How to Enjoy the Simple Things in Life
Sometimes it’s the simplest of things that give the most pleasure, such as listening to the birds or watching the clouds but sadly, with so many of us struggling to get through each day, we just don’t know what the simple things are. If you are feeling the stress and looking for a way to slow things down, here are a few ways to appreciate the less complicated things in life.
1. Make Time For Yourself
Many individuals are ready to offer their thoughts and guidance, however, at the end of the day, it’s you who has to live your life. There is no one else coming along to make the changes you need to make your life better. It might not feel natural to put yourself first but to be content you have to be happy with who you are to even begin to appreciate what you have.
2. It Is Important To Relax
Take time to connect with the people around you, especially with those who matter the most. We get so busy stuck in our daily routines, it’s easy to forget the beauty of life is because of the people we share it with.
3. Don’t Watch Too Much News
It’s all too convenient to get caught in social conflicts, both online and in person. These days, with all the 24 hour news and commenting, it’s easy to get yourself caught up in the negatives and think that is all there is. Of course, keep up with the news but don’t obsess. Instead, learn how to conserve your emotional investment and direct it towards what’s happening closer to home.
4. Give Time To Your Relationships
Put aside quality time to use cultivating healthy interactions between friends and relatives. Checking in with a quick phone call is one thing, but there it’s no substitute for visit and time spent together.
5. Meet New People
Humans are social beings and society is one of the most precious things we have. Meeting new people opens us up to fresh ways of thinking and provides us with exciting new experiences. Meeting people, good or bad, helps you grow.
6. Go Out And Explore
The world is a very big place although we seldom make the time to explore much further than our own doorsteps. Our brains are ready to go and hot wired to appreciate anything new. Ditch the car, and get out for a walk to see, hear, feel and smell the world in more detail.
7. Make A Bucket List
Anytime is a good time to start building a bucket list. Just seeing plans, hopes and desires in black and white acts as a great motivator. Your list keeps your dreams alive.
8. Don’t Stick To The Routine
We like our comfort zones, but they do restrict us. Even though there are routines we are forced to stick to, it does the soul good to kick against them now and again. It will remind you are not just a number.
9. Declutter Your Surroundings
Physical clutter is equivalent to emotional clutter. There’s a rule that says if you haven’t used something in the last year, you are not going to need it in the future. Search these things out then throw them out. A calm, clear environment really does help clear the mind and relieve stress.
10. Take Out Time To Appreciate
Keeping a journal is a simple trick to learning how to appreciate the simple things better. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy paragraph. At the end of each day jot down three things that made your day.
11. Evaluate How You Spend Time
Time is precious and once you’ve got through work and the chores, there’s usually so little of it left. If you have wondered where it’s all gone, it’s time to get critical and take a really close look at how it got spent. Some things we need to do are unavoidable but do you really need to spend time watching TV or browsing social media?
12. Make Your Own Choices
We’ve never had such an opportunity to build a lifestyle we can enjoy, but many of us operate on automatic mode. Don’t be afraid to make changes. They may be frightening at first but with careful planning they can be exciting and you can make them work.
13. Invest In Yourself
The more unselfconscious and self-accepting we become, the happier we are. But to get there we have to concentrate first on being kind to yourself. Read the self-help books or try mediation and yoga by all means, but develop a critical eye. If a technique isn’t working for you, move on and give something else a try.
14. No Day Is Forever
A big part of enjoying life is understanding we won’t be 100 percent satisfied 100 percent of the time. Life is one huge loop full of ups and downs but change is a constant. Even the darkest days pass. Faster, if you look out for the positives.
15. Take Pride In Even The Smallest Accomplishments
Within a goal-obsessed culture, we are conditioned to measure life success by our big achievements. But you can make yourself happier by appreciating how each and every day can come with a win. These can be as simple as catching that good parking spot, clearing your inbox or finding the bottom of the laundry basket.
16. Let Yourself Be Happy
This is hard for some. Give yourself permission to let go of the norms and live a drama-free life. Sing out loud and clear and dance in your pajamas if you want to.
17. Take Care Of Your Mind
Enjoying good mental health is a blessing but just as with physical good health, you shouldn’t take good mental health for granted. Your brain needs its exercise so try taking up a mentally stimulating hobby. Completing puzzles, reading and listening and playing music work really well. TV doesn’t.
18. Don’t Stay In
Fresh air and exercise should be given out on prescription. A good dose of sunshine works miracles. It’s nature’s way to help us help ourselves.
19. Let Out Your Feelings
If out of fear of displeasing others, we often keep back our feelings but we are not truthful to ourselves. Displays of emotion only feel awkward in the short term and even this discomfort is worthwhile for benefits.
20. Never Stop Learning
Life is a journey and so is gathering the experiences that make us all human. Learn from mistakes and use that new knowledge to avoid making them again.
21. Be Compassionate
Once we have a love for ourselves and love for others we see people differently. It gets harder to pass by someone in need once you’ve learned to appreciate ‘there but for the grace of God go I’. Doing good makes you feel good and taking note of others doing good makes you see the world in a much better light.
22. Give Back To Society
Invest time doing things that help bring about positive changes for others. Helping creates a sense of our own significance and the opportunity to know and believe our existence on the planet makes a difference. No man is an island and each act of kindness helps build a better society.
Making a change for the better doesn’t have to be a huge challenge even if as we succumb to life pressures, it can seem more of a challenge to just carry on. Instead, be encouraged because there’s no need to hit this life changing list all at once. Just concentrate on taking those first baby steps. To enjoy a good life, it really is the small things that matter.
