2025/08/01 Changing How I Use My Time: Letting a Breeze Through 'Days of Being Chased'

2025/08/01

The first day of August began with the sound of rain. Watching the forecast predict a sudden rise in temperature to 30 degrees, I prepare my water bottle, thinking it’s going to be another hot day.

The air felt tense the moment I arrived at work.

The tone of voices, the speed at which colleagues walked, the force of pages turning, the frequency of the phones ringing.
Everything told a story.

By the time I realized, "Something must have happened," the hustle and bustle had already begun. Start of the month, Friday, trouble.
A day with the triple threat of busyness.

While almost getting swept up in the surrounding flurry, I tell myself, "Don't get carried away, stay calm."

"The things I need to do haven't changed. So, it's okay."

One deep breath.
My feelings settled down just a little.

The atmosphere of 'before the big event'

By the time I went to pick up the kids, the rain had fortunately stopped.
"Lucky, I'm so lucky!" I whisper to myself, my steps light as I head toward the nursery school.

Tomorrow is thepiano recital, andthe fireworks festival at night.

How should I style my daughters' hair?
I'll get the costumes ready in the morning.
I want them to practice for at least 30 minutes before the performance.
What time should I wake them up...?

While confirming these things, I watch over the children's piano practice.

There is an indescribable tension in the way each sister faces the keyboard, imagining the real performance.

My second daughter, who had her teacher by her side for a duet last year, will stand on stage alone this year.
The courage to stand on a big stage with such a small body.
Thinking of that makes my heart ache.

The time of 5 minutes

On days when such busyness is expected.
It is important not to be chased by time, but to face it with a way of breaking it down that suits you.

Don't rush, don't panic, be careful.

Instead of "doing this and that in 30 minutes," decide "first, do this for 5 minutes."

When I'm busy, if I break down tasks further and cut them into smaller units, I feel like things strangely start to run smoothly. That's just for me, though.

Facing "how to use" time and trying it out.Time belongs to no one.

Preparing the bento for the fireworks festival, checking the viewing spot, contacting mom friends, and shopping.
When I think about it by breaking it into small units, it turned into manageable tasks.

The key to reclaiming time

The nervousness and anxiety about my daughters' recital, and the impatience about preparing for the fireworks festival—by changing how I use my time a little, my state of mind changes.

Five minutes is a short time, but by using those 5 minutes carefully, the whole day becomes organized.

Not chasing time, but facing time.

What kind of 5 minutes did you cherish today?

Perhaps those 5 minutes will make a busy day a little calmer.

\ If you'd like, please take a look at these too /
▶︎ From the realistic daily life of a mom who wakes up at 4 AM,
　6 episodes that remain in my heart.

▶︎ Noticing the preciousness of life by looking at the cotton flowers that bloomed.
You don't have to think, "I have to do something special."

▶︎ Not "increasing time,"
　but just "changing how you feel."

Please start with whatever interests you♪

Thank you so much
for reading until the end.

Before a special day, today.
If you were able to wrap up the day carefully,
a little bit of space should surely be born in your heart.

Without pushing yourself, little by little.
Let's find small happiness again tomorrow.
See you later!