1. The Weight of Success
Soyoung had always been a high achiever. From a young age, she was taught that success meant everything—top grades, a prestigious university, and a high-paying job. Born in Seoul, she grew up in a competitive environment where failure was never an option.
Her parents, who had struggled to provide for her, constantly reminded her that she had to succeed to secure a stable life. This pressure shaped her childhood, making her believe that happiness was something she would achieve after she reached the pinnacle of success.
So Soyoung studied harder than anyone. She graduated at the top of her class, earned a scholarship to one of Korea’s top universities, and landed a job at a major corporation. She had checked every box, fulfilled every expectation. On the outside, she was the definition of success.
But inside, she felt empty.
2. The Fall
Work became her entire life. The long hours, the relentless pressure, the never-ending deadlines—it all consumed her. The once bright, ambitious young woman found herself drowning in exhaustion and self-doubt. No matter how much she achieved, it never felt like enough.
Her relationships suffered. She rarely saw her friends, barely spoke to her family, and had no time for love or hobbies. She lived in a small apartment in Gangnam, surrounded by luxury but devoid of warmth.
Then, one day, everything crumbled.
After months of overwork, she received a negative performance review. Her boss coldly told her that while she was talented, she wasn’t “exceptional enough” for a promotion. All the sleepless nights, all the sacrifices—none of it mattered.
That night, Soyoung stood on the rooftop of her apartment building, staring at the city lights below. She felt nothing. Was this all life was? A never-ending chase for something always out of reach?
For the first time in her life, she wondered if there was any point in continuing.
3. The Moment That Changed Everything
But as she stood there, contemplating the end, her phone vibrated. A message from an unknown number:
“Soyoung, I don’t know if you remember me, but we went to high school together. I just saw an old picture of us and wanted to say thank you for being kind to me back then. I hope you’re doing well.”
It was a classmate she barely remembered, someone who had struggled in school. She had once helped him with his studies and sat with him when he was being bullied.
The message pulled her back from the edge. Had her life really been meaningless? If a small act of kindness from years ago still mattered to someone, maybe—just maybe—her life had more meaning than she thought.
4. Letting Go of the Obsession with Success
The next morning, Soyoung didn’t go to work. Instead, she took a long walk through the city. For the first time in years, she noticed the beauty around her—the warmth of the sun, the sound of laughter from a nearby café, the scent of freshly baked bread from a street vendor.
She realized she had spent her whole life chasing a future that never arrived. She had been waiting to be happy instead of simply being happy.
That day, she made a decision: She would no longer define her worth by success alone.
5. Finding Small but Certain Happiness
Soyoung quit her high-paying but soul-draining job. She took a risk and started working part-time at a small bookstore, a place she had always loved as a child. The pay was nothing compared to her corporate job, but she felt at peace for the first time in years.
She reconnected with old friends, repaired her relationship with her parents, and even adopted a stray cat she found outside the store.
She started a new ritual—every evening, she would write down one small thing that made her happy that day. Some days, it was the taste of her favorite tea. Other days, it was a conversation with a kind customer or the feeling of warm sunlight on her skin.
She discovered the concept of “small but certain happiness” (소확행)—the idea that true joy comes not from grand achievements, but from appreciating the little moments of life.
6. The Fear of Judgment and the Strength to Move On
Not everyone understood her decision. Former colleagues scoffed at her, asking why she had thrown away a promising career. Some friends drifted away, unable to comprehend why she had chosen “mediocrity.”
But Soyoung no longer needed their validation. She had found her own definition of success.
It wasn’t about being the best. It wasn’t about proving herself to anyone. It was about waking up each day and feeling at peace with herself.
She started a blog, sharing her journey with others who struggled with the same pressures. To her surprise, thousands of people resonated with her words. People who had spent their lives chasing a dream that wasn’t truly theirs.
7. The Meaning of Life
One day, a young woman visited the bookstore. She looked exhausted, her eyes filled with the same emptiness Soyoung once knew. She hesitated before speaking.
“I read your blog,” she said. “I was going to... I was going to end things, but your story made me stop and think. If you could find a way out, maybe I can too.”
Soyoung’s heart clenched. She reached out and squeezed the woman’s hand.
“Your story isn’t over yet,” she said. “You’re allowed to find happiness in your own way.”
At that moment, Soyoung realized something. Her life had meaning—not because of her past achievements, but because she had chosen to live. To truly live.
Not for promotions.
Not for societal approval.
Not for an illusion of perfection.
But for herself. For the small, certain moments of happiness that made each day worth waking up for.
8. A Life Worth Living
Years later, Soyoung still works at the bookstore. She never became a CEO, never earned millions, never made headlines.
And yet, she is happy.
Every morning, she wakes up to the soft purring of her cat. She takes long walks, enjoys a warm cup of coffee, and spends her days surrounded by books and people who appreciate life’s little joys.
She has learned that true success isn’t measured in numbers or accolades. It’s measured in peace of mind, love, and the ability to find happiness in the present moment.
Soyoung’s journey wasn’t easy. Letting go of societal expectations, overcoming despair, and redefining her life took immense courage.
But in the end, she proved to herself—and to the world—that a life worth living isn’t built on pressure and perfection.
It’s built on the simple, beautiful moments that make us feel truly alive.
And that, she realized, was the greatest success of all.