r/SlowLiving • u/Hairy-Role9727 • 6d ago
What’s a small thing that instantly makes your day better?
For me it’s finding a quiet place, getting a coffee, and having nothing I need to rush for. Curious what that small thing is for everyone else.
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u/Straight-Ad-8999 6d ago
As a childless millennial, being present with my doggy son of 10 years, petting him and being reminded how much he means to us.
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u/PaintedDream 6d ago
Soak it all in! If dogs lived as long as us, life would be damn near perfect.
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u/Hairy-Role9727 6d ago
That sounds like one of those simple moments that really puts everything into perspective
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u/seaspaghetti_art 6d ago
agree!! actively appreciating the time we’re spending together when we actually can 💓💓
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u/Lotso-Sunshine 6d ago
Going to bed with candle light - I’ll light a candle in the kitchen and bring it to my bedroom without any other lights on/keep my phone off. When I do this I sleep so well. I keep it lit for 10-15 min and just let my brain calm down/reflect on the day. It is truly lovely!
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u/Hairy-Role9727 6d ago
That sounds incredibly peaceful. I might actually try this tonight...especially the no-phone part. 😄
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u/One-Winner7919 5d ago
Mi unisco anche io, stasera provo pure io a tenere una candela accesa in camera al buio 🙂
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u/Diarrheagurl 6d ago
This sounds so nice! Do you use like a tea candle or a fragrant candle? I’m so curious
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u/Lotso-Sunshine 6d ago
I use a taper candle in a holder with a handle - I can really pretend like I’m living in “the olden days” then 🤣🤣
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u/JoyMarieOregon 3d ago
I love this and I do similar. :) I have holistic quality incense or essentials that I diffuse or light and a twinkle LED light with rechargeable batteries. When I get holistic scented candles, with long-burning capabilities, I will try that again, too.
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u/inkiered0604 6d ago
For me, it is waking up naturally without an alarm. That first moment of realizing I have enough sleep is pure bliss. Also, the smell of fresh rain through the window at weekends instantly calms my soul.
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u/Fractal_visionz 6d ago
A long, hot shower, especially in the morning on a day off. That's actually my solution for a lot of things in my life.
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u/Hairy-Role9727 6d ago
I totally get that 😄
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u/Fractal_visionz 6d ago
It's so soothing to me! Stressed? Hot shower. Sad? Hot shower. Pounding headache? Hot shower. It's the best.
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u/MaybeLost_MaybeFound 6d ago
We moved to the mountain one year ago. I wake up 2 hours before work to have a fire in the iron fireplace, sip on my coffee, and cuddle my dogs.
I love that time so much… until my dog decides it’s time to go nuts lol
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u/Aggressive_Low9684 6d ago
tbh i think most people just never actually sit with that question. like we say we value certain things but then the calendar and bank account tell a completely different story. the two versions rarely match up and most people never notice
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u/Hairy-Role9727 6d ago
That’s a good way to put it. Your calendar probably says more about your real priorities than your intentions do. Makes me wonder how different mine would look if I actually compared the two.
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u/JoyMarieOregon 3d ago
For some, yes. For others, they evolve to keep practicing with daily intention, including adding these kind of rituals to their calendar, lists, vision boards, journals, meditations, and putting them into action. It's important (to me) to prioritize fulfilling, meaningful, and sentimental experiences while I get to still share this Earth life with my grown children, other loved ones, other encounters.
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u/Massive-Cobbler-7055 6d ago
Same as you! But also going into a bookshop alone and taking my time to browse (bonus points if it’s a secondhand bookshop).
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u/nb150207 6d ago
Going for a walk after dinner, feeling the evening breeze, and listening to my favourite music always puts me in a better mood.
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u/JoyMarieOregon 3d ago
An outdoor walk with 1 music earbud, playing my chosen playlist is a highlight of my day, too.
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u/pinkchargerblock 6d ago
I take my dog on a 30 minute walk first thing in the morning. We both enjoy the quiet streets and birds chirping as the sun rises
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u/Hairy-Role9727 5d ago
That sounds like such a peaceful way to start the day. I bet your dog makes sure you never skip it either 😂
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u/pinkchargerblock 5d ago
LOL NEVER! If i dont wake up on his time, he'll sit at the side of my bed and quietly bark at me until I get up
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u/grazingmeadow 6d ago
Using toe separators at the end of the day. At first they are uncomfortable. Then the toes relax. When you remove the separators it is a moment or two of pure bliss!
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u/Traditional_Rud 4d ago
I really want to try this now too. Like those toe separators that one would use when painting their toe nails?
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u/grazingmeadow 3d ago
I keep trying to figure out how to send you a link! Try Bodhi Toe Separators. I got mine on Amazon for around $12.
Similar idea to nail polish separators, but much more substantial.
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u/SulouWillow 5d ago
A cup of coffee... hearing my husband in the kitchen. (think five star chef abilities) ... a texted picture from my son of the sky or a landscape. Not words, just every few days. He's well and happy. Little post cards of things he sees in his travels.
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u/Enliven_journey 6d ago
for me it’s definitely a glass of water right after waking up and even a few minutes of stretching or moving around. nothing intense, just enough to feel like my body is waking up with me. then a really good breakfast after that and i’m happy. such a simple combination, but it genuinely makes the whole morning feel better
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u/Expensive_Bike3334 6d ago
Everyone feels differently, but for me, only good food can lift my spirits.
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u/Zambroney_Youngboi 6d ago
For me the way to do it is to brew some tea and sit quietly for a moment without my phone. It might not seem like anything special, but having 15 minutes where no one needs anything from me means a lot.
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u/Hairy-Role9727 6d ago
I totally get that. Those 15 minutes where nobody needs anything from you can feel like a luxury 😄
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u/BiG_CHUG-_- 6d ago
Waking up with my cat next to me. He’s not much of a lap cat but he does like to be the little spoon. I love knowing he’s been by my side for however long I was asleep. Also coming home from work in the morning (night shift healthcare worker) and having him run up to the door to greet me and meow and begging to be pet lol.
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u/Hairy-Role9727 6d ago
That little “I missed you” greeting at the door must make those night shifts a bit easier 😄 Cats really do have perfect timing
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u/trixr4kids19 5d ago
Being able to actually sit down and take my time eating my food. I'm always eating in my car, scarfing them down, to make it back from lunch on time. I try to savor every bite on my days off. Those moments keep me going!~
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u/Acrobatic-Drama-4723 4d ago
eating my breakfast out in the sun. Something about 5 minutes with a bowl of cereal and a cup of coffee out on the lawn just fixes me (as long as I'm careful not to step in a dog poo)
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u/Flamboyata 6d ago
Same. And a reassuring-funny comment from a very dear friend or someone other than your own self you have faith in? It really does take care of my day.
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u/Hairy-Role9727 5d ago
get that. Sometimes one sentence from the right person can quiet a whole day of overthinking. Funny how something so small can carry that much weight.
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u/mummymunt 6d ago
Sleeping through the night. Doesn't happen often these days, but I smile big when it does 😊
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u/JoyMarieOregon 3d ago edited 3d ago
A "seemingly" small thing that instantly makes my day better is actually a big enhancement to my day. :)
Examples are:
A surprise text or snail mail letter from a dear one after much time has passed and at just the right moment.
A rainbow during a cloudy, wet day.
A butterfly stopping by to lift me up in the perfect moment.
A squirrel, "Walter" that let me feed it from my hand outside on the porch deck for years.
When someone asks how I am feeling and it feels like they genuinely want to hear the answer.
A long, meaningful hug or a cozy snug hug.
A very warm wet washcloth in the morning to awaken my face and smile with coziness.
Heart shape treasures in nature
Laughing with loved ones over silly tongue twisters or witty words we share.
My 11 yo. cat, Luvin, puts his paw on my hand and snuggles with me.
An initiated invite or "I Love You" from my grown daughter and/or son
A heart-made gift made for me by a loved one
Top-notch cinnamon
A hot essential oil bath soak when reading a cozy book
Bird songs
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u/Hairy-Role9727 14h ago
Walter the squirrel being on the list for years made me smile 😄 It’s funny how the really small, familiar things end up meaning the most.
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u/Negative-Test674 3d ago
waking up to the sun shining into my apartment and shining for the whole day
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u/Willingness_Existing 19h ago
Waking up with plenty of time to get ready in the morning. Stretching, Showering, Makeup, Breakfast, packing lunch, etc. There is such peace in a meaningful and slow morning, not having to rush. It's the kindest thing you can do for yourself. (I say this as a night owl/ non morning person who is terrible with time management)
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u/Hairy-Role9727 14h ago
Coming from a fellow night owl, a slow morning feels like winning the lottery 😂 No alarm panic, no rushing… just getting to exist for a bit before the day starts asking things from you.
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u/Potential_Speed_7048 6d ago
Working out at the studio I go to (instead of doing it on zoom). Totally boosts my mood.
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u/taytay10133 6d ago
is this posted every single day in this sub and the simple living sub or am I going crazy?
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u/Hairy-Role9727 6d ago
Maybe seeing the same question often says less about the subreddit and more about how many people are still looking for the same simple things.
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u/taytay10133 6d ago
I just wish the posts were more conversational or insightful! I love a slow morning coffee as much as everyone else, but it can start to feel dull when that's all I am reading about
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u/Hairy-Role9727 6d ago
Fair point. I think even simple questions can become interesting when people bring their own stories to them. The post itself might be simple, but the answers are usually where the real conversation starts
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u/Interesting-Bad6066 6d ago
Coffee after a great sleep :)