Simulations With You
Another Bright Evening Ahead
The moment I stepped out of the office, warm sunlight embraced my face. I glanced at my watch—5:30 PM. Thanks to spring's arrival after winter's departure, the sky stays bright even during the commute home. The joy this brief moment brings is surprisingly profound. Walking beneath an amber-tinted sky instead of darkness, the fatigue accumulated throughout the day gradually melts away.
Why is that? Nothing extraordinary happened, yet simply having daylight during the evening commute lifts my spirits. It's remarkably different from those winter months when I walked home through dark streets. Same path, yet the presence or absence of sunlight makes all the difference—more than I ever imagined.
Hidden Happiness in the Mundane
Our lives are filled with such small moments. Even without grand achievements or special events, everyday trivialities bring us joy. Perhaps these tiny bits of happiness, accumulated over time, are what truly determine our quality of life.
The birdsong that greets you when you open the window in the morning. As the frozen air of winter thaws, sparrows arrive from somewhere and begin their cheerful chirping—the most definite signal that spring has arrived. Unlike forcing yourself awake to an alarm, birdsong naturally ushers in the day. Looking outside and thinking "today will be a good day"—that alone makes for a meaningful start.
The scent of fabric softener while folding laundry carries the same magic. As you fold clothes dried perfectly under warm sunlight, the gentle fragrance somehow brings peace to your mind. Placing neatly organized garments into drawers, you feel "like I'm getting organized too." This means something more than simply having done laundry. It's as if your scattered thoughts are being tidied up alongside the clothes.
Joy in Unexpected Moments
Sometimes happiness arrives at completely unexpected times. When your favorite song starts playing on the subway, when you discover a small latte art design in your coffee order at a café, when a pleasant scent suddenly wafts by as you walk down the street. These moments cannot be planned or predicted, which makes them all the more special.
A few days ago, I discovered my favorite snack on sale at the supermarket on my way home. A trivial thing, but that evening, eating those snacks at home, I muttered to myself, "lucky day." Not exactly winning the lottery, but that one small pleasure made the day feel a bit more special.
The same goes for waiting for an elevator when the doors open to reveal an empty car. That brief ride upward in your own private space to catch your breath turns out to be surprisingly precious. Or that little thrill when you arrive at a crosswalk just as the light changes, allowing you to cross without stopping. When these minor timings align perfectly, you feel like the day is flowing smoothly.
Small Discoveries in Daily Life
Walking through the neighborhood park reveals the changing seasons more delicately. Flower buds that weren't there yesterday are blooming today, or you notice the temperature of the breeze between trees subtly shifting. As these discoveries accumulate, walks become more than just exercise—they become small daily events.
The joy of spotting a new leaf sprouting from the potted plant on your desk cannot be overlooked. You see the plant every day, yet one day you suddenly notice: "Wait, when did this grow so much?" The things you watered and exposed to sunlight, simply caring for them, have been quietly growing. Confirming this makes you reconsider what it means to nurture something.
Weekend mornings when you wake up a bit later than usual and leisurely eat breakfast carry their own magic. Receiving sunlight streaming through the curtains, slowly toasting bread and brewing coffee. The leisure you cannot feel on busy weekdays exists only on weekend mornings. Perhaps we endure the entire week for this time.
Happiness Through the Senses
In truth, the common thread among these small joys is that they all relate to our senses. The warmth of sunlight, the clarity of birdsong, the subtle fragrance of fabric softener, the rich taste of coffee, the soft touch of bedding. We experience the world through these five senses, and within them, we find happiness.
Watching outside and listening to rainfall on a rainy day brings its own pleasure. The sound of raindrops tapping the window, creating small ripples as they fall into puddles. Drinking warm tea while listening to these sounds makes for the perfect moment to organize a cluttered mind. Rain makes you reluctant to go outside, yet simultaneously makes home feel cozier—a pleasant irony.
The coziness of slipping under the covers on a winter night remains unforgettable. After moving around all day, finally returning to your own space and entrusting your body to soft bedding—that moment. As tension releases from your entire body and you think, "Ah, I'm home," feeling that relief. There's no clearer happiness than this.
Small Moments in Relationships
Such moments exist in relationships with people too. When laughter spontaneously erupts while chatting with a friend at a café, laughing over trivial stories during family dinner, the warmth felt during a brief phone call with someone you haven't contacted in ages.
A single sincere compliment from someone can brighten your entire day. Brief words like "You seem happy today," "That suits you well," or "You did great" carry more power than you'd think. Conversely, when you offer such words to someone and watch their face light up, that feels good too.
Making eye contact with a stranger on the street and exchanging smiles, sharing "thank you" with someone who holds the elevator door. These small kindnesses accumulate to make our days a bit warmer. When the world feels harsh, these moments restore our hope.
Stability in Routine
Happiness can be found even in daily routines. Waking up in the morning, washing your face, brewing coffee, preparing for work—this familiar pattern. Initially it might feel tedious, but within this repetition lies stability. The comfort that comes from a predictable day, perhaps.
Coming home after work, taking off your shoes, changing into comfortable clothes, sitting on the sofa and spacing out for a moment. The solace this routine provides is greater than you'd think. The natural relief of "I safely completed another day."
Even weekend cleaning carries this quality. Initially bothersome and undesirable, once you start, you become absorbed, and upon finishing, you feel proud viewing the clean space. An organized space creates an organized mind and gives you energy to start a new week.
Small Gifts Each Season
Each season brings its own small gifts. Cherry blossoms bloom in spring, refreshing watermelon in summer, fall foliage in autumn, warm bungeoppang in winter. These season-limited experiences make the year special.
Watching snow fall for the first time and exclaiming "Wow, snow!" Sleeping comfortably with the air conditioner on during summer nights. Commuting while feeling cool autumn morning breezes. Going outside during lunch breaks on spring days to bask in sunlight. These small pleasures from each season fill our year.
Time Alone
Time spent alone serves as an important source of happiness. In a quiet space where no one disturbs you, listening to favorite music while reading or watching movies. Or simply doing nothing, staring blankly outside.
These times allow us to return to being among people. Time alone is time for recharging, time for conversing with yourself. In the midst of busy daily life, these are precious moments to reflect on yourself and consider what you truly want.
Lying in bed looking at the ceiling while reviewing the day. Writing in a journal to organize your emotions. Opening a meditation app, closing your eyes, and focusing on breathing for a moment. These small practices bring peace of mind.
The Power of Small Things
Ultimately, life is a series of such small moments. Rather than grand successes or dramatic events, these trivial joys we experience every day create our lives. Sunlight during the evening commute, morning birdsong, pleasant fragrance from laundry. These things cannot be bought with money, yet they give us true abundance.
Try This: Just Notice
Perhaps happiness isn't far away but can be found in things right beside us. Rather than waiting for something special, being grateful for the small things around you in this moment. That might be the fastest path to real happiness.
If you encounter a bright sky during today's commute, stop for a moment and fully feel that instant. Don't miss the joy that brief moment brings. Our lives are full of such small moments, and simply noticing them is enough to be happy.