At a challenging time, like… I don’t know, maybe a global pandemic, it’s easy to focus on everything we don’t have as opposed to the simple pleasures we still do have. Surely everyone can identify at least one time they've been that person on a zoom call who gravitates towards the negative influence of the pandemic, but of course ends each point with a good “Oh well!” to avoid being a total mood hoover.
If this is you, then it's OK! I’m an advocate for having a good old moan about frustrating things to get them off the chest, and Covid-19 qualifies highly in the league of frustrating things. It can also be really annoying when people say “It could be worse!” because we know it could be but... it could also be a HELL of a lot better. Sometimes a good rant is all that will suffice.
But, believe it or not, I’m going to push this mentality aside for now and be one of those very people I sometimes despise. I’m going to be that blogger who leaves a list of all the small, seemingly insignificant, things I’m thankful for because we’re rapidly approaching the year anniversary of the UK’s first lockdown which would be a brilliant excuse to get my moan on. So instead, I’m taking a moment for a reality check. I’m reflecting on all those random things we usually associate our enjoyment of with being ‘far too easily impressed’, when really, these simple pleasures are pretty great and no pandemic can take them away.
Reality check: It's the little things that matter (60 of them, to be precise):
Waking up and thinking it’s time to get ready for work, to then realise it’s a Saturday
The feeling of a hot drink travelling down your body and warming you up
The sound of a wine bottle being opened
Eating a takeaway so big that you can’t work out if you’re ashamed or proud
Putting freshly washed comfy clothes on after a shower
A beautiful sunset
Unexpectedly chatting with someone lovely when out and about
The smell of a roast dinner being prepared
Laughing so much that your stomach hurts
Climbing into bed and remembering it’s clean bed sheets day
Being out for the day and narrowly missing the monsoon of rain that hits as soon as you close the front door
Grating cheese on top of almost every meal
Avoiding all red lights on a car journey
Peeling a banana to realise it’s at the perfect stage
Taking your bra off at the end of the day
Ticking something off a list
A morning cup of tea/coffee
Having a lie-in just because you can
Lighting candles and feeling cosy
Hearing a song that brings back brilliant memories
A glass of your favourite alcoholic beverage after the working week
The perfect morning stretch in bed
Finding something that magically went ‘missing’ years ago
Giving a present to someone and knowing you’ve smashed it
A hot shower in winter
Drinking a cold glass of water when thirsty
Finding some money you’d forgotten about in your pocket
Achieving a goal, no matter how small
Rekindling an old friendship
Decluttering that drawer you always have to jam shut
Putting on your pyjamas after a long day
Being healthy in body and mind
A call or text from a loved one
The smell of freshly cut grass
A clear email inbox (even if just for a minute)
A brand new tube of toothpaste
The perfect high-five, first time
A freshly cleaned and tidied home
Being able to remember a really good dream
Drinking what you believe will definitely qualify for a hangover, but waking up and feeling fresh(ish)
Wearing an outfit that makes you feel 1000 out of 10
Going for a wee when desperate
A clean car
A really good, unexpected back click
A good hair day, even if nobody is there to witness it
Receiving a compliment
No queue for the public toilets
Popping a spot that is SO ready to go (not ashamed of this one)
Finding that the specific thing you need to buy is on sale
The crunch of leaves underneath your feet
A fully stocked fridge
Overcoming a fear
Cooking dinner and not really knowing where it’s going, but ending up with a Michelin star worthy meal
A fresh bunch of flowers
Working hard and reaping the rewards
Lying down after a massive dinner
Getting the best, most convenient, car parking space
Being early for something
The cold side of the pillow
A joke that’s so bad, it’s good
ANDDDD there we have it, 60 things that I'm choosing to feel thankful for because honestly, they are pretty great.