Everyday Recipes for a Soft and Relaxed Life, EP.02｜collaboration with hauu (nishikawa)

Q. What kind of spaces or places help you relax?

Once a month, I gather with a close-knit group of families to hang out. We often rent a cottage and spend time in nature.

There are three families of friends I’ve known since I was 20, and as it happens, our children are all the same age. Before we knew it, we all got into camping and going to the beach for surfing. My husband loves fishing, so we sometimes head out to rivers or mountains as well.

When someone posts in our group LINE, "This cottage looks nice," someone else will say, "Shall we go there this month then?" and the destination is decided quite naturally.

Even when we’re all together, we don’t spend every moment in the same spot; everyone does their own thing. Some people go for a walk, others go fishing, and some just take it easy.

We only naturally drift together when it’s time to eat. That kind of distance is really comfortable.

Spending time fulfilling everyone’s little "I want to try this" wishes is, perhaps, the most relaxing moment for me.

Q. What are your principles when creating a room?

Friends often come over, and I love standing in the kitchen feeling the bustle of everyone around me. Since I can see the entire living room from the kitchen, I feel like I'm part of the space even while cooking. That kind of distance is comfortable, and this has naturally become my favorite place.

Before I knew it, my interior decor had become quite colorful (laughs). I often bring back things I like from my travels little by little, and it feels like the current look is a result of those layers. Even my slippers are from Sri Lanka; every item has a memory behind it.

I’m also fond of the vase I made with Taira, and the drawings he’s done. I feel like just having something handmade by someone adds depth to a space. Perhaps the way I create a room is by slowly layering those kinds of things.

Taira thinks the hauu blanket is his own (laughs). Sometimes a duvet is just too hot, but that light warmth seems to be just right for him. It’s light and easy to use, so I feel it’s perfect for kids too.

Q. How do you reset your mind when you’re tired?

For the past year or so, I’ve made it a firm rule not to schedule any work on days when daycare is closed. Since I can manage my own schedule, I could keep working if I wanted to, but that eventually leads to burnout. I’ve decided that my days off are for my children.

Also, I make sure to take at least an hour of "me time" after my kids and husband have gone to sleep. I might watch a video or read a book. Just having that time to be alone feels like a great way to refresh.

Most importantly, I try not to strive for perfection. A friend once told me, "Nobody dies if the house is messy," and I thought, "That's so true!" (laughs). Some days I feel like cleaning, and other days I just want to slack off, so I try to spend my time in a way that matches how I’m feeling at the moment.

Another thing is that I try not to jump to conclusions. Whether it’s work-related or something at home, I try not to force a decision immediately and instead set the issue aside for a moment.

Things naturally settle down as time passes. I feel like by doing that, I’ve been able to live a little more easily.