What small thing helped you appreciate life more?
For me its taking morning walks.
Being deliberately thankful.
It's easy and natural to focus on what is wrong. That is good it drives us to improve.
I learned to do more than that. At the end of the day my wife and I list of a few things we are thankful for. It turns out this makes us way happier. It's not usually big things. I list things like I'm thankful that we have time and money to have a puppy.
Life is better than we recognize.
Taking time out from my job and responsibilities to engage in personal hobby programming projects (e.g. games). When I muster enough energy to actually engage in this, it makes me remember how much joy life can give you, rather than just being a constant grind.
It's also refreshing to have a sense of complete creative control over a thing, rather than being subject to external whims; the latter of which gradually chip away at your humanity.
Taking shrooms while snorkeling off the Osa peninsula in Costa Rica. Looking at the beauty of the fish and coral ecosystems and then looking at the dense rain forest on the landing, thinking that it’s just an extension of the coral.
Now that it's warmer outside, having tea with my wife on the porch while soaking up some rays. Also, like you OP, I started to walk around the neighbourhood. Fresh air, the sun, and enjoying the wind. Nature is a hell of a drug.
cycling, specially in these lockdown times. i'm not referring to racing or your road cycling. just getting on a bike and cycling somewhere, even randomly. i don't know why but i feel particularly free when i'm just cycling around. it has helped me improve my mental health. getting back to running too.
Kids. They're a lot smarter than people give them credit for. Discuss philosophy with my three year old. Have a conversation with my 6 month old baby. Even though I don't understand his language, I could guess at what he's saying. And one of my favorite moments is just sitting in the garage having a tea party with the kids.
It's also nice to have someone love you unconditionally, and someone you can give to and share everything with, without expecting anything back.
I swear I am not joking: playing with and taking care of cats.
Analog technology. Anything digital increasingly feels like work, but analog tech is often a joy to use. e.g bikes, small boats, hand tools, old cameras and hi-fi. I drove an old car recently, and the simplicity of it was really nice. It did have a radio, but no screen or ‘media centre’.
Lately it's been grilling and eating in my backyard. Some fresh air and hearing the birds chirp is great. Also seeing the Siberian Squills bloom in my neighborhood, painting the ground with a pretty blue/violet color.
A short moment of quiet introspection, wherever or whenever, which usually results in deep appreciation for both the moment and my life as a whole.
Also, really good espresso.
Growing vegetables... the mistery of nature unfolds before your eyes. And yet, some of that mistery is still concealed and at times you feel like witnessing a bit of magic!
An existential crisis, small and portable, just don't do it too frequently. A little bit like spinning up a big flywheel.
Ice cream. sounds like cliche from chick flicks but apparently it is based on fact.
Having a baby.
Well it was small at first!
My dog
Playing Music
Eating at restaurants