2025/05/16 Sparkling Little Indoor Shoes ~Choosing '60% Happiness' Over Perfection~

2025/05/16

When I open the window, the cool air brushes against my cheeks, and a breeze carrying moisture flows into the room.

Loosening up my body with early morning stretches and taking a deep breath makes my heart feel bright, even under a cloudy sky.

During reading time, the sound of turning pages echoes, and my heart settles. I enjoy this quiet bonus time.

After 7 o'clock, the family's day begins to move.
The moment I opened the front door, the wind gently brushed against my cheeks.

My husband fixed the flat rear tire last night.
"I put some air in it for you."

Thanks to that, I had peace of mind, both in my hands gripping the bicycle handlebars and in my heart. I realize once again how much this supports my morning.

——I'm so grateful.

Having time to look up at the sky while waiting for the traffic light.
It makes me realize that what I call "ordinary" is actually made up of so many layers of "gratitude."

A Friday treat

That evening, I received a message that my husband would be late due to a dinner party. In the evening, I felt like I wanted a little treat today, so I asked the children, "Shall we go out for sushi?"

A beaming smile was the response.
I couldn't help but laugh at that reaction.

"If Dad is out drinking, we can eat out"—this must be a hidden pleasure the children have already gotten a taste for.

When we arrived at the conveyor belt sushi restaurant, it was, as expected, empty.
"I'm starving from sports day practice!" my eldest daughter declared.

Cucumber rolls, dried gourd rolls, natto rolls, salmon roe gunkan... she reached for them one after another.

"The Soran Bushi dance is actually pretty difficult," she said while putting sushi into her mouth, her expression completely that of a "reliable big sister."

Watching the happy expressions of my daughters stuffing their faces with sushi, I think that even if I can't prepare a perfect dinner, as long as there are smiles,that's good enough.

What little indoor shoes teach us

The little indoor shoes lined up at the entrance of the nursery school were sparkling. A row of little shoes that had regained their whiteness.

"My very own scrubbing brush"

As part of a nursery school activity, they each used their own "kamenoko tawashi" (scrubbing brush) to wash their own shoes.

For a child, having "a tool that is just for them" is an indescribable, special joy. It seems that having "something of their own" is enough to flip their motivation switch.

Even as an adult, I feel an attachment to things I can call "mine," so perhaps it's only natural.

60% is OK!

There are always so many things that need to be done.

Work, housework, and childcare.
I don't want to cut corners on any of them, and I want to manage them well if I can.

But if I try to do everything perfectly, I end up feeling suffocated somewhere.

"60% is OK"

Ever since I started thinking that way, I feel like my life has become easier.

Instead of worrying about "things I can't change," focus on"the small things I can do now."

On days when you're tired, it's okay not to cook.
If you can laugh together while eating out and say "this is delicious," that's enough.

If someone fixes your bike, honestly say "thank you." If you managed to wash your indoor shoes yourself, praise yourself by saying "you did a great job."

I want to keep the ability to properly feel that kind of"gratitude."The small "gratitudes" in life are things you might overlook if you aren't conscious of them.

But they are scattered all around us.

—— Being able to ride a bike

—— Eating a meal with my children
—— Being able to take a warm bath
None of these are things to be taken for granted.

I want to live by properly feeling and savoring them.


What was your "gratitude" for today?When you notice that, perhaps your daily fatigue will ease a little.

\ If you'd like, please take a look at these too /
▶︎ Maybe you can change how you "feel" time?

▶︎ A story about what it means to "put your heart into something"

▶︎ An ordinary working mom who enjoys the "morning" by waking up at 4 AM

Thank you so much for reading until the end!
It's okay if you're not perfect.


If you can say "Good job!" at about 60%, that is a wonderful step forward.
May a little bit of peace of mind gently support you. See you again!