The joy of small things

That’s the title of a book by Hannah Jane Parkinson (HJP), about savouring the small pleasures in life.

It caught my attention because it taps into my love of the smallest of things, and what that leads to – being what I call “disproportionately pleased” about something.  Its very own joy, with its very own HSP intensity.

I love tiny details, small animals, little wooden boxes.  Even the littlest sauce jug – I once asked to buy an inch tall one from a restaurant after I’d eaten there.  It was so cute, and cost me all of £2!

Tiny moments can be exquisite too.  Like the instant one groove smooths into another when turning wood on a lathe.  Or a ginger cat curling up alongside and its stripes lining up in a perfect spiral (I particularly love ginger things).

I was curious to see what HJP had included in her list of small pleasures.

I related to so many: like silence, autumn leaves, gig encores, patterns, trainers, the smell of wood, acknowledgements, hand-written letters.  Resonating was its own pleasure.

I laughed out loud at sharing some: loving techno music, finding some fonts unexpectedly soothing, mint (though not when its roots take hold in the garden).

Others were more baffling: pharmacists, blue plaques, polling day?  But finding out why was fun.  And it gave me a sense of ‘compersion’ (empathic pleasure) – a new word, courtesy of HJP.

The book led me beyond what I already know brings me joy (sunrises, sunsets, time with people I love, music, deep conversations, quotes, hugs, sport, duvet-cocooning, photography, shapes in architecture).

Amongst others, it took me to owls, libraries, curved beaches, dodgem cars, espresso martinis, cheese scones (especially when made by a friend), having favourite jumpers, and socks, and a hood that fits.

Arriving at a bus stop just before the bus, finely chopping vegetables, putting in the last piece of a jigsaw, tradesmen turning up when they say they will, the snooze button on my morning alarm.

At this time in history, I realise how lucky I am to ponder on such trivia.  And it feels grounding, even necessary, to see the joy in small things as an antidote to the ‘big’ horrors in the world.

So thank you HJP for helping this HSP remember to be grateful and to soak in joy where I find it.

What small things give you joy?  What leaves you feeling disproportionately pleased or soothed?  What helps nourish and recharge you?