How to Find Joy in Simple Pleasures
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How to Find Joy in Simple Pleasures (and things)
Sometimes, spending money isn’t about needing something. It’s about filling time, chasing a feeling, or trying to add excitement to a routine that feels too predictable.
But when you rely on spending for entertainment, those small purchases start adding up, and before you know it, your budget and frugality takes a hit over things you don’t even care about that much.
The good news? You don’t actually need to spend money to enjoy life. There’s a different way to feel good — one that doesn’t involve checkout screens or regret.
It starts with learning how to find joy in simple pleasures.
1. Make Small Things Feel Like a Treat
You ever notice how coffee just hits different when you drink it outside on a crisp morning? Or how a homemade meal feels fancy when you plate it nicely?
That’s because the experience around something changes how much you enjoy it. So instead of constantly chasing something new, start making ordinary things feel special.
Sit in a cozy corner with a warm drink. Eat dinner by candlelight. Put on your favorite song while getting ready for the day. The more you romanticize simple moments, the less you feel the urge to spend just to “treat yourself.”
2. Slow Down and Actually Pay Attention
A lot of joy in simple pleasures gets missed because we rush through everything. Eating while scrolling, listening to music while multitasking, barely noticing the things we do every day. When you move too fast, nothing stands out, so your brain starts looking for something to break the routine, and spending money is often the easiest option.
Therefore, try slowing down and taste your food. Walk without your phone. Notice the way fresh laundry smells. The goal is to be present in small moments so they feel like something, instead of just another part of your to-do list.
3. Replace Shopping With Something That Fills You Up
A lot of people shop when they’re bored, but the problem isn’t the shopping — it’s the boredom. If you don’t have something that excites you, spending money feels like the easiest way to create a spark.
To get past this, try replacing that habit with something just as engaging. Pick up a hobby. Read more. Learn a skill. Get into cooking, gardening, or journaling. The key is to find something that makes you feel occupied so spending isn’t your go-to activity when there’s nothing else to do.
Additionally, what if you got comfortable doing nothing? Not scrolling, not spending…just resting.
When you learn how to enjoy moments of stillness, you stop looking for distractions that cost money.
4. Stop Using Stuff as a Status Symbol
Sometimes, the reason we spend isn’t boredom. It’s validation.
We buy things to feel successful, to impress people, or to make ourselves feel like we belong. But if you have to keep spending money to prove something, you’ll never feel satisfied for long.
The next time you feel the urge to buy something, ask yourself: Do I actually want this, or do I like what it says about me? Then, shift that focus somewhere else.
Spend time with people who don’t care about what you have. The more you define your worth outside of stuff, the less you’ll feel the need to buy happiness.
6. Start Collecting Experiences, Not Things
Oftentimes, experiences add more to life than stuff ever will. So start collecting small, meaningful experiences instead.
Watch the sunrise or have a long conversation with a friend without checking your phone. The more you fill your life with little adventures, the less you’ll feel the need to shop just to shake things up.
7. Find Happiness in What You Already Have
It’s easy to think I’d be happier if I just had [insert thing here]. But chances are, there are things in your life right now that could bring you joy — you just have to use them.
Instead of shopping for something new, rediscover what you already own. The more you appreciate what’s already yours, the less you’ll feel the need to chase happiness through buying more.
Add to the list, how do you find joy in simple pleasures?