Oscar Wilde once said, “Simple pleasures are always the last refuge of the complex.” And as our lives get increasingly complex and stressful, we seem to enjoy less of what life has to offer.

Because we have no time. Because we have too many obligations. Because we ruminate on the past and worry about the future. Because we don’t make simple pleasures a priority. Because…

Pleasure is always the last thing on our to-do list. And most of the time, we just never manage to get there.

I’m guilty as charged. And I notice that when I put off pleasures for an extended period of time, I get depressed, irritable, moody and tired. I become dry and uninspired. And life becomes dull and less interesting.

Recently, I made a decision to put pleasure and enjoyment on the top of my list of daily priorities. And I plan to do at least one pleasurable thing every day.

Here’s my list of simple pleasures:

1. Sit under the sun

2. Savor a cup of herbal tea

3. Stop and smell a flower

4. Make a healthy and balanced meal

5. Go for a walk during a break

6. Smile

7. Have a yummy hug

8. Play with my cat

9. Learn something new

10. Take a warm shower

11. Light a stick of incense

12. Give myself a facial massage

13. Meditate every morning

14. Light a candle for dinner

15. Say hello to a stranger

16. Do a few PC pumps to energize my body

17. Taste fresh berries

18. Have a cup of miso soup

19. Walk on the grass

20. Dress up and express myself

21. Have a big stretch when I wake up

22. Rotate my neck and shoulder after spending an hour at my computer

23. Record my mood on my Mood Runner iPhone app

24. Dance

25. Do yoga

26. Have a glass of red wine

27. Watch an interesting movie

28. Have a piece of dark chocolate

29. Talk to a friend

30. Go for a hike in the nature

31. Take a hot bath

32. Massage my body with essential oils

33. Write a post

34. Help a stranger

35. Have a picnic

36. Check out a new restaurant

37. Visit a museum

38. Go to a park

39. Read a book

40. Call my mother

41. Have fresh flowers in the house

42. Go to bed at 11pm every night

43. Cuddle with my boyfriend

44. Get a foot massage

45. Notice something I’ve never noticed before

46. Keep my home clean

47. Listen to my favorite music

48. Have a dinner party

49. Really taste and enjoy a meal

50. Practice Qigong

51. Write down my ideas on a notepad

52. Rediscover old clothes that I haven’t worn for a long time

53. Share my appreciations

54. Give complements

55. Find a good quality in everyone I meet

56. Return a shopping cart to its place

57. Go grocery shopping every Sunday afternoon

58. Get away from the city once a while

59. Have lunch with a good friend

60. Make a new friend

61. Have my teacup with me wherever I go

62. Receive comments for my posts

63. Respond to a question from a Cycle Harmony friend

64. Connect with women from all over the world

65. Read an inspiring quote (on Facebook)

66. Go for a walk on the beach

67. Water my plants

68. Take a nap

69. Give myself permission to make mistakes

70. Be playful

71. Sing under the moon

72. Wash my cloth menstrual pad

73. Wear a piece of jewelry

74. Receive a letter or a package in the mail

75. Sleep in fresh, clean bed sheets

76. Have a restful sleep with sweet dreams

77. Make homemade sweet potato fries

78. Enjoy a meal my boyfriend makes for me

79. Receive a sweet love note every morning

80. Have a good laugh

81. Hold hands

82. Have a movie night out with friends

83. Sleep in

84. Express myself creatively

85. Hang out with girls and talk about girly things

86. Bring home a piece of rock from a hike

87. Enjoy a nice breeze

88. Listen to the singing birds

89. Listen to the sound of waves

90. Go for a swim

91. Have a nice golf swing

92. Have a glass of beer on a hot day

93. Visit a place I’ve never been

94. Revisit my favorite places

95. Plan for an adventure

96. Have a meditation retreat

97. Drive up the coast

98. Visit my family

99. Have my cat sitting on my lap when I work

100. Find more pleasures in life

What are some things you find pleasurable? Please share! I’d love to expand my list.

I’d also encourage you to create your own list, and do at least one pleasurable thing every day!