Simple pleasures sparking joy in August

Each month I write a list of simple pleasures which spark joy where I document the moments experienced during the month. I enjoy noticing the season we are in and reminding myself of what I connected to in nature during the month, as well as the simple day to day activities which brought joy. Reminding myself about the simple pleasures and joys within the month is a way of documenting the seasons as they shift and how things change year to year. Making my list helps me live more intentionally, 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 person will likely have a list of simple pleasures which 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.

August was a month packed with so many moments of joy, we enjoyed trips to places we hadn’t been before, spent lots of time with our families and felt like we were continually on the move. In amongst all the experiences and moments I noted a few of my favourite simple pleasures which sparked joy, simple day to day parts of our days which deserved to be documented.

Here’s my list for August:

Walking through the woods

Whilst on a trip home I headed out on a walk through woods I used to play in as a child and appreciated the shade, reconnecting with memories of what feels like a lifetime ago playing there and noticing how familiar paths get lost but can be rebound once searched for.

Reading a summer novel outdoors

It was a hot summer and where I could I’d spend time in our garden in the shade reading my book. Finding a book set by the sea or in the summer season always feels like a great choice to sink into the season.

Working on a hand stitched project

I chose to start a cross stitch pattern by Emily Congdon called ‘Here comes the sun’ and managed to complete it by the end of the month. Having a simple craft I could pick up and put down in the evenings and during the hot days where we were indoors was one of the best decisions I had made to create space for me and my hobbies during the school summer holidays.

Feeling the rain on my skin

There was pure relief when the rain started to fall later in the month. When it started to rain my daughter and I headed out into our garden and stood in the rain to appreciate it.

Colour changing dahlias in bloom

I planted my dahlias late and finally one of them bloomed this month, I noticed every few days how the colours would change and move from an orange yellow to a soft peach.

Looking up at hot air balloons

Bristol hosts the International Balloon Fiesta every August and this year almost every ascent happened, the sky was full of balloons during the mornings and evenings over the festival week. Such a simple thing as looking up at a balloon, waving at the people in it brought a real sense of joy at the start of the month.

Enjoying evening meals as the sun sets

Being outside and eating evening meals as the sun set for a few evenings during the summer was something I had wished we had done more. By mid-month the evenings were getting a little cooler and we needed to reach for a jumper to encourage us to stay outside.

Savouring delicious gelato

After a morning at a museum my daughter and I headed to the award winning gelato cafe and savoured their delicious recipes. We felt real joy as it felt like a real treat, and it has become a summer holiday rhythm we have created and enjoy doing.

Quiet early mornings with my journal

The simple pleasure of waking early and writing in my journal became a time in the day where I could get some headspace, allow ideas and thoughts to arrive and document our summer. Creating the space to write, work things out and document felt really nourishing and a real joy.

What would you put on your list for August?