There are no days off from housework and parenting. Even so, I want to spend my time with a smile.

Akai-chan's Monologue

Housework happens every single day, doesn't it?

Making breakfast,
doing the laundry,
and tidying up.

Just when I think I'm finally done,
the next chore is already waiting for me.

"Maybe I'll take a little break."

Even when I think that,
all I see are the dishes and the laundry.

I feel like I can never really get a break.

Parenting is the same.

Feeding them,
helping them get dressed,
and listening to them talk.

If the kids are energetic, it's exhausting,
and if they're quiet,
I worry, "What's wrong?"

Even when it's a holiday,
there's no day off from housework or parenting.

"You don't have to do anything today."

If there were a day like that,
I'd be so happy.

Sometimes I think,

"Maybe I'll just quit everything for today."

The dishes can wait until tomorrow.

The laundry doesn't have to be folded either.

Even if the room is a bit messy,
I'll just pretend I didn't see it today.

I think that's probably fine.

Housework can be done tomorrow.

It's okay if the laundry piles up a little.

And meals,
it's okay if you don't cook properly every day.

Store-bought side dishes or frozen foods,
I think something simple is more than enough.

Because what's important
isn't just doing perfect housework.

Laughing with the kids,
or eating a meal together and saying "This is delicious."

I think those moments
become precious memories too.

Of course,
it's hard to be smiling every day.

There are days when I get frustrated.

There are days when I'm so tired I don't want to do anything.

"I just can't do it today."

Even if there are days like that,
it's okay.

You don't have to blame yourself
for not being able to smile.

Because housework and parenting
are things that go on forever.

If there are days to work hard,
it's okay to have days to let go.

I think I'll take it easy
a little bit today, too.

And at the end of the day,

"I worked hard today," I want to say to myself.

Even if there are no days off from housework and parenting,

you don't have to give your heart no rest either.
You don't have to do everything perfectly.

Why not leave at least one thing for today

and say, "I'll do it tomorrow"?
If you can create a little space,

you might be able to smile that much more.
Let's not push ourselves today,

and take it slow.

What will you let go of today by saying "I'll do it tomorrow"?