2025/07/25 A Day to Try Changing How I Feel About Time: The Ordinary Luxury of Spending Time with Children

07/26/2025

As the sound of cicadas echoes in the distance, the heat gradually intensifies. In the morning, while stretching my body, I consciously regulate my breathing deeply.

I think this time is special to me.

After looking at my daughters, who woke up with messy hair, and laughing together, I whisper to myself, 'Alright! It's Friday!'

“Oh, it’s blooming.”

When I stepped out the front door, a small pink flower from the balsam plant my daughter brought home from school caught my eye. It was still a bud yesterday, but now it has bloomed into a lovely flower.

I almost overlooked it in the morning rush, but I stopped for a moment to look at it.

Can things really change this much in just one night?

Last night, my husband fixed the flat tire on my bicycle.
Being able to take the kids to school by bike gives me 20 minutes of extra time.

I often forget, but a feeling of gratitude welled up in me, realizing that this is not something to be taken for granted.

The meaning behind the smiles as they gobble up the spinach with sesame dressing

I got home at 4:30 PM and went to pick up my youngest from daycare with my eldest, who had just returned from after-school care. As we walked the usual path, they told me bits and pieces about their day.

We got home, finished bath time, and started preparing dinner.

The freshly fried karaage has a nice, crunchy coating. The savory aroma whets our appetites, making me think that maybe our family is immune to summer fatigue.

I also fried some fluffy potatoes to go with it, piling them high.

The tomatoes sent by Grandma in Hokkaido during this season are a staple side dish in our house. Sliced cold and juicy, they are delicious just as they are.

Their crisp texture and refreshing acidity make the mouth feel clean, so I often serve them with fried foods.

For the spinach with sesame dressing, I added a little more sugar than usual.
The kids, who usually leave their green side dishes behind, gobbled them up today.

It’s not a special menu, but seeing the children gobble it up made me feel very happy.

When I asked, 'Is it good?', they replied with innocent smiles, 'Yeah, it's good! I can eat my veggies too!'

In such casual conversations,I feel there is a richness to this day.

Even without any major events, perhaps it is the accumulation of small 'yums' and 'thank yous' that supports our daily lives.

Facing the 'now'

After dinner, it’s piano practice.Since the recital is coming up, our motto now is 'when it's time to do it, we do it.'

I watch over the small back facing the keyboard.
Afterward, we eat ice cream while watching TV and take a deep breath. It’s our Friday treat time.

I tend to always think about 'how can I increase my time?'

Completing tasks efficiently.
Making effective use of free time.

Because I’m somewhat dexterous, I can even do things like doing this while doing that.

But lately, I’ve been rethinking that mindset a little.

Instead of 'increasing time,' I’m trying to change 'how I feel about the current time.'I still have to be conscious to do it, though.

It’s strange, but just by trying to properly savor the moment instead of doing things 'while' doing something else, the flow of daily life feels a little different.

Treating today with a little more care

On a Friday night, feeling the sense of liberation before the weekend and a little bit of fatigue, I look back on the day.

The morning balsam, the bicycle my husband fixed, casual conversations with my daughters, the smiles of the children eating the sesame spinach, piano practice, ice cream time...

None of these are special things, but when I remember them one by one, today becomes very dear to me.

I cannot increase time.
Even so, I can notice the small happiness within the time I have now.

And when I can notice that, I think the same 24 hours feel richer and warmer.

What small discoveries colored your day today?

Even in the midst of busy days, if you stop for a moment and turn your heart toward it, you will surely find a wonderful 'now'.

＼ If you like, please take a look at these too ／
▶︎ 6 memorable episodes from the
　everyday life of a mom who wakes up at 4 AM.

▶︎ The morning my bike got a flat tire,
　a quiet realization found amidst the chaos.

▶︎ 'I liked Mom's bento better'
　My daughter's words warmed my heart.

Please start with whichever interests you♪

Thank you so much for reading until the end!

When you feel like you 'don't have enough time,' try focusing on the small moments right in front of you.

The taste of food, the wind, the smiles of your children—

They might just make your day a little deeper.

Take it easy, little by little.

Let's find small happiness again tomorrow.
See you later!