Simple Pleasures sparking joy in July

Each month I write a list of simple pleasures which spark joy. There are moments experiencing the season, nature during the month and simple day to day activities which bring joy. It helps me live more seasonally and connected to the seasons.

Noticing and appreciating the simple pleasures in day to day life became one of the first ways I started living more intentionally. Sometimes the moments would arrive out of nowhere, spotted in nature, others have become favourite things to seek out and do during the month. As I learnt to notice more I began to appreciate more of the simple things in life, and feel a sense of joy when I experienced them. The small moments of joy were felt when I connected to my senses, when I appreciated the glimmers and noticed the simpler parts of my weeks or days.

By noticing the simple moments I grew a deeper connection to the seasons in nature and cultivated more gratitude for the small moments. We don’t always need to be seeking new experiences or new places to find joy they can arrive in the everyday moments.

What I love about simple pleasures is how unique they can be for each of us. One persons simple pleasures may be different to next, shaped by the different phases of our lives, our passions and interests and the environment we live in. Each month I create a list of simple pleasures I’ve noticed during the month. July’s list was long as we’ve been away on holiday this month and had lots of small moments through the month which brought real joy. These were my favourites from the month.

Here’s my list for July…

Watching clouds move across the sky

Laying down on a blanket at the beach, sitting watching the sky change whilst drinking a cup of tea, walking back from the school run and remembering to look up, and looking out to sea, were moments I’ve enjoyed this month seeing the ever changing sky create art in the moment. Blue sky combined with different clouds is my favourite. This summer the sight of a dark grey cloud brought excitement for the possibility of rain after what feels like continual heatwaves.

Splashing in waves

Spending time at the beach during our summer holiday in Cornwall is part of our week we savour. This summer we went to the beach three times in the week and jumped over the waves for fun with our daughter. ‘Jump the waves’ is a game she loves doing with us. It feels so simple and is full of joy. Making memories and beach time traditions seems to be something we do. After we’ve jumped the waves we come back to our beach spot, pour hot chocolate and have marshmallows, whatever the weather.

Walking under trees on a hot day

Early morning dog walks after the school run start the day with movement and time in nature for me. When I head out a little later for a walk I savour the moments walking under the shadows of the trees, whether its solid shade or dappled light the change of temperature is comforting and a relief from the summer sun.

End of term excitement for the summer holidays

This year our daughter finished at her infant school and is heading into the juniors in September. There was so much excitement for the end of term and the summer holidays ahead mixed in with some emotions for finishing at her lovely infant school building. The pure joy of experiencing the final week of term reminded me of the excitement for endings and the start of something new.

Clothes drying on the line

During the month hanging the washing to dry and it being dried a few hours later, across many days of washing, has been topping my list of simple joys. The wind blowing the washing, hot sunny mornings speeding up the drying and the feeling of ticking off the load of washing being done quickly has felt joyful and satisfying.

Family picnics on the beach

I love a beach picnic. This year with a new cool bag with more space we packed a range of delicious food for our picnic lunches on beach days. Pieces of quiche bought at a farm shop, bread rolls packed with salads, cheeses and ham, and lentil chips made lunchtimes really joyful this year. Extra snacks were packed, cookies and a few small Twix were added with extra ice packs so they would stay cool. Our family picnics are a simple pleasure each summer break and are a rhythm we love to replicate each time we head out.

Beautiful summer blooms in small gardens

As we walk past many gardens on the school run I always love seeing how people are planting up their front gardens. Pots full of flowers, tall sunflowers, salvias in bloom and roses fill gardens. Our small garden has bloomed with jasmine, lavender, salvias and honeysuckle. I love seeing an urban space full of colour, scent and attracting pollinators.

Homemade fruit ice lollies

We make our own lollies using a range of different moulds, we buy fresh tropical fruit juice and make our own. I know then its a good snack for our daughter and I love it too. There is so much joy found in sitting with an ice lolly on a hot day, cooling down and knowing you made it.

Creating special memories with my family

As an end of the school chapter happened this month we captured photos of our daughter in her final few days at infant school, recreating the first day photos I have. We’ve gathered lots of memories this month of things we have done as a family, lots of photos taken and moments shared always bring me joy when we look back on what we’ve done together.

What were your simple pleasures during July? What do you notice about each month and what might feel good to note down to help you document life as it is now and connect to the joys experienced in the season.