Fancy Making a Joy List?

We often have a bucket list, a collection of big, bold goals we want to tick off before we leave this world. These are usually grand ambitions: a trip to a faraway place, learning a new language, writing a book, mastering an instrument. Beautiful dreams that take time, money, and dedication.

But what if we also had a list that celebrated the smaller things? The everyday moments that lift our spirits and bring us joy without requiring a passport, a savings account, or a five-year plan.

Let me introduce the idea of a Joy List.

A Joy List is made up of simple pleasures. The low-cost, easily accessible things that spark delight. They might not get Instagram likes or change your life overnight, but they shift something inside you. They soften the edges of a hard day. They remind you that joy doesn’t always shout; sometimes, it whispers.

You might even want two lists:

Your Bucket List for the big, bold dreams.

Your Joy List for the small, soulful moments.

So what belongs on a Joy List?

Start small.

Think about your days, what are your favourite parts?

Is it that first cup of coffee, made just right, warming your hands and calming your mind?

Is it walking by water, feeding the ducks, and letting your thoughts drift?

Or hearing that song on the radio that makes you feel 17 again?

Maybe for you, it’s the quiet pride of a freshly made bed.

Or the first deep breath of fresh air in the morning.

Or the laughter of someone you love.

These moments matter.

They are the tiny stitches in the fabric of a good life.

So… how about you?

What would go on your Joy List?

Try it. No rules, no pressure.

Just take a few minutes to jot down the small things that bring you joy.

You might be surprised by how much happiness is already hiding in your everyday.