Life can be really full on, stressful, busy and a little overwhelming at times. For all of those reasons, I think we really need to be embracing the simple pleasures in life. These little things that can bring true happiness, however fleeting this may be. And I am all about the happiness on my blog!
What are simple pleasures?
Simple pleasures are something that brings you joy and emerges us in brief positive experiences. Some times we over look the simplest of things as something we do all the time. That doesn’t make it any less significant or less joyful.
It’s these moments that really do make life feel special, but often we do over look them. Overlook the importance of slowing down and enjoying these simple pleasures.
Of course it is all relative, what is a simple pleasure for one could be someone else’s idea of hell!
Why it’s time I make simple pleasures a priority
Now there is a bit of an ulterior motive for this post. I love my blog, I pour my heart and soul in to it. I’ve met some incredible people through the blogging community and I have genuinely loved having a corner of the internet that belongs to just me.
Watching my numbers increase, hitting the SEO just right that my organic traffic is improving and engaging with likeminded people has made the journey an incredible one. One that I will forever be grateful for.
But like anything, there is a downside. For 3 years, my blog has become an obsession. When working full time, all my spare time is plowed in to my blog. That does come at a price though. The price being my time. When I am not writing, I am promoting, when I am not promoting I am working behind the scenes. And while I love it, it’s a huge amount of work. It’s so consuming that even when I am not working on my blog, it is not far from my mind.
Then there is the constant self-doubt, imposter syndrome and generally comparing myself to EVERY other blogger, ALL.THE.TIME! Feeling like, even after 3 years I am not good enough, I am not progressing in the way I would like to be. While at the same time, realising that it is unrealistic to be so hard on myself with the limited time I do have available to me.
I am missing out on the simple pleasures in life, I am not making myself a priority. I’m at the bottom of a long list of things that are simply more important than my own well-being. And boy am I feeling it! I figured now was the time to address this before things get really difficult.
So what does that mean for Our Favourite Jar
Well right now, it means this will be my last post for a while. I will still be present in the community, still keeping in touch with the bloggers who have become friends and engaging on social media. And I can’t promise I won’t be back in a few weeks with my tail between my legs feeling a little foolish.
But right now, I have to do this for myself. I need to throw myself in to taking care of me. Focusing on my health, my well-being and getting ready for my wedding. Plus enjoying the freedom that lockdown easing will bring.
I want to pause on a high though and share with you some of the simple pleasures that we should all make time for. A list full of things that will bring joy.
101 Simple Pleasures
- The smell of freshly cut grass
- Toes in hot sand
- Coffee
- A walk in the sunshine
- Going to the gym
- Listening to music in the car with the windows down
- Swimming
- Watching a movie
- Watch the sunset
- Catching up with friends
- Having a long hot bath
- Reading a book
- Baking a cake
- Going out for dinner
- Being Lazy
- Spending time with the children
- Having date nights
- Visiting family
- Making someone else smile
- Going on a shopping spree
- Journal
- Plan a holiday
- Take an afternoon nap
- Watching the tide come in
- Blowing bubbles for the children
- Buying good from a bakery
- Free food!
- Going to a book shop
- Getting in to bed after a long day
- Taking photographs
- A clean home
- Seeing the bottom of the washing basket
- Fresh bed linen
- Clean, fluffy towels
- New Pajamas
- A brand new notebook
- Having a duvet day
- Going on an adventure
- Discovering a new place to visit
- The feeling after a workout
- A foot massage
- Going to the hairdressers
- Having an hour to yourself with nothing to do
- Buying stationary
- Watching the children play
- Hot chocolate on a cold day
- Going Christmas shopping
- An empty email inbox
- Clocking off work time
- Having a cuddle
- Watching your favourite film
- Going for a picnic
- A sunny day
- Freshly fallen snow
- Sitting round the table for dinner
- Hearing children laugh
- Putting your children to bed
- The smell of baked bread
- Being told good news
- A beautiful view
- Putting up the Christmas decorations
- Turning the alarm off
- Watching the stars
- The end of term (School workers/students will get this!)
- Giving someone the perfect gift
- Buying yourself flowers
- Eating your favourite food
- The heat hitting you as you step off a plane
- McDonalds milkshakes on a hot day
- Having the TV to yourself
- A long hot shower
- Shaving your legs
- The feeling you have walking out of the hairdressers … The one where you are in your own hair advert!
- Talking on the phone to your best friend
- Scrolling instagram
- Winning on a scratchcard
- Cold cider on a hot day
- Fake tanning!
- Laughing until you cry
- Reminiscing
- Smelling a babies head
- Clear blue skies
- Cake!
- Egg Sandwiches
- Listening to live music
- The smell of rain on a hot day
- Soft squidgy cookies
- Being outdoors
- Rain on the windows while I lie in bed
- Being silly
- Cuddling
- Re-watching your favourite TV shows
- The smell of new books
- The sun shining after you finish work
- Singing to loud music
- Seeing my children happy
- Buying a new dress
- Jumpers straight from the dryer
- Spotting a rainbow
- Crying with happiness
- Scented candles
WOW! Made it! I can’t even bring myself to check for duplicates! If they’ve snuck in unnoticed they must bring a lot of pleasure!
So these are the things I am going to fill my time with right now. As I said, I may be back sooner than I expect as I have no doubt I am going to brimming with ideas now I have time to think. But who knows.
What I really want to say is a HUGE thank you, for the kindness, the support, the friendships and generally putting up with my ramblings for so long. Blogging has a place in my heart and always will. I’ll still be around, reading and following your successes, so don’t forget about me.
Much love to you all and make sure you make time for the simple pleasures that life has to offer!
What are your ultimate Simple pleasures?
Enjoy your time away and your simple pleasures, my friend. Hope to see you back here soon.
Thank you so much Michelle. And thank you for all your support x x
Claire I agree hundred percent with you.. We need this! I would love to have a relaxing weekend without having to work and just go somewhere quiet with a nice view, pool and ofcourse my coffee. My ideal weekend get away🌼
That sounds like a little bit of heaven right now x
Ohh would love to be in that heaven right now
More time to watch Hamilton 😜
Exactly!
Oh Claire! I would be lying if I say I don’t feel you on this one. I have had my blog up and running for almost 5 months now and it has become an important part of my life. While I love my blog so much, and appreciate the love and support I get from everyone out there, it can be so hard to not get obsessed with it. There have been times when I had to call myself out and tell myself that even though my blog is important, there are other things that are just as important. I am glad you are taking a break. And I’m even more happy you are taking a break because you want to focus on you! I’m definitely going to miss your posts. I always look out for them haha. Take your time Claire. We’ll miss you but looking after yourself is important. Trust me x
Thank you so much lovely.
I genuinely feel really sad about it, I’ll be around for the next few days but I really do need some time x
A break to recharge and take it really easy sounds lovely. I’m glad to hear you’re self aware to know that you need it before you burn out. We’ll all still be here waiting waiting you’re ready to pick back up again. Xx
Thank you so much. I was very much heading to burn out! X x x
Enjoy your you time and see you again soon when you are ready! I loved this list of simple pleasures and I really need to get back to basics and enjoy some of these. Thank you for sharing, I needed it this morning.
Your very welcome. Thank you x x
I completely feel this post!! In any of my spare time, I’m on my laptop, either working on my blog or writing my books that sometimes, I forget to take a step away from it all and appreciate the little things xx
It’s too much sometimes. I swear I have square eyes. I have certainly noticed less headaches since taking a break x
OK I LOVE this post. I think the pandemic and life being stripped back really gave me this kind of perspective. The simple pleasures are what I’ve missed most. Laughing till my tummy hurts with my sisters. The smell of fresh cut grass. Yes, all of this!
I’d be a much happier person if I lived for the small wins everyday!
Rosie
Oh I completely agree! I love laughing until your belly hurts, truly a simple pleasure x
Love this post Claire and I hope that you enjoy taking some time off and taking time to enjoy the simple pleasures. I completely get where your coming from, this was me three years ago and when I came back to blogging it made me feel refreshed but also stopped me from spending every free moment of my time blogging too. It helped put things into perspective.
That’s so great to hear. I really hope to return but the difference it has made already to my work/life balance is so huge!
I am hoping, like you that time gives me some much needed perspective x
I’m so glad that you’re going to take this into your own hands and put your needs, self care and simply pleasures first! I’m so going to miss reading your posts for a while but the blogging community will always be here to welcome you back and support your posts 🙂 I hope this time helps clear your head and gives you some well deserves down time to focus on you. You deserve it! xxx
Thank you so much Jenny. It’s been a really tough few weeks of back and forth in my head trying to make the decision but once I was set, I knew it was the right move.
I have a gifted post to sort but other than that, some much needed down time.
I’ll be about though, don’t think I can manage without reading my favourite blogs x x
I completely agree with this, it can so easily fill all the free time you have while working, so truly hope that during this break you can recharge and enjoy all these little things! What I love most is the smell of fresh-cut grass, the smell of rain, reading and writing. We will be here for when you get back x
I miss the smell of rain on a warm day. We have not had rain for what feels like forever but I can feel it brewing today so I hope to embrace the smell very soon x
I love that your taking time away to focus on the simple pleasures of life Claire, it’s so easy to forget about those things with social media, enjoy lovely! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you so much Lucy. I’m certainly enjoying the break right now x x
I love this! Good for you for knowing when you need a break. It can be so hard to prioritize yourself. I know I struggle with it. Enjoy your time away! I can’t wait to read about all your adventures when you come back!
Thank you so much! I’ll keep in touch with you all x
I cannot believe how much this post resonates with me, Claire. For so long now every spare minute when I’m not in my paid job I seem to be blogging, or promoting, or taking photographs for my blog. And it’s just too much. Earlier this year I made the decision that I would only post once a week (today is an anomaly due to a paid AD sneaking in) and I’m trying to stick to that. Because at the end of the day, although I love my blog and the blogger friends I’ve made, my family has to come first. I’ll be taking most of July and August off from blogging and I know traffic will dip but che sara sara. As you say, simple pleasures should come first. I’ll miss you but I hope you enjoy every second you’re away, you deserve it! xx
Thank you so much Lisa. I’ll keep my eye on you all, hate the thought of missing what you’re all up to.
I think that’s a really good idea taking the summer off. I just feel so trapped by it and I don’t think it’s healthy. I still love it and I hope to be back at some point x
101 Amazing simple pleasures indeed, sometimes when we work so hard, we forget to take a break and enjoy life as it is
I am terrible for it. I never really switched off form anything, even after a week, I feel so much better about everything x
Such a wonderful list! It is definitely important to make time for simple pleasures and make them a priority.
Thank you. So important to make time for ourselves x
Lovely post and very timely reminders too. It’s always nice to come across posts like this, such a refreshing read! And I love the list too, that’s always great to come back to 🙂
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Thank you so much Anika x
Coffee is honestly one of my favourite ways to have a simple pleasure I honestly love it so much! I can relate to so many things on your list too x
Oh coffee! I can’t believe I wasted most of my adulthood NOT drinking it! Now I practically have it on a drip!
I love this list. Since lockdown and a friend has been unwell I just want to be happy most of the time, so all the little things just add up!!!
Sorry to hear about your friend. It is so important to find our happiness x x
I think if there’s one thing we’ve learnt from all of this it’s how important the simple pleasures in life are. Love this list!
Thank you Talya x x
Enjoy your time away, you deserve it. I know exactly how you feel as I work full time too alongside my blog and it can take over a little bit x
Thank you so much. Definitely takes over x
You are so right to take some time for you. I had times where I was working on mine 7 days a week and into the night. There comes a time where needs come first.
Exactly that. I love blogging but it really was consuming my every thought x
Aw, what a lovely list! My favourite simple pleasures are walking in the soft grass barefooted, slow sunday coffees and fresh sheets! Thanks for sharing x
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
I am not even joking but Coffee tastes a million times better on a lazy Sunday doesn’t it x
I enjoy my blog but it is very time consuming. Enjoy some time away for yourself.
Thank you Jenny x x
A break sounds like a great idea and honestly I feel the same , almost burn myself out and forget to enjoy it all too
We are far too hard on ourselves aren’t we, pushing ourselves so much x
Love your blog! Taking the time to take care of yourself is the best thing to do. Enjoy the time and take care!
Thank you so much x
Turns out I’m going to take a moment as well. See you when we’re both back. ☺️
These are some great suggestions about what you can as simple pleasures to start planning them into your routine. A break is always a good thing especially if you feel that you need it. But I look forward to you being back when you are ready. Take care of yourself. Xx
Thank you so much Lauren, I’ll be around as much as I can x
Wow, that is some list. Freshly cut grass and fresh, line dried bedding is up there for me
[…] Why It’s Time I Make Simple Pleasures A Priority […]
I love this so much! Looking out for those magical moments are the best – buying stationary is definitely one of mine too x
Love your list! And totally get where you’re coming from. Take whatever time you need!
These are so beautiful. Truly taking time to unplug and enjoy the little things in life that make our souls smile is really where the purest forms of content and peace come from.
Simple pleasures are the reason why life is so beautiful. It’s always the simple moments that make life so joyful. Thank you for sharing this wonderful list.
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