The Chill List: 18 Ways to Feel More Chill

Eighteen years ago, we started Chill with a simple belief: life is better when things are a little more relaxed. Since then, the world has changed in a thousand ways - smartphones arrived, social media took over, and life somehow got busier than ever. But through it all, we've held onto that same philosophy.

'Chill' isn't just our name, it's a way of living. We believe life is more enjoyable when you can take a breath, slow down, and appreciate the small moments that make everything feel a bit easier.

To celebrate our 18th birthday, we've put together The Chill List - eighteen simple, tried-and-tested ways to bring more calm into your everyday. These aren't grand gestures or expensive treats. They're the little things that help reset your day, clear your head, and remind you that life doesn't always have to feel like a race.

The Chill List

1. That first coffee before the house wakes up
There's magic in those five quiet minutes - hot mug in hand, no emails, no children calling your name, no noise. Just you, the kettle, and a pocket of peace before the day takes off. Pure bliss.

2. A Sunday dip in the Irish Sea
Freezing? Absolutely. But stepping out of that water with a clear head and salty hair creates the kind of natural high that money can't buy. Your body might protest, but your mind will thank you.

3. A walk without your phone
We all promise ourselves we'll do it, but how often do we actually leave the phone at home? Twenty minutes of walking without buzzing notifications gives your brain the reset it desperately needs.

4. Fresh sheets on a Friday night
Clean bedding after a long week feels like wrapping yourself in a small victory. Add a hot water bottle and a good book, and you've created your own personal sanctuary.

5. That Sunday GAA atmosphere
Whether you're cheering from the stands or watching in the local pub, there's something about GAA Sundays that brings communities together. The shared excitement, the collective groans, the post-match analysis over pints.

6. Finally sorting that thing you've been putting off for months
You know the one - that admin task that's been lurking on your mental to-do list forever. Put on your favourite song and challenge yourself to finish before it ends. When you discover it takes three minutes instead of the hour you'd imagined, the relief is magnificent.

7. A proper fireside pint
Find yourself a pub with a real fire, settle into a worn leather chair, and nurse a pint while watching the flames dance. Bonus points if there's a dog sleeping nearby and gentle conversation humming in the background.

8. The first warm day that lets you sit outside
After months of winter coats and grey skies, that first day when you can comfortably sit in the garden with a cup of tea feels like winning the weather lottery.

9. Cooking something that smells like home
Whether it's your grandmother's brown bread recipe, a slow-simmering stew, or whatever takes you back to childhood kitchens, cooking something that fills the house with familiar aromas is pure comfort.

10. A bookshop browse with nowhere to be
No agenda, no shopping list, just wandering between shelves and letting your curiosity guide you. Pick up random books, read first chapters, discover something unexpected.

11. Watching the sunrise (or sunset) without photographing it
Just stand there and watch the sky change colours without reaching for your phone. Let your eyes be the camera and your memory be the storage.

12. Taking the long way home
Sometimes the most relaxing part of your day is those extra ten minutes in the car with your favourite playlist, or choosing the scenic route that adds five minutes but lets you decompress before walking through the front door.

13. Completing your to-do list by lunchtime
The satisfaction of ticking off every task before noon leaves you feeling like you've conquered the world. The rest of the day becomes a bonus rather than a burden.

14. A spontaneous detour on a familiar journey
Taking the scenic route home, discovering a new café, or stumbling across a market you've never noticed. Sometimes the best moments happen when you're not rushing towards them.

15. Catch up with old friends
The kind of conversation where you pick up exactly where you left off, sharing stories and updates that remind you why these people matter. Time melts away when you're with the right company.

16. Getting into bed with fresh pyjamas
There's something luxurious about slipping into clean, soft pyjamas after a shower. It's like giving yourself permission to properly unwind and leave the day behind.

17. The silence after everyone goes to bed
When the house finally settles and you can hear yourself think again. No requests, no questions, no background noise - just peaceful quiet and the sound of your own breathing.

18. Having everything ready the night before
Clothes laid out, bag packed, lunch made, keys in the same spot. When your morning runs like clockwork because you've set yourself up for success, you start the day feeling calm instead of frantic.

These eighteen moments might seem ordinary, but they're the threads that weave together a life that feels a little less frantic and a lot more fulfilling. They remind us that happiness often lives in the spaces between our big plans and busy schedules.

As we celebrate eighteen years of keeping insurance simple and hassle-free, we're grateful for all the customers who've trusted us to handle the boring stuff so they can focus on the good stuff. Here's to eighteen more years of Chill, and to all the small moments that make life feel a little easier.