When I first heard that term, it was from a Korean channel called " 해그린달 haegreendal", a homemaker from Korea who has an epic cinematography and editing skill for her channel. Her content revolves around food, homemaking, and also cleaning. She made a video once about it and I was intrigued by her presentation.
What she called as Small But Definite Happiness is something I call " Things that make me happy". After watching her video, I was curious as to what is the difference between the two. Then I browsed that definition further and I found there is a movement called " “Sohwakhaeng” (소확행) ".
Sohwakhaeng refers to the intensity of the happiness you experience, but rather the small but certainty of it. Initially, this concept was first introduced in 1986 by Japanese author Haruki Murakami in an essay called “Afternoon in the Islets of Langerhans.” This movement was emerging in South Korea because tthere is a growing dissatisfaction towards the fast-paced lifestyle. For 해그린달 haegreendal my favorite youtuber, her small but definite happiness is a clean home and a lot of iced coffee (it seems from her video).
For me... I have some list, a list of small things which can make me instantly happy. But this time, I am going to share only three but major SDH for me.
Who doesn't love coffee? I just happen to love it too much. However, not all coffee is the same. Some are better than others and to me, it's two spoons of Robusta, not more and not less. Any day, anytime, any occasion, I'll have it. A bad day? grab a mug, two spoons of Robusta & I'll be good.
Whenever I am feeling down, I will grab a trash bag and start collecting papers or clutters. Even if my room is already clean, there will always be something to clean or wipe but I learn not to do it excessively. It is a simple thing that instantly boosts my mood and change my day. Then often, I also combine this activity with a cup of hot coffee. After a good & thorough cleaning, I will enjoy a good cup of warm Robusta and I'll have a big smile on my face.
I am certainly not good at keeping up with things. Sometimes I don't talk to my friends for days, weeks,and even months. I am glad somehow they are still willing to talk and reconnect with me. When it comes to my partner, I definitely talk to him daily but sometimes, I love to have a time when I can talk with him about serious matter and plans. And when I have a bad day? I'll give my mom a quick call which mostly ended up into 60 minutes call. Then, I will feel better and ready to face life one more time.
Ever since I was young, SDH conception was indirectly taught to me. Yet, as I was out in the wilderness, I got carried away. I started to think that my life was all doom and gloom. I thought if I didn't have it all by 22, yes 22 (crazy as it sounds but social media made it look that way), I am fucked and a failure. It took me a while to finally realize that my life has just started and I can start working on it.
And after a while, when I really look into my life, I am happy and there is abundance around me. People say, Grass is greener on the other side but I can choose to see it as " Water your own grass so it becomes greener",in which I like this version better. So, I hope you can find your own small but definite happiness.
If you want to check the channel I was mentioning previously, have a look at this one :
