Delight

The joy of small things

In 1949, in an effort to lift national spirits in the aftermath of the war, JB Priestley published a collection of essays detailing his considerations of life’s simple pleasures. A charming compilation full of lucid thoughts and humorous observation. I came across Delight in the last lockdown, whiling away hours in the sunshine reading Priestley’s collection and making note of my favourites; making stew, getting a great idea, waking to the smell of bacon and coffee, drinking gin and tonic accompanied by some potato crisps and moments in the morning “when I arrive in my study like a demi-god who has been given a planet to play with”. Some are on the more eclectic end of the spectrum; having one’s fortune told, metaphysicians and delighting in Members of a Secret Brotherhood whilst the joy of Not Going to a party feels acutely unrelatable in these times.

The meditative collection serves to remind us of the joy of simplicity and whilst it feels rather crass to lump Priestley’s work in the ‘self-care’ section, or indeed suggest that he fathered the notion of ‘daily gratitudes’, the idea behind the work feels in-line with what we have come to know as modern-day mindfulness. In the historic year of chaos and unpredictability that is 2020, Priestley’s work feels all the more timely. As we navigate our way through this tempestuous time, the exercise of listing life’s small joys can change attitudes towards our day-to-day. A reminder to delight in our existence even in uncertainty. A balm for when all around us is out of control. This week I rediscovered my copy on the bottom of my bedside table stack and decided, as I flicked through again, to start recording my own. Here are a few of mine:

Sunday papers. A Negroni. Baths. Swimming in the Sea. Toast. Flowers. Long walks. Clean sheets. Tea. The smell of coffee brewing. Receiving unexpected post. Reading a good book in bed. Roast chicken. Hugs.