How to be happy: 'Cooking together'

The top image is 'broccoli'.
Its flower language is 'small happiness'.
Even in a casual dish on the dining table,
and while you are making it,
happiness is alive.

The time spent standing side-by-side in the kitchen
is not just for preparing a meal.
Being in the same place as someone else, feeling the same aromas,
and working toward the same goal.
That alone mysteriously fills the heart.

This time, we will think about 'cooking together'
and happiness.

A place where conversation naturally arises

When talking face-to-face,
you might feel a little guarded.
But it's different when you are cooking.

While chopping vegetables and watching the heat,
words spill out bit by bit.

It doesn't have to be about anything special.
Things that happened today, or trivial matters.

That casual conversation
makes this time feel soft
and warm.

The comfort of dividing roles

Cooking is a small team effort.

The person who chops, the person who stirs, the person who plates.
By each having a role,
cooperation naturally emerges.

Even if it's not perfect,
even if the preparation is a bit clumsy or the flavor is off,
that all becomes part of the 'time spent together'.

Rather than doing it perfectly alone,
making it together, even if a bit clumsily,
becomes the best seasoning that stays in your heart.

The moment of sharing 'delicious'

The biggest reward of cooking is the moment you eat.

'It's delicious.'
Savoring that phrase together.

Eating the same thing and feeling the same way.
Just by that,
you realize how much peace a person can feel.

Even if the seasoning didn't go well,
if you can laugh and say 'it's not very good',
I think that is enough.

Small considerations become visible

Cooking reveals a person's character.

A slightly stronger seasoning, careful plating,
the effort to subtly cater to the other person's preferences.

Even without words,
there are moments when you can feel 'cherished'.

That is a very certain kind of happiness.

Happiness is in the time spent until it's finished

Cooking is not just about the finished product.

The time spent going shopping,
the time spent thinking about the menu,
the time spent working together.

All of that is part of happiness.

You don't have to do anything special.
Standing in the kitchen together is enough.


Like the flowers of broccoli,
it's a small happiness you might overlook.

But when you can share that with someone,
each one of those moments
will fill your heart.

A book that influenced me in writing this article

'Let's cook with the kids!'

This is a book that taught me
the importance of the time parents and children spend in the kitchen.

As you build up 'things you can do' according to age,
it made me realize that cooking is also something to 'enjoy together'.

I have also summarized other 'ways to be happy' flowers
at the link below.
Please take as much as you need 🍀

Thank you for reading until the end. I hope to see you in another article. 🍀May you be happy🍀