We all have bad days-- whether it's family, friends, school or work, it may be hard to fall out of the rut. With that said, here is a collection of simple pleasures that help me get through a tough day, or that make my day even better.
1. Singing in the car
Is it silly that I get legitimately excited to drive anywhere just to sing in my car? Even if I'm dreading work, I know that I can always look forward to the 25 minutes of foolishly dancing and singing (another version of yelling) in my little red Toyota. If I hear one of my favorite songs, you can bet I'm going to give the cars around me a show.
2. Sales
My mother definitely taught me well when it comes to keeping your eye out for deals. Every time I go shopping my eyes scan the store in pursuit of the clearance rack. I'm always looking out for those receipts that get you $2 off if you fill out an online survey. I live for the online deals PLUS free shipping. You can bet that I have my Cartwheel app handy every time I take step into Target. Being a second year college student, you can bet that I will do whatever possible to save money-- and it's the best feeling when I do.
3. When People Are Actually Pretty Awesome
It honestly makes my day when people are kind, polite and considerate. It warms my heart when people are quick to say please and thank you. It's nice to receive random acts of kindness with unexpected compliments. It's a great feeling to feel acknowledged and appreciated by your family, friends, peers and coworkers. It's also a feeling we often take for granted far too often.
4. Random Acts of Kindness
Going off of #3, there's something to be said when you go the extra mile to make someones day better. It's a gratifying feeling to others benefit from that door you held, the thank you note you wrote, or the surprise coffee you brought. Making others feel good makes you feel good inside as well.
5. A Nice Long Hot (or, cold-- to each their own) Shower
I can say this from recent experience as I just got off of a 11 hour double shift-- that hot shower I took was heavenly. After a long day of working, sweating, being around all kinds of dirt and germs, it's so nice to start anew after a soul-cleansing shower.
6. Cookies (or any of your favorite desserts)
Almost every time I'm in class or I'm toward the end of a shift, I have a huge hankering for a dessert; and during these past few months I've been all about cookies (sometimes I'm feelin' a nice hot brownie too). So, of course I know all the best places to get good chocolate chip cookies: Chick-fil-a, Whataburger, Schlotzskys, McDonalds, not to mention that hot fudge sundae at Sonic is to die for. It's the anticipation that makes my long-awaited treat all the more pleasurable.
7. Pets
My cats and dogs have got to be the only way I've stayed sane all these years. I have no clue what I would do without them during my times of trial when I cuddle them for comfort, or when I could rant to them about my day while they blankly stare at me. My pets have seen me at my worst (especially in the morning when my hair is the equivalent to beehive), and they always know when to cheer me up by just being them.
8. Naps
Ah-- naps, the only real way that I survived junior and senior year of high school as well as my freshman year of college. I can tell you from experience that there is nothing like taking an uninterrupted nap with no time constraints. No where to be, nothing to see-- just pure relaxation. Waking up refreshed and ready to take on the world again is an indescribable feeling.
These were just some of my personal favorites of life's simple moments that often go unnoticed. In a such a complicated world where there's so much to do and think about, it's important to recognize these irreplaceable moments that make just being who we are a little easier and more pleasurable.
Happy living!
