Feeling overly busy? Stressed? A little too aware of the state of the world?

Even if you have NO time to spare, let’s make a pact to take a few minutes today (and tomorrow and the next day) to revel in in simple pleasures and cozy moments. To find bliss in the everyday … bliss that will seep into the rest of your day (and that you can revisit whenever you “need a minute”).

Here are a dozen cozy ways to find your bliss, in just one, two, or five minutes.
1. Go outside and admire a tree.
2. Light a candle that smells like summer … or fall … or a deep, dark forest … or old books.
3. Open a window and listen to the birds.
4. Soak up a bit of sunshine.
5. Close your eyes and listen to classical music that “reminds” you of somewhere fabulous you’ve never been.
6. Eat a slice of cake for breakfast, or ice cream for lunch. Put whipped cream on your coffee.
7. If you get summer cicadas where you live, spend a few minutes outside while they’re singing, and just listen.
8. Walk barefoot in the grass.
9. Sit on the porch, or near an open window, during a thunderstorm.
10. As fallen leaves pile up during autumn, kick through them on your walks and make as much leaf-crunching noise as possible.
11. Steep a mug of hot tea, and focus on the scent and the curling steam.
12. Read one or more of our comforting, cozy Tiny Garden Stories.

Your daily me-time, your daily bliss — whether it’s an entire indulgent afternoon, 30 minutes of quiet time, or nothing more than 3 deep breaths every hour — is precious and magical and yours alone. Even if all you can claim for yourself today is 5 minutes or less, don’t let anyone talk you into giving it up. Be intentional about how you choose to spend your time and, whatever you do, savor it.