The Joy of Tiny Pleasures

A simple way to reduce stress and counterbalance the struggles of life

Not too long ago, a friend from the distant past transitioned from this world. When I heard the news, I wondered, “Why do I make such a struggle of life when in the end I’ll dissolve too?”

That lead me to explore this question, “How can I live with a lighter heart?

The secret is to consciously savor tiny pleasures sprinkled throughout the day. It was time to re-charge my practice of itsy-bitsy daily pleasures.

Will you join me too?

Worry Wants to Pull You Into Its Sticky Net

We all have things to worry about if we decide to engage with that exhausting habit.

• What will happen to my cats when I die?
• Will I get Alzheimer’s disease like my brother did?
• Who will take care of me when I’m really, really old?

I’m a bit fixated on old age and death, you see.

No doubt you have your own age-appropriate worry list. It could be making the rent, attracting a partner, or wondering whether your child will be a success.

I can only prepare for the unknown as best I can. Isn’t it better to do so, and then take in a tiny pleasure or two?

Life can be very hard at times too. Your perfect normal can suddenly be rocked through any number of shocks from divorce to the pink slip to a natural disaster.

I’m not a perfect deflector of worry or stress. But I try not to spend too much time with bothersome or stressful thoughts.

They tempt me, they do, but what’s the point? I can only prepare for the unknown as best I can. Isn’t it better to do so, and then take in a tiny pleasure or two?

Worrisome thoughts will always arise. And sadly, stress is built-in to most modern-day jobs. But you can still choose a more light-hearted and pleasurable approach to this thing called life.

Step One: Decide to sidestep worry and stress as much as possible.

The Joy of Tiny Pleasures

Tiny pleasures are constantly available to us. You don’t have to adopt a rigorous new routine that takes oodles of time and costs way too much.

Just pay full attention to the innumerable opportunities for pleasure that already exist in your daily life—the ones you ignore in favor of a ruminating mind. You can also add an extra pleasure or two. Happily, tiny pleasures take minutes not hours and still do the trick when sprinkled generously throughout the day.

Tiny pleasures change the quality of my experience, diminish stress, and evoke more of the delight you and I rightfully deserve.

Researchers say healthy pleasures in appropriate doses can waylay stress.

Here are a few of my favorite tiny pleasures:

• Sip your morning brew, breathing in its unique aroma and noticing its distinctive taste. Let it fully ignite your pleasure buds!
• Listen to music with your full attention, allowing it to penetrate your heart, wake up your cells, and stimulate your joy.
• Pay attention when you water your flowers and plants. Vibe with their beauty, revel in their growth, and drink in their scent.
• Place your hand on your heart and speak kind and loving words to yourself. Acknowledge and appreciate yourself.
• At dinner, delight in the colors and shapes on your plate. Enjoy the bouquet of aromas and variety of tastes on your tongue.
• Stand on your deck or in your yard at night and turn your gaze upwards towards the stars above. Let the enormity of the universe instill you with wonder and awe.

The key to tiny pleasures: Awaken your senses and bring your full attention to an enjoyable body-based experience in order to make it pleasurable.

It doesn’t work without present moment awareness. You’ll just continue on like a mentally-obsessed robot that experiences but rarely feels pleasure at all.

Researchers say healthy pleasures in appropriate doses can waylay stress. They also release brain chemicals like endorphins that make everything seem more magical.

Step Two: Sprinkle tiny pleasures throughout your day. Use the ones I’ve suggested above or make your very own list.

The Dark Side of Tiny Pleasures

Adopting tiny pleasures should be easy-peasy. But tiny pleasures can be misused. They can even take you to a bad emotional place if you ascribe to a false belief that questions your right to pleasure.

So bear the following in mind.

Tiny means tiny

A small square of chocolate is perfect. A full bar of chocolate can have drawbacks like extra pounds. A single glass of wine can be a delight. An entire bottle can spell addiction. Listening to music for hours on end in order to avoid getting down to work can have unpleasant consequences for your wallet.

Keep your tiny pleasures small so they don’t turn into full-on distractions or destructive addictions.

Healthy pleasures are not guilty pleasures

We all need and deserve comfort in life. You’re best placed to give yourself tiny pleasures because you know what you enjoy more than anyone else.

But some of us feel guilty even at the thought of a tiny pleasure. Take a look at the belief that lives at the core of that guilt. Do you believe you don’t deserve pleasure, self-care, or self-kindness?

How can you unravel that false belief?

Not intended to avoid pain

Tiny pleasures are not a means to avoid pain. Life contains as much pain as it does pleasure. Pain is better faced head-on although it can be wise to do so in manageable doses and with support from family, friends, or a therapist.

• When someone dies, it’s normal to feel sad.
• When someone hurts you, it’s normal to feel fear, sadness, or anger.
• When people harm others, it’s normal to feel disgust.

There are healthy ways to work with and work through whatever difficult emotions arise in your life. Don’t try to avoid difficult feelings by using tiny pleasures as a numbing medicine.

Closing Thoughts

Tiny pleasures, like consciously savoring your morning coffee, provide simple ways to enrich your life. They can counterbalance the difficulties of life so you don’t fall into discouragement, depression, or despair.

Tiny pleasures can help you tune into the pleasure that’s already present but often overlooked. They don’t require a complicated and costly new routine. They can be as simple as looking up at the stars or rejoicing when your plants show visible growth. They can help you reduce worry and stress when employed regularly.

Do you want to spend your precious life focused on the struggles or are you ready to add a few tiny pleasures into your life? Go ahead! Get started today.

For more inspiration, sign up for my bi-monthly Wild Arisings newsletter and receive access to free self-discovery resources.