8 Simple Pleasures and Why they Get Me Through the Day

By Alison Weissbrot on February 26, 2014

Senior year of college can be tough. You have all the freedom you want, yet you feel pressured by the need to find a job, make a plan, or have an answer. The world is at your fingertips but you don’t know quite where to go. Sometimes, the sheer amount of options in front of you is so vastly overwhelming that making a decision as simple as what to eat for lunch can seem like life or death. As I sit and write this article on a cold day in February with graduation looming all but two months around the corner, I realize that I (and everyone else around me) am struggling with this oppressing, ever-present feeling of confusion. You can’t ignore it, you can’t fight, and  you can’t hide from it. So rather than avoid it, acknowledge it; rather than dwell on it, focus on the simple aspects of your day that can ground you and bring you back to reality.

WIth that in mind, here are a few of my own simple pleasures that get me through these confusion-filled days.

Sleep

There is absolutely nothing better than a solid night of sleep. Waking up refreshed is just about the best feeling on earth, so you shouldn’t take it for granted. Think about how much worse your day would be if you were running on little-to-no sleep. I know I would look something along the lines of this. . .

But seriously, wake up in the morning after a night of sleeping like a log, give your alarm a snooze, and revel in the comfort of your beloved sheets before the day sucks you in. Everything is better when you slept well the night before.

And for those nights when you don’t sleep. . . COFFEE.

Coffee is just about the best thing to happen to mankind, as far as I’m concerned. Admittedly, that statement is coming from a rabid caffeine addict, but nothing can get you through a tough day after a sleepless night like the artificial energy from a steaming (or iced) cup of coffee.  I don’t care if you take your morning coffee with milk, sugar, or just plain black, but make sure you take it with some gratitude. When waking up for your 8 A.M. class seems all but impossible, coffee is always available to save the day. Or at least the next few hours.

Netflix

When your mind begins wandering and you don’t know how you will ever be able to stop it, just remember that Netflix exists, bringing hundreds of different TV shows and movies right to your computer screen. If you find yourself stressing about a million different scenarios that could or could not occur over the next week, month, or even year, never fear: there is always a new episode of Scandal to watch, and whatever precarious situation Olivia Pope and President Fitz are in is way more interesting than your own hypothetical problems. Sometimes it helps to take a break from all your stressing and lose yourself in the mindlessness of a television show—it really can be that simple.

Who has time for their own problems while this is going on?

Good Food

Never underestimate the power of a good meal. Personally, I like to lose myself in the act of cooking, but going out to eat also does the trick. Whether you’re meeting up with friends for a quick bite, spending the big bucks on a nice meal, or settling in for a quiet home cooked TV dinner, make sure you taste that food and savor every bite. Absolutely nothing is better than a satisfactory meal.

Preach, Hippocrates.

Hot Showers

Nothing can wash away your worries like a steaming hot shower. Hot water is therapeutic to the body and the mind. Take an extra minute in your morning or evening shower (assuming that, hopefully, you shower every day) to reconnect your mind with your body and ground yourself. And don’t rush to get out—the longer the shower, the better.

See, look how happy she is!

Tea

While my one true love will always be coffee, I’ve recently started to take pleasure in the soothing qualities of a hot cup of tea. Take some teatime before bed to unwind, slow down your brain, and just plain relax. Even better, drink some tea while you watch Netflix. Now you’re really relaxing.

mmm, soothing.

Music

The great part about music is that it can capture whatever it is you’re feeling, even if that feeling is one of utter confusion. If you’re feeling upset, put on an upbeat playlist and let the music work its magic. Blast it so loud that it drowns out the sound of your own nagging thoughts. Music is therapy, so get out your iPod and start jamming.

The Sun

Now this is one we can’t control, especially in this here great state of Michigan, but that’s what makes it all the more special. During a long cold winter, we can go days on end without seeing the sun, and that makes life seem all the more oppressive. But on those fine days when Mr. Golden Sun does decide to shine down on you, soak in every single ray possible. If its still freezing out, sit by a window. Nothing feels better than a blue sky and a warm sun. Take comfort in the fact that even if it decides to hide behind snowy clouds for months on end, it will always return, and every day that it does is special.

These simple pleasures might seem obvious, but that’s the point. They are simple, and focusing on them makes life seem a bit simpler, especially when we find ourselves overcomplicating it. Make time in your day to feel what makes you happy because, while the confusion isn’t going anywhere, it doesn’t have to consume you.

 

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