back and down on the same day
– when I forget my grocery list at home and still remember everything on it
1. Putting my face into my children’s hair and smelling…
2. Rubbing my daughter’s back at bedtime
3. When it’s so quiet that I can hear my children’s breath as they sleep
4. The way my lawn looks when it’s freshly mowed
5. Every time Jack from This Is Us talks about his wife
6. No Homework
7. Rain at twilight on a warm summer night when the fog is out
8. When the wind blows autumn leaves across the street
9. How dark tree bark gets when it rains in the fall
10. That deep sleep you get after meditating.
So awesome. I’d add: the beautiful swirls the cream makes when you pour it into your iced coffee
Returning to a favorite place after many years and finding it THE SAME
Being a total dork with my husband
When you finish a good book and you just have to pause in reverence
Hearing funny, sweet memories of my mom, who died in 2002
When you try on a shoe and you just know you will be friends (I have weird feet so this is a BIG DEAL)
Traveling with no agenda and finding yourself having the most random/amazing day that you could never have planned
When you make it to the store right before it closes
And outdoor showers after a sweaty day as you look forward to dinner outside when it’s that perfect not-too-hot temperature. Bliss.
I love the swirls of cream in iced coffee!! I always think about how my Grandma would say “kindness expands the very second you release it” and I imagine how small, kind acts might unfurl and grow around us in that very same way
Waking up on a weekend morning and walking out the door, with no purpose other than to take a walk. No rushing for work, no makeup, no need to make a train, no meetings. Just a nice long walk. Truly no better start to any day.
Though struggling with depression, these comments are lifting my heavy spirit . I’ll definitely be returning to this list; thank you, Cup of Jo community, for these sweet reminders.
– cold rose
– listening to LPs bought for super cheap, like little disgarded treasures
– hummingbirds sipping from my porch feeder
– a shirt washed a 1000x to peak softness
– cut fresh flowers
-hearing the garage door open when my husband is coming home late from work
-dipping my finger into a fresh new jar of face cream
– a weeks worth of laundry folded and put away
– the smell of apple pie baking in the oven
– the sound of fallen leaves crunching under foot
– my nieces running to see me when i get to their house
– a hot bath with epsom salt
– picking and eating tomatoes from the greenhouse
– the secret smile you share on the commute with someone else
– Paul McCartney’s count in to I saw you standing there
– the smell of salt when we open the car door on arriving in Cornwall for the annual trip
– a text from my father with a question in it
– autumnal colours borrowed from food and wine: claret, mustard, cavolo nero coloured green
– seeing someone quietly, unconsciously take on board some advice and find success with it
– cuddling my friend’s children, even while they’re distracted with other things
– taking your earrings out/false eyelashes off when you get home from a party
– that moment that someone you like says something and you can’t help but yelp “no way, me too” and you cannot conceive of the coincidence that you could like them and you could both like that thing. Every time.
– obvs fresh sheets – I’m not an animal
– zesting a lemon
– walking past your house when it’s full of people and feeling so blessed (e.g Christmas Eve getting something from the car)
– the clock at Liverpool Lime St station
– blossom in North Oxford in the spring
1,2,3,4!!!!
Love it too :)
-eating a ripe peach over the kitchen sink
-singing in the car to the top of your lungs
-the comforting weight of the quilts on the bed at my moms house
-fried egg sandwiches late at night
-watching my dog roll around on the grass
-seeing ladybugs
-a cold beer after yardwork
-rainy Saturday afternoons
EATING A RIPE PEACH OVER THE KITCHEN SINK!! Yes! I call that “drinking a peach”.
Yes to all of these! Number 3 actually made me cry and think of my grandmother and her bed with layers upon layers of quilts. Thank you for reminding me!
I love the idea of listing these simple joys in life.. Here’s a few:
-watching the leaves turn in the early Fall
-the deep purple gleam of the eggplants growing in my garden
-perfectly ripe peaches
-the peace and quiet of having both kids at birthday parties on a Saturday afternoon ; )
-our kitten curled up in a box on my desk as I work
-when my daughter reaches for my hand when we’re walking in the woods
When my partner reaches to cuddle me in his sleep.
Feeling the pulse of the city as I walk to work.
Friends who don’t need an invitation.
The first cool breezes of fall.
Seeing a new bud on a house plant and recognizing that I have not killed it.
Going to a new coffee shop where not even the barista recognizes me.
Going to a familiar coffee shop where the barista recognizes me.
The first taste of a fruit in season.
Waking up just before my alarm.
Reading the comments from all of you lovely people that make me feel a little less alone, and a little more present.
“Friends who don’t need an invitation.” – A lovely thought that is also well said.
1. seeing the moon in the daytime.
2. spraying my car windows with washer fluid.
The scent of honeysuckle or jasmine while on a walk
The feel of a horse’s velvety nose
The smell of my babies—especially after waking up, after playing outside, or after a bath
The smell of birthday cake baking in the oven (and yes, birthday cake smells better than regular cake)
Dancing your butt off without inhibition
A really good book that you look forward to snuggling up and reading later
The warmth of the sun on my skin after a long winter
Espresso (the smell, taste, everything really)
The smell of snow in the air before it snows
Baking chocolate chip cookies on a rainy, gloomy day
Fluffy towels right out of the dryer after a shower
Seeing old friends
Wonderful post and comments! Mine are in no particular order:
– Fresh cut grass scent
– Silent home in the early morning
– Golden hours (preferably with a drink and crooners song)
– First sip of wine / drink at date night
– Coffee and reading time in the morning
– My son’s laugh
– Watching my fiance when he cooks
– Fresh sheets on friday night
– Hearing unexpectly a favorite song on the radio
– Gilmore girls opening song
– Falls leaves
– Stepping into my house after a long day at the office … the comfort of home
– Forest walk
– Fresh flowers in my home
– Warm sweater and socks in the winter
– Nap with my fiance in the afternoon
– Rosy cheeks from the cold
– Watching a big snow/rain storm from my window
– The moment of a holiday party or dinner with family/friends you look around and realize that everyone is having fun…
– The moment I stepped out my last exam class of the semester at college
– Hearing cute, particulary british, accent
– Driving or just be in the car on a sunny afternoon on a long road with no traffic
– Hearing a song / smelling something who remind me of my childhood
– The smile of my son when I first enter his room on the morning
– Starting a good book
You must listen to the podcast “Dispatch to a friend” … Two best friends read letters they have written to each other about the simple joys of their days/lives. Things they have cooked, their gardens and funny stories from their day to day lives.
I have just had a baby and instead of scrolling through my phone in the middle of the night while feeding, I have been listening to this podcast and it feels like a warm hug during what can be a beautifully exhausting and sometimes lonely time.
Oof, sharing these are my favourite!! Sooo good!!!
Some of mine:
– how my husband sticks out his elbow when I sit next to him — on planes, at the movies, driving — so I can tuck my arm in, put my hand on his thigh and have a micro snuggle
– farm fresh soft boiled eggs with buttered white toast soldiers
– checking on my plants and stroking their new leaves
– sliding on my engagement and wedding rings
– repeating silly sayings and words with my parents that my nephew/their grandson says
– the recipe you know by heart because it’s so comforting and easy and delicious
– the gulp of emotion when I hear some of the most precious songs
– the smell of rain on tarmac on summer days — steamy and hot and refreshing
– smiles with strangers and the mutual wave of thanks while driving
– waking up to the rain and then snuggling down to go back to sleep with my honey
– new shoes and a new vintage dress worn together at the same time!
– matte red lip stick — always and forever
– late night, post-date night dinner snack runs
Thanks so much for kicking this off, COJ! So much love for all of you! xx
1. sunlight streaming in through windows, I especially enjoy when this happens while taking a bath, making the water look so pretty. Even better if there is swaying movement in the shadows it creates.
2. Seeing hot air balloons in the sky
3. Tree lined streets
4. When grocery stores or eateries play music I grew up with and love
5. Favorite new tea
6. Hot bath with lavender salt scrub, how soft I feel after
7. Smiling at strangers or when they smile at me
8. Laying on the floor on my tummy and having one of my kids lay on my back
9. Lady bugs
10. Surprising people with little gifts
11. Waking up on the weekend to the smell of bacon…..
– A meteor shower
– Kids making faces at me in another car
– Finding seasonal item back in stock at Trader Joe’s
– Sending & receiving snail mail
– A wave or smile from a baby that I don’t know
– Hearing a fave song from my youth on the radio
– Hockey hugs when my team scores (Go Caps!)
– Singing along to the Hamilton soundtrack & instantly snapping myself out of a salty mood
– Looking through an old box of photos or memorabilia
– Finding a forgotten about piece of clothing in the back of the closet or bottom of the dresser
This post & the comments are so fun! Here’s a few of mine:
1. A fountain pop
2. How excited my sweet pup is to see me when I get home.
3. A hug from my hubby, he gives the best hugs!
4. When you’re traveling to a place you love and the plane is descending, and you get that “home” feeling.
5. Cheering for my football team.
6. Sending & receiving holiday cards.
7. Belly laughs.
8. A perfectly toasted marshmellow.
i keep a note in my phone called “my favorite things” (copyrighting that super original title) so i can remind myself of these tiny moments of happiness. recent joys:
– super carbonated diet coke from a soda fountain
– flaky salt
– the smell of wood fire
– seeing movies on fall sunday evenings
– espresso at the end of a meal out
– the smell of my puppy
1. Laughing with my brother and sister
2. Crawling into bed at night
3. The smell of black coffee
4. A new book and nothing to do
5. The first crisp days of fall & having all the windows open
6. Sunday afternoon naps
Wow, “a new book and nothing to do” => YES!!
– sneaking back into bed after a shower, when my skin is still slightly damp
– not doing the things know I should be doing, and instead sinking deeper into a good book
– declining invitations and enjoying missing out
– slowly learning the art of ‘no’
– the quiet pride of not saying ‘sorry’ when I’m not sorry
– enjoying a quiet solo moment with a good newspaper in a calm cafe
– climbing into bed in clean sheets and fresh pyjamas
– admiring the colour of herbal tea against the cup
– wearing something to work that is true to me, despite living an office life
– unplugging from devices
– writing and receiving letters by snail mail
– sharing a knowing smile with another patient stranger on public transport
– gently cultivating manners in the public domain.
sneaking back into bed after a shower, when my skin is still slightly damp…YES! i plan on extra time for my shower so I can indulge in this guilty pleasure…with my hair wrapped up in a small linen bathtowel and a new magazine.
Freshly shaved legs + sheets at night. You read my mind!
-library dust jackets + finishing the book club book early
-having a beer and listening to a podcast while cooking
-the texture of ice cream when it just starts to melt
-secretly exchanging immature GIFs during a meeting w/ someone else in the room
-Reaching into a purse that has just been cleaned out and feeling like master of my domain
Cooking with a beer and a podcast or good audio book is my fav!
-The smell of coffee in the morning
-Sand under my toes at the beach
-kissing my baby’s (clean) bottom
-counting baby toes
-fresh flowers at the farmers market every saturday morning
-walking on wet grass in the morning
-napping on a saturday afternoon
-having homecooked food while on vacation
– Feeling my baby girl hiccup and turn and kick and stick her butt up as she grows ever bigger in my belly (seven more weeks to go!).
– The way my sweet pup, who was just diagnosed with malignant melanoma, prances and dances and skips and can’t even handle herself when she realizes we’re about to go for a walk.
– The smell of baking bread and fresh basil.
– How my husband and I always reach for each other’s hands on walks.
– Remembering nicknames: how my grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s and no longer knows who I am or who she is, called me Doll Baby. How my dearly departed grandfather called me Sugar (but in his North Carolina accent, it sounded like “Shuggah”). How my dearly departed Uncle Steve called his wife Sweets.
– The sound of rain on the tin roof of my in-law’s cabin in the Texas Hill Country.
– Finding sea glass on the beach.
Climbing into my bed with clean sheets after a long shower. Hearing the rain at night. Turning off the highway and onto a back road on my way home from work. Holding my husband’s hand. Snuggling with my dog on the couch while watching a movie. Falling asleep during the football game on Sunday afternoon. Shutting off the t.v. and sitting in complete silence. Finishing a good book and feeling like I’ve made a new friend or two. Laughing so hard I cry.
Loving this post so much. Thanks, Joanna!
-Balmy evenings lying on crisp sheets with a fan going
-That first evening of the year when you can sit outside at a restaurant in a tank and not be chilly or too hot
-being somewhere far from anywhere and looking up at the stars
-the excitement of finding your seat on a plane when headed on an exotic vacation
-when my baby rests her forehead against mine
-when my six year old, or 2 year old or husband reaches for my hand
-the smell of a forest, especially after it has rained
These are some of my very same simple pleasures! Did you know that the smell after rain has a name? It’s called “Petrichor” – isn’t that a gorgeous word?!
the first coffee of the day• watching the sunrise• when my dog lays on my back • the felling after swimming on very cold water• long showers• driving with your best friend• kissing someone for the first time• riding a horse• walking when the streets are empty• that buzz from having a beer on an empty stomach • planting something and watching it grow• smelling jasmin• dog kisses• laying in the warm sunshine• the scent from fresh laundry
-My husband making a pot of tea that’s thick with honey.
-Pulling back the covers of my bed at night, thankful I took the time to make it that morning.
-the excited and desperate laugh/plea when a breastfed baby realizes milk is imminent.
-thunderstorms at night.
-when summer collapses into fall and it seems as everyone takes a collective exhale.
– pancakes for breakfast.
– waking up in a tent, too cozy under the comforter to brave crawling out into the cold mountain air.
-that split second when your child collapses into sleep and their body becomes heavy and limp.
– walking out of the humid community pool into the crisp evening air; stiffening your wet hair.
-that feeling of being someone’s comfort and safety; especially to your own child.
And so, so many more precious and perfect moments in life.
Oh Whitney! So many of these are on my list, too! My husband makes the best honey tea and yes to the breastfed baby and to being the source of comfort to our children. Wonderful.
Love these so much. And oh my goodness I thought only my baby did that laugh-cry thing while I’m getting out my breast! It sounds to me like “oohhh mama, thank youuu!”
Oh, you’ve captured these moments so beautifully!
Going for a walk under the trees.
A cup of tea in the late afternoon with a spoonful of honey and a dash of almond milk.
Applying red lipstick and then smudge-ing it out a bit, even if I’m just at home or going to the grocery store.
Opening windows early in the morning and late in the evening to let that fall air in.
These comments are restoring my faith in humanity. I share many of the simple pleasures already listed (and this has inspired me to keep a running list) but I wanted to add:
– skinny dipping at night, especially in a lake
– having a nap while listening to the Jim Dale Harry Potter audio books
I love skinny dipping at night! We used to skinny dip every summer in a warm lagoon under the silvery moonlight. It was magic.
It made me smile to know someone else loves the Jim Dale Harry Potter books! When I was younger my mom used to play them in the car. Now as an adult I listen to them all the time, it feels like a hug from an old friend.
Patisserie – a book weaving its way into my travel memories – walking down a beach with stones, driftwood and sand underfoot, looking towards the hills and mountain – books that I read as a child – companionable silence – a cup of tea – spending time with family – being lost in a book
When I come home from work, and my boys run down the path to hug me so hard they almost knock me over. Those faces, arms, and wild hair will be forever etched on my heart.
The smell of the first rain after a long dry spell. • Biting into a ripe, juicy nectarine. • Flour tortilla chips and housemade salsa from my favorite Mexican restaurant back home. • Saturday afternoon naps. • Multicolored clouds on the horizon at sunrise or sunset. • Seeing the Big Dipper when I look up at night. • Cool, salty ocean breezes. • Warm, thick valley breezes. • Fuzzy blankets. • Big hugs from old friends.
-sitting down on the couch in a pool of warm lamplight, kids (truly) in bed, lunches packed, bourbon splashed on clinking ice in a weighty crystal tumbler, window open, fall-tinged, wet-earth night air pouring in, untouched magazine awaiting. Ahhhhhh.
THIS
How lovely! I want to play!
Lounging around in the warm sunshine, especially with a drink and a place to swim, my kids’ cute little summer tan-lined booties, freshly washed linens, little moments when I remember how smoking hot and sweet my husband is, burrata cheese, oh gosh, how refreshing to think I could list so many more
The clink of an ice cube in a glass of rose
Crescent moons
Elastic-waist pants
Tiny hands on both my cheeks
Fruit picked straight from the tree or bush
Flowy ink pens
Springy toddler curls
Staying up late to finish a good book
The sound of rain while you’re tucked in bed
Fantastic post!!! Here are some of my simple pleasures in no particular order of importance:
– The smell after rain
– Leaves and flowers with dew
– Fall colours
– Morning-office-coffee chat
– Thank-you notes
– Sunsets
– Fog
– Being in love with a great man
– Fresh baked bread
– Knitting
– Looming scarves while watching hockey
– Baking cookies
– Listening to the Bee Gees
– Going back to my home country and enjoying all the fruits I cannot have in my second home country
– Iceland and everything about it
– Re-reading the last paragraphs of The Fountainhead every time I feel hopeless and in need of cheering myself up
– Keeping the faith
– Being surrounded by an amazing group of girlfriends
– Laughing out loud
– And last, but not least, reading to the Comments section of new and old Cup of JO’s posts (this is actually becoming part of my daily reading routine and I find my day is not complete if I have not read them. I learn so much from so many interesting people all over the world.)
– Typing as fast as the wind with freshly trimmed fingernails.
– Taking out your contacts when your eyes are dry — instant relief!
– Toasted bread that’s not too hard and warm enough to perfectly soften almond/peanut butter.
– Seeing that a long-awaited movie is available on Netflix!
– The doorbell that says your food delivery has arrived!
– When you’re joking and cracking up with your friends in public, and see a stranger smiling/laughing quietly with (at??) you guys.
– When you’ve been busting your butt in a workout class and you finally hear the instructor say, “Okay, let’s cool it down now…”
Oh these are so lovely. At this point in my life, I think most of my simple pleasures are derived from my kiddos . . . and Breyer’s mint chip. Some:
–When my baby smells all milky and baby-like and gives me a face-bursting grin
–When big sister screams “Mommy!” excitedly when I get home from work
–Pumping whole-ounce amounts . . . and finishing that last pump of the day
–Making iced tea at my desk
–Feeling spray from the fountain blow against my face on the walk to work
–Sneaking in time to read a book
–Foam on top of my coffee
–Reaching for my husband’s hand in the middle of the night
–And, always and forever, sweatpants
Finishing a book
First sip of coffee
Fresh notebook/agenda
Discovering and listening to a favourite song for the first time!
Booking that plane ticket
Unexpected snuggles from my quiet dog
Visiting CupofJo and seeing new posts ;)
Clean body, clean sleep vest and tee-shirt, getting into a bed with all clean linen.
Sneaking down to the freezer at 4 in the morning to get a magnum, (belgium chocolate covered vanilla ice-cream lolly) and going back to a warm bed to eat it.
First time you put on the electric blanket for the winter.
View over the Dornoch Firth from the bridge going to work.
Remembering to keep the door closed on my very small bathroom, so it is toasty warm in the evening, when the hall is baltic.
Executing a really good parallel park.
My sisters calling me “my lovely”.
My mutti saying “good night, God bless”.
Waiting for the Portmahomack lighthouse across the Firth to blink twice before getting into my car.
The first russet apples of the season.
Hearing bagpipe and fiddle practice in the background when I’m visiting primary schools.
Making an ordinary cup of tea and it turning out to be exceptional.
Saving the well cooked fat on a sirloin steak until last, because it’s the best bit.
Making stick blender mayo and it being so thick you can stand a spoon up in it.
A friend saying my name with pleasure.
Playing with my niece and nephew’s hair.
Typing fast and with accuracy.
Scotland!
Thanks for taking me to Scotland!
Hi from Scotland too! (i’m in Edinburgh). Those are some of my favourite things too! Also, looking over to Edinburgh from the beaches in Fife.
I used to live in Edinburgh, so many of these things fied my heart with warm nostalgia. Thank you.
Reading this makes me happy
Just the process of sitting down and thinking of mine was so relaxing.
– Clean sheets, especially w/ freshly shaved legs
– An empty kitchen trash can with a new bag
– Singing “Take me out to the Ballgame” at the 7th inning stretch at a baseball game (at the top of your lungs)
– Making all the green lights on your most-traveled thoroughfare
– A cold beer in a hot shower
– When my little boys “wrap me up” with their arms and legs like little monkeys and really HUG me
– When cats freak out and tear ecstatically around the house for no apparent reason
– Diaper butts in footie jammies
yes to a cold beer in the shower!
My friend calls that cat-run the “zoomies” and I crack up just hearing it called that!
Diaper butts are THE best! Especially when little ones have just learned to walk…
the weekend
hearing any song from a john hughes film
my children’s sleeping faces
the first sip of coke and when that fizzle hits your nose
the ocean smell
stretchy pants
Yes!
-my 6 month old baby’s perfect tiny feet (and really everything else about her)
-a glass of Kim Crawford
-golden hour
-when my husband pulls into the driveway after work (especially on a Friday)
-getting out of the car in the mountains and breathing in the fresh crisp air
-looking forward to a vacation
-the first dip into the ocean when the saltwater coats your skin
-when it stays light out til 10pm in the summer
-watching our dog play in the snow
already in a better mood!!
This is just what I needed today, exhausted after a week of illness and a sick baby and juggling work schedules–these lists are all so lovely. Thank you, so much.
–the silent, mouth-opening motion, so full of trust, my sleepy baby makes, wanting one last sip
–that freshness you feel, even sitting inside at a desk, when fall is in the air
–my husband in glasses
–the gentle lap, lap, lap of water against a sailboat, when the wind has died and you drift, utterly relaxed, on a fiberglass hammock
–a kitchen with everything put away and nothing on the counters
–waking up late, with nowhere to be, on a Saturday morning
–an orchestra warming up and tuning, before a concert
This concept has been with me all day, and I just now have a moment while all three of my children nap to write them down…
– the sound of my newborn’s first latch and two sucks
– the sight of my toddler’s bare bum as he runs to put his dirty diaper in the trash
– the feel of my husband’s lips on the nape of my neck
– the taste of the combination of Cherry Coke Zero and Trader Joe’s dark chocolate covered pretzel thins
– the smell of the bread aisle at the grocery store
Okay, I’m going to throw this out there in full Brene-Brown-embrace-the-vulnerability-style: When your body cooperates and delivers (quite literally) the perfectly timed morning constitution that leaves you feeling five pounds lighter and ready to tackle whatever the day throws your way. Anybody else with me on this simple pleasure of life?
Hahaha YES! When that happens I’m always like “yep, this will be a good day. “
OMG YES. And your stomach looks flatter? Like you just did 100 crunches?
Oh, ABSOLUTELY.
SJ – haha, yes! That moment is wonderful because it’s so fleeting.
Lisa – I’ve thought the exact same thing after a great morning BM. Haha!
:raised hand emoji: :salsa dancer emoji:
also, “constitution” lol.
Hahaha YES. Amen to this!
YES! Being pregnant, I am missing out on this magical moment and I am excited for when it comes back #itsthesmallthings
Made me laugh! Yes I’m with you, a good way to start the day all cleaned out!
Yes! I thought about posting this but was too lazy to try to figure out a nice way to say it. I’m an endoscopy RN and know the importance of staying regular and eating enough fiber. It is my simple pleasure to stay regular and I’m just as happy to see my family stay regular as well. :D
Haha, a good poo in the morning is SO satisfying. (Also, thanks coffee.)
You are the best , Brittany.
*morning constitutional
Well this is just the most delightful post. I found myself searching for small pleasures everywhere after I read it. A few: The way my 3-year-old absentmindedly smells her baby brother’s head; how she calls underpants “undie-wears”; that feeling when you really nail whatever it is you’ve cooked/baked; the perfect amount of crunchy sea salt on a chocolate chip cookie; making your coffee JUST RIGHT; that early evening/magic hour light coming through the trees; when you don’t notice that your hiccups have gone away and then like an hour later it occurs to you- they’re gone, hooray! And last, when my dad mails NYT articles (hard copies) from NY to me in London.
– That moment you wake up and realize it’s Saturday
– Allowing your hair dry naturally knowing you have zero place to be
– Cotton candy clouds
– Sitting Indian style
– That first sip of coffee
– Sparking conversation with your cashier
– Sweet dogs that climb into your lap
– My sweet nephews
– Scooping batter out of a bowl with a scraper
– The smell of eucalyptus
– Stars
Cutting vegetables is so satisfying.
I always take the long(er) way to work because I drive through one of the most beautiful roads in New England. When I get to work, I walk to my office the long way because I walk down the hallway with floor to ceiling windows.
I always go for the beauty, even if it takes longer.
Also, seeing my children sleep, and plums! and clean, folded laundry!
Taking off my work clothes as soon as I get home
Getting a haircut
That sweet baby smell
A beautiful Tennessee sunset
Going barefoot
Live music in the outdoors
All of these comments are so lovely.
Here are some of mine:
a cozy night in
finding a great bargain
the sweet, milky smell of a newborn’s breath
warm wool-y socks on a cold day
when you light the candles
when my ten year boy old holds my hand
the feeling you get when you do something nice/unexpected for someone
when all the laundry is done and put away
Glancing at rain falling while sitting beside the window.
A hot cup of morning tea.
Long walks in the woods.
Walking bare foot on green grass.
watching the waves rise and fall and the stunning sunset.
Fresh aroma of home baked banana bread.
Heart to heart talks and laugh with my best friend.
Reminiscing about old times with my school friends gang.
Relaxing at home .
Watching starts and planets .
These are some of the moments in which I find immense pleasure and the list goes on and on ….
– sudden summer rain showers when the sun shines through the rain
– late September when the monarchs migrate through Oklahoma, where I live. Their wings resemble dazzling little orange kites against the crisp blue sky.
– when my tiny cat wants to snuggle immediately after I step out of the shower, wrapped in a towel
– my niece’s wide smile – a constant delight
– the hush brought by a blanket of snow
– watching succulents grow
– heirloom tomatoes fresh from the vine
-the sound of my beagle’s tail wagging at the foot of my bed as soon as she hears me wake up in the morning
-that three minute window when my latte is the perfect temperature
-when I pick up my phone to call my mom and she calls at that exact moment
-pulling a perfectly baked pie out of the oven
-popping the cork on a bottle of champagne
– hearing my baby daughter’s gulps when she nurses
– the pitter patter of my four year old son’s steps when he runs to his room with a novel idea
– the section of a pizza slice right before the crust
– the sound of a can of diet coke opening
– feeling my husband’s beard against my neck when he leans down to hug me
– the smell of the ocean on a gray day
“The section of pizza slide right before the crust ” — I’ve never before felt so sure that there are soulmates ;)
The first shower after a hair cut
OMG YES
–Watching a plant grow from seed
–That moment when you turn out the light at night, and feel pure relaxation as your head hits the pillow
–Discovering wonderful books that transport you
Yess. I planted a nasturtium from seed, and now it’s blooming. I check everyday for new flowers
I felt inspired and i just
started a list on facebook with my friends ans co-workers . We are exausted teachers. I hope it will lighten up their day. Spred the laugh and the love is always an idea we forget. Thanks for the reminder!
when the cat plops down on your lap with that cute sigh <3
when the dog looks up at you and puts their paw on your knee <3
Getting a load of warm towels out of the dryer on a cold day and sitting on the bed with a pile of them on my lap for just a minute before they get folded
breaking my fast
hearing my children giggle
misty mornings
– When it’s cold and rainy outside and you don’t have to go out in it but can stay cuddled on the couch watching the weather through the window.
– Wildflowers.
– Lemons from the backyard lemon tree.
– Mornings where I can slowly savor good coffee and read a magazine.
– Words that sound like what they mean. Two of my favorites: melancholy and bulbous.
Mine are:
– Ginger Chai
– Having someone comb my hair for me
– The satisfaction of seeing how much dirt I got off my floors with a swiffer sweeper.
– A hot shower
So many things! Baby belly laughs. Sun-dried sheets. The cat making bread on my belly. The cat purring. The kitchen cleaned up and sitting at the table with the Sunday Times and a mug of tea. Clean eye glasses. The first surprising bite of something delicious. A hug when I need one. Catchup calls with old friends. Writing something that says what I want to say, gracefully. A tidy closet. Grocery shopping from a good list. Making a great list.
-A book and a cup of tea on the couch (extra points if it’s chilly outside”
-Walking through the park in the fall
-The smell of the salty ocean
-Comfy pjs after a long hot shower
-A fresh crusty baguette
Watching my 86 year old mom getting a manicure and pedicure, which she only started getting a couple of years ago. Hands weathered by age, washing dishes without gloves and by submerging her hands in hot and cold water to make sure our clothes were as clean as possible when we were kids. Watching her toes curl up in delight as she surveys her nail polish. I hope I never forget.
Sitting by a window during a rain storm
Eating a simple, home cooked meal
Laughing with my sister
Watching a movie with my husband.
these comments <3.
1. this blog
2. a fresh mani/pedi
3. putting a pillow under my knees while laying on the couch or in bed
4. the feeling of washing off a clay face mask
5. a dog putting their head on my lap
6. putting my feet on my boyfriend's lap
7. when there is a spot for my suitcase right above my seat on a plane
8. crossing things off a to-do list
9. relaxing with a lit candle
10. outdoor showers
11. hearing leaves crunch under my shoes
12. taking off boots after a long day
13. someone else combing my hair
14. a warm bread basket w/ ROOM TEMP butter (!!!)
15. flowers. any flowers, anywhere.
Outdoor showers are the best!!! and room temp butter – I hadn’t thought of that but it is amazing :)
– Lying on the daybed on a balmy Sunday afternoon, not doing or thinking about anything, and then slowly and inevitably falling asleep.
– A freshly vacuumed and mopped house.
– Vacuuming stray hairs and dust with the handheld Dyson.
– Bouncing my palm on the skin of water (in a tub, in a pool, in any receptacle).
– Freshly laundered sheets.
– Falling asleep during a thunderstorm.
– The first sip of tea of the day.
– Walking in the city, with no aim or urgency.
– Lying around with my best friends, doing nothing but shooting the breeze and laughing about nonsense.
– The smoke that rises right after you blow out a candle.
– The smell of a new book.
– My husband’s laugh.
Good, dark organic espresso
lemons
Lemons in blossom
Child giggles
Kissing eyebrows
slightly melted chocolate
laughing while reading out loud
I love reading the comments!!! Mine are:
– sharing one of your childhood memory with your own kids (they play with your old Lego, read one of your favourite childrens’ book, take a bikeride where you used to ride yours…)
– finding the last available parking spot
– pouring out the dirty water after mopping the floor