‘I organised my spices – and feel happy every time I cook!’ 12 readers on their most rewarding tiny accomplishments

Sometimes, it’s the smallest accomplishments that bring the biggest feelings of joy. You don’t need to run a marathon or write a novel to get a sense of achievement; something as simple as reorganising your cutlery drawer or repairing a garden fence can prove surprisingly satisfying. Here, readers share the modest achievements that have brought them great pleasure.

I really enjoy cooking and have a large collection of spices. Recently, I bought a few dozen glass bottles and organised my herbs and spices in a drawer, with labels on the lids and sides. Every time I cook, I feel pleasure from being able to instantly put my hand on the requisite spice without fumbling through piles of little boxes, and having to open and smell them to be sure which is which. Anna Smith, musician, Utrecht, the Netherlands

View image in fullscreen

I love using a sharp saw to cut a piece of wood as accurately as I can, then planing the end grain so it is pretty much dead square. The grain glistens beautifully as the light hits it, and the feeling of having done something simple but essential, using only basic hand-tools, is its own reward. Anonymous, teacher, Derby

I love getting arduous tasks done with ease using little hacks. A good example is using sugar soap to clean greasy surfaces in the kitchen. It is also very effective on the grout between tiles. Just give it a little scrub (you can even use an old electric toothbrush), leave overnight, then wipe off with a damp cloth for lovely white grout! Louise Wong, legal assistant, London

I don’t buy anything new or secondhand; I use what I already have, adapt things and shop my own wardrobe. It means I save a large percentage of my salary (compared with others) and I spend that money on my passions and priorities: pottery, art classes and coastal path walking. Rachel Smith, urban planner, Medway

View image in fullscreen

On several occasions, I have dropped a bar of soap in the shower, only to catch it again, eyes closed, without fumbling. I was once washing upwards from my chest to my shoulder and the soap escaped, but I caught it behind my back. It’s even more satisfying than my uncanny ability to load exactly the right number of sheets of paper into the printer when printing long documents. Ed, writer, Bebington

I recently had a second baby and I found so much joy in batch-cooking and labelling containers of food towards the end of my pregnancy. Seeing the freezer full of meals, all neatly stacked, felt great. Top tier nesting activity. Lucy J Huskisson, art technician, Bristol

I love hollyhocks, but I have never had any success growing them from seeds. Two years ago, I was passing a house where someone was cutting down their hollyhocks – the flowers had died and in their place were little pods of seeds. I asked her for some and planted them – they take two years to grow. Now, I have a front garden full of them. Sarah Linklett, London

View image in fullscreen

I recently learned how to make bread for the first time and it is giving me great joy. It’s so simple, yet hugely satisfying and rewarding. The smell brings me back to my childhood. I hope those same smells are as comforting to my kids as they were to me when I was younger. Caroline, radio producer, Ireland

I find joy in hanging the washing on the line in a neat and organised row. Trousers have to be hung up from the waistband, and tops hung from the bottom hem, alternating items for maximum drying. It’s incredibly satisfying to know I’m doing a chore that means my clothes will be dry and fresh for free. Kirsty, social worker, Bradford

Discovering acrylic painting has brought me so much joy. I started learning completely on my own, watching short videos, trying different techniques, making mistakes and simply seeing what happens. When I paint, I become completely absorbed in what I’m doing, and for me it has become one of the best forms of meditation. It calms me, helps me disconnect from everything else, and gives me a nice sense of accomplishment when I see something taking shape on the canvas. I love that there is no pressure for it to be perfect. I can experiment, learn and just enjoy the process. It has become a very special source of calm, creativity and happiness in my life. Cintia Procaci, consultant, Luxembourg

View image in fullscreen

I love vacuuming. It gives me peace and, unlike work-related endeavours that tend to pay dividends days, months or years down the line, once you’re done vacuuming you can enjoy the rewards immediately. It’s the opposite of cooking, a task that involves labouring for an hour in order to enjoy a meal for a whole 10 minutes (or less). With vacuuming, you invest 10 minutes and get several days’ worth of domestic bliss. It’s the one task I refuse to let the robots take away from me. Ana Fota, reporter and content creator, Brussels

I love to feed the birds. My casita is blessed with trees and I’ve grown to love the twitters of the finches, and the hums and clicks of the hummingbirds. I’ve joyously invested in a bird feeder and a suet cake holder, a nectar repository with perches, a nyjer sock and a birdbath with two tiny resin birds decorating the rim. My happiness after cleaning the birdbath, changing out the nectar and replenishing the bird seed can’t be bought. I feel I’m making a difference for companions who reward me daily with their songs and fluttering wings. Susan, writer, US