simple pleasures

It’s not uncommon for us, youth, to hear the phrase, “Live in the moment.” Another favorite of mine? “Enjoy the little things.” Perhaps from our guidance counselors, our mothers, and our elders. As if it's the universal cure for everything! For our worries, our fears, our current situation, for our negative thoughts that seem to only grow stronger the more we try not to think about them.

I’ll be honest.

I was skeptical too. I probably would’ve laughed, rolled my eyes, or taken offense if you had told me that relishing in the simple pleasures in life will solve a whole lot of my problems. Frankly, if you’re anything like me: your first thought when you come across such a slogan is likely something along the lines of: Pleasure can’t be simple. Pain isn’t simple.

Here is where I’d stress to you that maybe, (just maybe!), it's not that crazy a theory at all.

Maybe, the key to zooming out a bit from all the stress is really zooming in a bit more on all the beautiful things, no matter how small they seem. So, in honor of seizing the day - of proving to you that, yes, it's all worth it - I’ve compiled a list of 58 of these so-called “simple” reasons to celebrate life and more importantly, the fact that you’re a part of it.

• Waking up to the sound of songbirds on a sunny morning

• The smell of spring

• Coffee shops

• Silent art galleries

• Spilling your heart out on a page

• Perfectly articulating that idea in your head you’ve had on the tip of your tongue for ages

• Exploring a new city

• Bumping into the most interesting characters in the most unassuming places

• Late-night patio conversations long after you’ve forgotten your dinner is finished

• Snuggling up with a warm drink as you watch your comfort show

• Vivid, memorable dreams

• Waves of nostalgia

• Finding your inner child

• Books, books, books

• Sunsets at dusk in the summertime

• The way your dog waits all day for you just to come back home

• Reading a quote or a song lyric that fully encapsulates your being

• Being looked up to by a loved one, by a friend, or by a stranger

• When a child gives you the courage to face your greatest fears or offers you an unlikely piece of wisdom

• Sitting by a riverbed, a mountain gorge, an empty field

• Thunderstorms

• Empty beaches

• Witnessing moments you wish you could have caught on camera and telling stories to keep the memory alive

• Watching your friends burst into laughter over something you said under your breath

• Laughing so hard until your chest hurts

• Being the first to say hi to someone you’ve never said hi to before

• Jumping into pools with your clothes on

• Playing in the backyard sprinklers in bare feet

• Keeping secrets and sharing winks with your grandma

• Hearing a catchy song for the first time

• Spotting a shooting star

• Noticing a specific family trait your ancestor handed down to you

• Dedicated best friends and understanding strangers

• Finding those who share the same amount of passion for exactly what you’re passionate about

• Feeling like you belong

• Warm laundry fresh out of the dryer

• Clean sheets and cold pillows

• Finally getting home to collapse on the bed after a grueling day at work

• Feeling rejuvenated after a workout

• Making your family proud

• Feeling acknowledged and appreciated

• Embracing your authentic self

• Not caring what others could think about it

• Finding those who are just as weird and wonderful (and just as supportive)

• Believing in your best self

• Standing up for what you believe in

• Getting hyped up by a stranger

• Seeing your hard work pay off

• Handwritten letters and hand-made gifts

• Curating heaps of personal playlists for every imaginable occasion

• Finding out that boy or girl you’re nervous around is nervous around you too

• Inside jokes

• People who can share in your silence without it being awkward

• Meeting someone who’s just as genuine and open as yourself

• Realizing you don’t have to take things so seriously after all

• Letting it out and letting things go

• Shedding happy tears

• Learning to love yourself every step of the way

Yours Truly,

Dear Youth Global