Perfect Days - The Quiet Joy of Everyday Life.

Have you ever thought about how beautiful life can be when you slow down and simply live each moment? We are often caught up chasing big dreams, major life events, or drastic changes, believing they will bring us happiness. But what if true happiness is already woven into our everyday lives, hidden in the smallest of routines?

That’s exactly what Perfect Days made me feel. Directed by Wim Wenders, this film doesn’t follow a grand narrative or high-stakes drama. Instead, it beautifully captures the everyday life of Hirayama, a public toilet cleaner in Tokyo, who goes about his days with a quiet rhythm and an ever-present, gentle smile. Nothing drastically changes in his life, and yet, there’s something deeply profound about watching him go through his simple routine.

Hirayama wakes up at the same time every morning, folds his blanket neatly, waters his plants, listens to his favorite old songs on a cassette player, and heads to work. He cleans Tokyo’s public restrooms with care and precision, treating the task not as a burden, but as something worth doing well. Every action he takes is deliberate, every movement filled with a sense of peace.

One of the most beautiful moments in the film is when he takes a break, sits in a quiet park, and looks up at the trees. He pulls out his old film camera, capturing the way the sunlight dances through the leaves. There’s no urgency, no distraction. It's just him, the trees, and that fleeting moment of beauty. It made me realize how often we overlook the simple joy of just being. How often do we pause to truly appreciate what’s around us?

Unlike most films where the protagonist undergoes major life transformations, Hirayama remains largely unchanged. Even when unexpected situations arise, l like when his niece suddenly visits him, revealing a part of his past, his life flows on as it always has. There is no breakdown, no dramatic confrontation. He simply absorbs the moment, continues his routine, and carries on.

There’s something deeply powerful about this. In a world where we’re constantly reacting, chasing and worrying, here is a man who embraces life as it comes, without resistance. His ability to stay content, no matter what happens, is a lesson in itself.

One of my favorite interactions in Perfect Days is between Hirayama and his young co-worker, Takashi. Takashi represents the typical youth of today who is restless, indifferent, and viewing his job as nothing more than a temporary stop before moving on to something "better." He doesn’t take the work seriously at first, treating it as just a way to pass time and earn some money. Hirayama, on the other hand, approaches his job with a deep sense of purpose and mindfulness.

What’s beautiful about their dynamic is that Hirayama never tries to "teach" Takashi anything. There are no lectures about responsibility, no words of wisdom about the value of hard work. Instead, Takashi slowly learns by simply being around Hirayama by watching him, observing the way he moves through life with grace and contentment. 

There’s a moment where Takashi starts noticing the little things like how Hirayama wipes down every surface with care, how he listens to music with such joy, how he enjoys his lunch breaks in peaceful solitude. It’s through these small, silent moments that Takashi begins to shift. He starts taking his job a little more seriously, begins to appreciate the quiet rhythm of their work, and perhaps, unknowingly, absorbs a bit of Hirayama’s calm and dedication.

This interaction resonated deeply with me because it reflects how true learning often happens not through force, but through example. It’s not about telling someone what they should do, but about embodying values in a way that naturally influences those around us. Takashi’s subtle transformation is a testament to the power of presence, the idea that simply living with integrity and purpose can inspire change in others, even without a single spoken word.

By the end of the film, I felt something I haven’t felt in a long time. Peace. Not the kind that comes from big achievements, but the kind that comes from knowing that life, in all its simplicity, is enough.

Hirayama’s gentle smile stays with you long after the credits roll. It’s not a forced smile, not one that hides pain. It’s the smile of someone who has found contentment in just being alive.

Watching Perfect Days made me want to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and appreciate the unnoticed moments in my own life. It’s a film that doesn’t ask for much, but gives you everything.

Maybe happiness isn’t about waiting for big, perfect days. Maybe it’s about realizing that every day, even the most ordinary one, can be perfect in its own way.