Talking About Simple Pleasures in English

Want to expand your vocabulary a bit and learn how to express yourself more naturally? You're in the right place.

In this post, we’re going to explore the language of simple pleasures — those small moments that bring a sense of peace, comfort, or joy to everyday life. We'll look at natural English expressions, emotion-rich adjectives, and sentence prompts you can use for journaling or English speaking practice.

Whether you're learning English as part of a daily routine or just looking for a soft, reflective moment in your day — this is for you.

Download Free Transcript PDF (Plus Bonus Prompts)

Simple Pleasures - Learn English With Jo

What Are Simple Pleasures?

Simple pleasures are the small, often overlooked things that make life feel more beautiful: a cup of coffee in the morning, clean sheets, a walk in the sunshine. In English, especially in British culture, we talk about these moments quite a lot. They come up in small talk, in casual conversation, and even in books and podcasts.

A little while ago, a friend gave me a beautiful book called Small Pleasures by The School of Life — it’s not fiction and not exactly self-help either. It’s a collection of short reflections on the joy of everyday life.

A few of my favourite entries include:

• A hot bath

• Old photos of parents

• A favourite old jumper

• The charm of cows

• The friend who listens

Each one reminds us to slow down and notice the good stuff.

Useful Expressions to Talk About Small Pleasures

If you want to describe moments like this in English, here are some natural expressions you can use:

• There’s something so comforting about...
  There’s something so comforting about sitting in bed with a book and a cup of tea.

• I find real joy in...
  I find real joy in cooking something simple and delicious.

• One of life’s little pleasures is...
  One of life’s little pleasures is not setting an alarm on Sunday.

• It’s the little things like... that mean the most.
  It’s the little things like a warm hug or a kind message that mean the most.

• It instantly lifts my mood.
  Fresh coffee in the morning instantly lifts my mood.

Adjectives to Describe Positive Feelings

Here are some lovely English adjectives you can use to describe how these moments feel:

• Soothing – calming and gentle
  I find being near water really soothing.

• Cosy – warm, safe, and comfortable
  Lighting a candle in the evening feels cosy and calming.

• Heartwarming – emotionally uplifting
  The smell of freshly baked bread is heartwarming.

• Satisfying – brings pleasure or relief
  After a long day, a good meal and rest feel so satisfying.

• Nostalgic – reminds you of the past in a warm, sentimental way
  Old songs can feel incredibly nostalgic.

English Speaking or Journaling Prompts

Try speaking out loud or writing a response to these prompts. Don’t worry about making mistakes — this is your time to practise.

1. One small thing that makes me feel happy is…

2. When I need to relax, I…

3. A little everyday luxury for me is…

Here are my answers to get you started:

• One small thing that makes me feel happy is when my family is together and we’re laughing.

• When I need to relax, I switch off and curl up on the sofa with a book.

• A little everyday luxury for me is spending five minutes cuddling my dog and staring out the window.

Your Turn: Share a Small Pleasure

What’s one small thing that brings you joy? It might be:

• The smell of fresh laundry

• The feel of the sun on your face

• The sound of birds in the morning

• A favourite old jumper

I'd love to hear from you — leave a comment or try writing about it in your journal or voice note app. The more you practise using this kind of language, the more natural it will feel.