Life’s Top Simple Pleasures
Keeping life simple – Small Luxury Hotels of the World,
Noborioji Hotel Nara
Feeling the sun on your face or watching the waves break are among the top 50 simple pleasures Australians enjoy.
According to survey results from the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, listening to a favourite songs, sleeping in a freshly-made bed, and making someone smile are others.
Survey
Researchers polled 1,000 Australians to determine all the little things that bring a little bit of joy without breaking the bank.
Other favourites include receiving a compliment from a stranger, having a good hair day and going to the beach.
Seek Simplicity Poet
Small Luxury Hotels of the World also commissioned poet Laurie Bolger to come-up with a piece titled “Seek Simplicity” expressing life’s simple pleasures.
The wordsmith said: “I wanted my poem to remind people about the feeling you get when you are able to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. But on the other hand, I also wanted to highlight that the reason some of these things are so enjoyable is because they are a break from the norm. Feeling the sun on my face is definitely one of my favourite simple pleasures in life, and I’m glad the survey reflected that – and that we’re starting to see brighter weather too.”
Study Results
The study also found 31 per cent of adults simply named ‘cake’ as one of their favourite small pleasures, while a quarter enjoy catching up with friends.
More than a third enjoy seeing flowers and trees blossom, and 31 per cent enjoy exercise enough to put it on their list.
Keeping life simple – Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Sentosa, Singapore
Seven Moments of Simple Pleasure
Australians polled indicate that they enjoy an average of seven moments of simple pleasure each week – around once a day, with the satisfaction of a moment’s pleasure lasting for about 31 minutes on average, although a fifth get a glow for an hour or more.
However, more than half of those polled, via OnePoll, believe they don’t get to enjoy life’s simplest pleasures often enough for their liking, while 41 per cent feel don’t have enough time in their day-to-day to take advantage of small pleasures as much as they should.
Almost a third said endless to-do lists are a major hindrance, while anxiety about COVID-19, lack of sleep and health-related issues has left them with less time to enjoy simple pleasures although they appreciate it more when they do.
Mark Wong, Senior Vice President Asia Pacific, Small Luxury Hotels of the World added: “Our list found many of life’s pleasures are ones often found on holiday, such as seeing a stunning view, discovering new places, taking long walks or visiting the beach.
“It’s on our travels that we are able to experience an abundance of life’s simple pleasures which have a longer lasting effect on us. Now that travel bubbles are are coming in place, we are optimistic that people will be able to safely enjoy some of these simple pleasures abroad before too much longer.”
Polynesia Cook Islands tropical paradise aerial view panorama landscape
Life’s Top 50 Simple Pleasures.
Listening to your favourite songs
Sleeping in a freshly made bed
Making someone smile or laugh
A nice dinner
Payday
Sleeping in a big incredibly comfy bed
Sound of rain on the window
Stunning views
Watching your favourite movie
Going to the beach
Having dinner made for you
Finding money in a purse/wallet you had forgotten about
Dining out
Discovering new places
Getting a delivery in the post
Home cooking
Wearing an outfit that makes you feel good
Staying in bed on a Sunday morning
Feeling of sun on your face
Receiving a compliment from a stranger
Having a gossip or catch up with friends
Laughing out loud at a film
Not having to set the alarm at the weekend or on a day off
Seeing flowers and trees blossom
Long walks
Having a picnic
Waking up to sun
Travelling across the state
Cake
Doing exercise
Discovering new food
Getting a cuddle from your children
Discovering new music
Seeing old people hold hands
Seeing a butterfly
A roaring fire
Having a good hair day
Buying fresh local food produce
Finishing a really good book
Swimming outside
Having a coffee/tea in bed
Someone making you a cup of tea
Hearing nothing but birds chirping
Smell of toast in the morning
Hearing the wind blow through the trees
Meeting new people
Sitting in a pub garden
Playing sport with friends or family
Donating to charity
Spontaneous mid-week dinners
