shōkakkō 小確幸

n. the dependable, quiet joy found in the everyday.

The Morphology of shōkakkō 小確幸

An abbreviation of 小さいけど確かな幸せ, or directly translated as “small but certain happiness”, it originates from Haruki Murakami’s 1986 essay ‘Afternoon in the Islets of Langerhans’.

In the essay he gives examples of these small joys:

... tearing off pieces of a freshly baked loaf of bread;

... seeing neatly folded clothes in a drawer;

... listening to Brahms' chamber music as the afternoon sun glows;

... drinking a cold beer after exercise.

By extracting the kanji “small” (小 shō), “certain” (確 ka), and “happiness” (幸kkō), the word shōkakkō 小確幸captures the essence of dependable, quiet joy found in the everyday.

Hello there! I am Lolo, the human behind shōkkakō

For as long as I can remember, I was focused on the next milestone, the next achievement—needing to always moving forward, believing that happiness was waiting for me at the destination. But each time I arrived, the feeling was fleeting, quickly replaced a dull sense of anxiousness until I set out for the next goal.

A few years ago, at a particularly challenging time of my life, I came across the film Little Forest and the concept of shōkakkō. I felt myself relax into the idea and the life of the protagonist. This experience made me question my theory to happiness—perhaps it wasn’t something waiting at the finish line, conditioned by culturally defined success, but something woven into every present moment.

I started shōkkako: Small (Certain) Happiness to help myself get better at this pursuit—not just of pleasure, but of personal fulfilment, retrieving one’s true self while finding strength and resilience in life’s small happiness. True happiness isn’t about avoiding hardship, but about cultivating the ability to notice, create, and hold onto joy even when life gives us lemons.

And if, by any luck, this journey helps others along the way—well, that would be its own shōkakkō.

Spring 2025 Copenhagen, Denmark

Founder of shōkkakō
- Founder of LoloxDesign Lab
- Ex corporate strategist and management consultant
- Accredited Professional Coach (International Coaching Federation)

Our Purpose

shōkakkō exists to help people cultivate an intentional and fulfilling life by building both inner resilience and momentum for self-transformation. By learning to notice, appreciate, and create small but certain happiness in the everyday, we help people cultivate gratitude, happiness, and the energy to navigate life’s challenges—while gaining the clarity and confidence to shape a future aligned with their true selves.

Through sensory reminders, guided reflections, and shared practices, shōkakkō blends grounding presence with purposeful action—helping people restore, grow, and actively design the life they want to live.

The thoughts that inspire us

Practicing a mindful and deliberate approach to life, where everyday choices align with the authentic and present self. Through guided experiences, tools, and practices, we (re)connect with our inner self and build habits that help us live more intentionally and mindfully.
Cultivating a heightened sensitivity to the small, certain joys that surround us. By engaging the senses—through touch, scent, sight, and sound—we anchor ourselves in the present, deepening our connection to everyday moments and finding fulfilment in life's quiet details.
Embracing a deep connection to nature and craftsmanship. We choose quality over excess, honoring materials, traditions, and mindful consumption that add meaning to daily life while ensuring sustainability for the future.
Creating space for self-discovery and inner growth through intentional reflection and consistent practice. By engaging in guided experiences and mindful exercises, we strengthen our ability to navigate life’s challenges with clarity, resilience, and self-awareness.
Taking ownership of our choices, perspectives, and well-being. Refuse to accept the identity of a victim and assume the role of our own rescuers by identifying what we can control and approaching life with a creative mindset.
Dedicate energy to approach life with curiosity, courage, and the belief that change is possible. We embrace uncertainty as an opportunity to create, experiment, and grow—trusting in our ability to shape our own path with a sense of possibility and hope.