Size matters. No, I’m serious, it does, just not in the way you think it does. Like many Cambridge students, everything about my life has always felt big. Big ambitions, big brains, and big ideals. It’s no surprise that we can end up feeling so small in this big place at times. As someone who comes from a place with double the population of Cambridge, I know it to be, probably at least geographically, a small place. But when you’re drowning in the shadows of darkened turrets and illustrious legacies, it’s only natural that you feel yourself shrinking down from the size you thought you were in sixth form.

Last summer, someone special (not my mum, by the way, though she is special) told me that it’s good to think about the small things in life, more specifically, the simple pleasures. At first, I thought it sounded like a load of waffle, or an inspired Hinge prompt, or simply, a sexual innuendo of sorts (come on, the jokes write themselves). Is there any such thing as a simple pleasure in life? Any moment of bliss we experience immediately becomes tainted with guilt, feelings that we should be doing more, we don’t deserve small blissful moments, or even, we deserve more after working so hard. It’s hard to become satisfied with any size.

“At first, I thought it sounded like a load of waffle, or an inspired Hinge prompt, or simply, a sexual innuendo of sorts (come on, the jokes write themselves)”

But it got me to think about the value and beauty of the small things in life, and how it’s been ever so easy to take these simple pleasures for granted. They’re easy enough to access and enjoy, which, although crucial in times of stress, have led them to being left on the shelf of special moments. In an attempt to share some love for the small things, and in what could be seen as a therapy homework, I have compiled a list of some of my favourite things that cheer me up, in the hopes of inspiring joy for you, our lovely reader! Enjoy!

In the classic ‘mindfulness’ and ‘grounding’ exercises that were probably drilled into you if you ever saw a school counsellor, it was all about sensory experiences. However, the thought of having to get some essential oils or animal postcards out is more stressful than balancing a degree and a social life. Nonetheless, when I think about simple pleasures, a lot of them are audio based. Since I was a child, I’ve always loved the sound of rain on a window, especially when you’re inside, sheltered from the storm outside. Though Cambridge is one of the driest places in the UK, I’m not sure this is a high bar, which is perfect for listening to the pitter-patter on your window pane. I love to pair this with a cup of tea in the morning (conveniently another simple pleasure). There’s very little in this world that matches the joy of hearing your favourite song, especially when it comes up on shuffle after a long day. Though I’m no stranger to depressing music, this works best with an uplifting song; in true cheesy Brit style, my favourite song of all time is ‘Come on Eileen’, which never fails to put me in a good mood (and you’re lying if you disagree).

“There’s very little in this world that matches the joy of hearing your favourite song, especially when it comes up on shuffle after a long day”

With summer coming up, there’s nothing like a cold drink on a hot sunny day, especially when you’ve been rushing around all day. For maximum pleasure, I’d recommend doing this in a group. Sitting in your favourite pub garden, surrounded by your nearest and dearest, while sipping a pint or a glass of white wine, or even a lemonade, is an unmatched euphoria. The limited time-scale to do this makes it all the more precious, because how often do we get hot weather in the UK?

One of the most beautiful sights in life is a sunset. And sure, if I was more of a morning person, I’d agree on the allure of a sunrise, but for now I’m choosing sunsets. Just sitting on a bench, or on top of a hill, while watching the sky change its watercolour appearance, is one of the most incredible works of nature. Taking in such a view gives you a minute to regulate all of your emotions and stress.

So, why not try out a new simple pleasure, or think about what actually makes you happy in the tumultuous times of Cambridge? Yeah, it might sound a bit stupid and pretentious, but once you’ve gotten out of your own head about how cringe it can be to enjoy life, you will actually enjoy your time more. Crazy concept, I know! Best case scenario, you’re able to enjoy a moment’s peace in a stressful time. And worst case scenario, you have a new Hinge prompt (and how bad can that really be?).