10 Little Joys That Make Our Day Better (And the Products That Help)

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Life doesn’t have to be all big milestones and bucket-list moments. Sometimes it’s the small, everyday joys that carry us through—the warm cup in our hands at sunrise, the laughter shared over dinner, or even that one tool that makes daily life just a little smoother.

Here are 10 little joys that brighten our days, plus the products that help make them possible. Maybe you’ll find some inspiration (or a new favorite) to add into your own daily rhythm.

1. The First Sip of Morning Tea

We’ve never been a house of coffee drinkers.  Love the smell, but not the taste.  However, we do love a nice cup of tea.  There’s something about that first sip, and the ritual of it all.  Hunny loves a cup of hot tea while Hubs likes iced tea.

What we love: 

Yogi Tea - The taste and aroma are wonderful!  Hunny loves sipping one of these during the first morning meetings of the day. (Bonus! Yogi Tea has uplifting words on the tea tags.)  

Single Cup Coffee Maker - Even though we don’t enjoy coffee, we love the convenience of heating up just the right amount of water for our morning cup of joy.

Iced Tea Maker - Hubs likes to brew his own tea and place it in the fridge.  He can’t stand drinking water, so he purchases decaf tea for his brewing.

Our favorite coffee mugs - We absolutely love Corkcicle!  These mugs hold the heat and you can find them in a variety of colors or styles to bring you joy. 

2. Lighting a Candle During Quiet Time

A flickering flame instantly changes the mood of the house. It reminds us to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the moment.

What we love: 

Non-toxic soy candles with calming scents like lavender or vanilla. The scent of lavender is so relaxing and brings a nice sense of peace.  

Not a fan of lighting candles, but still want a relaxing scent?  Hunny recommends an essential oil diffuser. 

3. A Cozy Blanket on the Couch

Whether it’s early morning journaling or an evening movie with the kids, wrapping up in a soft blanket makes everything better.

What we love: Oversized throws that are machine-washable (because real life happens).  I love a good blanket.  I also love it when I can switch out with the seasons.  What I don’t love is that my boys tend to steal my blankets!  They love the soft material and somehow they always come up missing. 

4. Writing in a Journal

A quick gratitude list helps anchor us.  I love the journals that have gratitude prompts, however, sometimes I just like something that is pretty and brings me joy.

What we love: Guided journals with prompts when we don’t know what to write.

5. Cooking a Family Meal

Sharing food is one of our love languages. Even on the busiest days, a quick stir-fry or sheet pan dinner feels grounding.  With our family mix, we have to have different meals a lot of the time, but spending the time together is what is most important.  

What we love: Non-stick, non-toxic sheet pans and sharp chef’s knives that make prep easier.

Find our 10 favorite meal prep items here:  Our Top 10 Must-Have Items for Meal Prep

6. A Walk Together

Even 10 minutes outside shifts everything—our moods, our energy, our connection.

What we love: Supportive walking shoes and weather friendly attire help us do this throughout the year.  

7. Fresh Flowers on the Table

A small vase of wildflowers or store-bought blooms turns dinner into an occasion and makes our home feel alive.  Fun trick:  Use a favorite cup or mug as a vase.  Smaller vases can make a small bouquet of flowers look like you pulled out all the stops. 

What we love: Simple vases that add to the simple joy of the flowers.

8. Listening to Music While Cooking or Cleaning

A good playlist makes chores less of a “have to” and more of a “get to.”  Now you just have to figure out who gets to pick tonight’s playlist!

What we love: A small Bluetooth speaker that moves from room to room with us. 

9. A Cup of Tea Before Bed

Herbal tea is our signal to unwind. The ritual helps us slow down before sleep, and it feels like a hug in a mug.

What we love: Yogi tea, of course!  For bedtime, Hunny enjoys the Soothing Caramel Bedtime or Honey Lavender Stress Relief. 

And don’t forget the convenience of this coffee maker to heat the water. 

10. Holding Hands

It costs nothing, but it means everything. Reaching for each other’s hand is our way of saying, “I’m here with you.” And don’t forget the mood benefits!  When you hold hands with a loved one, your body often releases oxytocin, sometimes called the “love hormone” or “cuddle hormone.”

Oxytocin is linked with:

• Bonding and connection

• Reducing stress and lowering cortisol

• Boosting feelings of trust and safety

• Even lowering blood pressure and heart rate

Along with oxytocin, you may also get a boost of dopamine (pleasure/reward) and serotonin (mood regulation), which all work together to make touch and closeness so soothing.

What we love: Okay, this one doesn’t need a product—just the reminder to pause and connect.

Final Thoughts

Life is full of hustle and noise, but it’s often these tiny joys that create the biggest memories. If you try one or two of these, I hope they brighten your day as much as they do ours.