Finding Joy In The Little Things — (and Things That Bring Happiness)

finding joy in the little things that bring happiness for find it health

Happiness and joy are always the dream ideals to seek for a happy life but can sometimes be hard to find in our daily life. So often, we live such busy lives we forget to slow down and find joy in the little things and even forget our pursuit of happiness.

Keep reading to find out how to find joy in the little things so you can live a happy life with true happiness.

finding joy in the little things that bring happiness for find it health

Things That Bring Happiness


Real happiness isn’t wealth or material things but comes from simple things and our ability to see them with gratitude and love.

Most of us base our happiness on material possessions or status in life; the reality is that none of this brings us long-term happiness. Instead, our joy with a new pair of shoes is temporary. We are not saying that material things can’t make you happy but rather encourage you to look deeper at things that bring long-term happiness into your life.

Happiness in life comes from changing your attitude and ideals about life. It’s having the mindset of a glass half-full and thinking positively and having gratitude for each day. Happiness is more about if our values are being met and then just spending time with loved ones. At the end of the day, happiness is enjoying little things each day and being grateful for those around you.

What Little Things Should You Be Looking For?


There are numerous little things we can appreciate and notice to find joy throughout our days to experience the beauty of life.

We’ve listed our favorites below. 

Get Outside 

Get outside daily to ground yourself and listen to the world around you.  Grounding yourself is one of the best gifts of relaxation you can give yourself and an instant way to connect with the earth.

Take your shoes off, place your feet on the grass and earth, and stand them feeling your feet root into the ground.

You will instantly feel calmer and able to tune in to your surroundings. This will also allow you to live and pursue a more creative life as time in nature also inspires creativity.

It’s also super important to be outside in nature every day, even if it’s only for a 5-10 minute walk. This could even look like having your morning cup of coffee out on the porch if it’s a super busy day. I know for us that the aroma of coffee is always pleasant and a magical moment. It’s also essential to get outside, feel the sunshine, and listen to the sounds around you for sources of inspiration.

Slow Down 

The critical thought is to slow down and live in the present moment. Stop rushing through life and thinking about the next thing because when you constantly look to the future, you forget the present moment. This causes us more stress, and we will never really feel happy because we always look forward. A key thing that helps with this is to have morning gratitude practice. Start waking up 15 minutes earlier and have a journal nearby.

This can also be a great practice to focus on after morning breath work or meditation. Find a quiet area to sit in, and especially if you can, try to be outside as nature feels the most healing. Sit in a comfortable seat and notice what is happening around you and in your mind. Take a few minutes to embrace the feels and allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come to you. This practice will help you center on your feelings and bring you a new awareness of the present. This awareness will help you appreciate and start noticing the little things around you. After this, grab your journal and write three things you are grateful for on this particular day. Regular gratitude practice slows your mind down and causes you to tune in more to the world around you. The world is full of daily delights that we often miss because we are moving too fast. 

Schedule Self-Care

Schedule time to be alone with your thoughts and just be by yourself at least once per day. You don’t need to spend much time doing this, start slow by just five to ten minutes daily. Once it’s become a regular practice, you can consider going up to 15 or 30 minutes. This is a moment of your day when you find a quiet space and check in with yourself. Allow your thoughts to rise, and embrace yourself at the moment.

These can be acts of breathwork or meditation or simply sitting outside on a bench to reflect on your day. You can also consider taking a short walk if you want to exercise during your quiet time. If it’s rainy or not ideal weather outside you can always read a book or play a video game. In a nutshell, we want this time to be calm, peaceful, and purely focused on you. By taking time for yourself, you will become more aware of any issues and concerns circling through your head or impacting your life. This self-care time allows you to clear the chatter and noise from your brain and opens you up to a new heightened state of self-awareness. This will only help you grow and keep evolving on your journey throughout life.

How To Focus On The Small Things


Focusing on the small things in life is as simple as finding something to be grateful for daily. Try to find something new daily to be thankful for, and you will start to be in awe of how many little things you see bring you joy and happiness.

So often we can’t find joy in the little things because we lack the awareness to notice them honestly. Little things like having the time to meet a friend for lunch, or just having the time to sit down and relax.

The possibilities are endless by focusing on gratitude and finding new things to be grateful for each day.

These can be a smile from a stranger, a walk with a fur creature, or just a beautiful cool breeze on a sunny afternoon. We could continue, but the number of little things you can enjoy is endless. 

Frequently Asked Questions


What does it mean to find joy in little things?

Finding joy in little things means appreciating the small things in life and living in the present moment. It’s embracing the world with the viewpoint of having gratitude for every and each thing in it. 

How do you find joy in simple things?

There are many ways to find joy in simple things, ranging from practicing gratitude, being kind to others, and being mindful of the little moments. Also, accepting and understanding that just being still and present in the moment can be a simple thing that promotes joy. Joy doesn’t have to be complicated and anything can truly cause this emotion.

What does it mean to enjoy the little things?

To enjoy the little things means living in the present moment and being genuinely mindful of everything around you. By enjoying the little things, you are slowing down and more grateful for items in your life. You will have more kindness and compassion to yourself and others. 

How do you find joy in the struggle?

Finding joy in struggles is essential because pleasure will help you overcome the battle. Think with positive emotions, and don’t let the effort overcome you. Focus on gratitude, laughter, and overall joy as you move throughout your day. 

Conclusion – Research by Findithealth.com

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By noticing and finding joy in the little things, you will make your life happier and feel more at peace. Our team of researchers at FinditHealth found that identifying the little things that bring you joy and creating a habit out of it will only bring long-term happiness and success.

Over time this practice will become second nature and something you can’t believe you didn’t do beforehand.

Find It Health Editor in Chief Luz Chacon Health and Wellness Coach Giving You Advice

Luz Chacon

Luz Chacon is a Health Educator, Wellness Coach, and EFT Tapping Practitioner with 30+ years in health advocacy. Specializing in stress management, wellbeing, and holistic health, she created a 40% stress reduction employee program. Luz is dedicated to helping busy individuals prioritize self-care, break patterns, and reach goals. She offers programs for organizations and individuals. Luz is passionate about sharing her health research and guiding informed choices!

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