101 small pleasures you can enjoy every day

Earlier in the week when we talked about the habits of happy people, many of you mentioned the small pleasures you enjoy that are worth more than anything money can buy, like walking on the beach and flying paper airplanes with your children. Since one of the key tenets of happiness is being able to savor small pleasures, here's a list of 101 delights that are worth enjoying today (not all in one day, though!). Let's try to come up with 101 more in the comments!

  1. coloring (yes, grown-ups can do it, too)

  2. crisp cotton sheets

  3. soft skin

  4. old family recipes

  5. the first daffodils of spring

  6. sleeping in

  7. an exercise endorphin high

  8. window boxes

  9. a perfect cup of coffee

  10. a genuine compliment (giving or receiving)

  11. the way babies smell

  12. a handwritten letter

  13. waking up in a good mood...for no real reason

  14. singing in the shower

  15. finding a couple forgotten dollars in your pocket

  16. doing something nice for your neighbor

  17. a home cooked meal

  18. laughing

  19. movie theater popcorn

  20. playing hookey

  21. a bubble bath

  22. swimming

  23. an afternoon nap

  24. street musicians

  25. your favorite song

  26. saying thank you

  27. helping someone in need

  28. old fashioned photo booths

  29. fresh whipped cream

  30. inspiring blogs

  31. a glass of wine

  32. rainy afternoons

  33. the funny things kids say

  34. a novel you can get lost in

  35. finding the perfect piece of clothing...on sale

  36. clean laundry

  37. the wind in your hair

  38. treating the person behind you at the drive-thru

  39. sharing an umbrella

  40. the smell of lavender

  41. a long walk that clears your head

  42. a bear hug

  43. The Beatles

  44. smiling at a stranger

  45. eating with chopsticks (Chinese food optional)

  46. butterflies

  47. staying in your pj's all day

  48. singing along to the radio and knowing all the words

  49. fresh herbs

  50. ordering in pizza

  51. happy endings...even if they're fictional

  52. flying a kite

  53. puppies

  54. root beer floats

  55. holding open the door...

  56. ...or having someone hold the door for you

  57. fountain soda

  58. white, fluffy towels

  59. sunshine

  60. spending an afternoon at a museum

  61. really great advice

  62. green lights all the way home

  63. the sound of rain hitting the windows

  64. sitting in a booth

  65. holding hands

  66. a great hair day with no effort

  67. building a fort with your kids

  68. when someone falls asleep with their head on your shoulder

  69. fireflies

  70. the perfect taco

  71. geraniums on a windowsill

  72. slow dancing

  73. the smell of fresh-baked bread

  74. cheesy, uplifting musicals

  75. great stories

  76. the smell of gasoline

  77. the cold side of the pillow

  78. love letters

  79. old friends...

  80. ...new friends

  81. a pull-through parking space

  82. a baguette -- crisp on the outside, airy on the inside

  83. when a dog licks your hand

  84. sitting at the counter at an old-fashioned diner

  85. using your favorite dishes

  86. reading your child a bedtime story

  87. Girl Scout Cookies

  88. flossing

  89. kissing someone you love

  90. the smell of onions and garlic cooking

  91. hot chocolate

  92. jumping in puddles

  93. old photographs

  94. birds hopping on the sidewalk

  95. Ella Fitzgerald

  96. a spoonful of peanut butter straight from the jar

  97. your softest t-shirt

  98. a new magazine in the mail

  99. fireplaces

  100. having exact change

  101. bacon and pancakes cooking on Saturday morning



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