I love the quote “If you're 37, instead of regretting that you can't wake up at 18 again, pretend to yourself that you're 90 and you've woken up age 37 again, and that you get to magically, wonderfully have the next 50 years again.” I hope you will have a great time in Kyoto!
Thank you for sharing this Nicolle, all the best for the move. I hope it's a move of growth and moving towards something rather than away from something else! Enjoy every moment of it :-)
I get it. I’ve spent over 10 years in Tokyo and I’d love to move to the other side of Japan. Not to run away from problems, but to build a life more in tune with my identity. I hope all goes well for you.
Thank you for sharing Mariusz. Which other areas of Japan interest you? I wonder if this feeling of wanting to find a more in tune life happens around the same time for everyone?
Thank you for the reminder! I keep going back and forth. Should I continue my business or get a job. I should really buckle down and keep growing something for my family and I and not waste my time on building up other peoples companies!
Good luck Tara! Sounds like you're already on the right path, I hope you can continue to find success. Definitely put all of your effort into making it work for you and your family. Thank you for reading and leaving this thoughtful reply 🍃
I've had many "resets" (MN to NYC, NYC to VT, NYC back to MN, MN to Japan) and come to realize they are what alcoholics call a "geographic," running away from your problems only to realize wherever you go there you are.
Not that there is anything wrong with doing it, just being aware of this and then turning inward and begin to accept yourself is where the real change begins to occur.
Thank you so much for sharing this, I think you’re exactly right. I can’t expect this move to change me just by moving alone. I have to make it want to happen!
Did you realize that before moving to Japan as well?
I did on some level but there were so many changes that happened over the nearly two decades here. Many were unexpected and so much so I wrote and published a book about it. 10KLRS: 10,000 Lakes to the Rising Sun.
Kyoto is such a nice city. Have you learned proper meditative technique? Avail yourself of a good teacher. The breathing, posture, what you focus on matters. Zen rock gardens can be found around the city.
Remember yours is a journey to the inside. Life will flow; sometimes where you want it to, sometimes not.
Thank you for this very thoughtful response! I very much look forward to finding all of those rock gardens! I'd definitely like to find myself a good teacher of zazen!
I think you're right, I've come to realise over these past few years that this time has been a part of life and all adds to the tapestry that makes up 'me'.
Thanks for sharing this cathartic, personal decision that sounds like it was exactly what you needed. Also in Japan, and also regarding a big move, I went through something similar after moving from central Tokyo to a rural part of Kyushu about 5 years ago. No regrets! "Life 2.0" is very fulfilling!
Thanks for asking. The short answer is that ever since I spent a year at Kyushu University a lifetime ago, I have always loved Japan's southernmost major island. For more details than you probably want to examine, please take a look at an old article I wrote more than 5 years ago.
Wonderful article Mark! Now it’s been 7 or so years how do you feel about your choice? I’m going to bet you still love it so much! I’d love to retire in Japan but still a few years from there. Not quite part of the FIRE movement yet 🤪
Thanks for taking the time to read that old article. No regrets! Still love it down in Kyushu. You will enjoy Kyoto. That's one of my favorite places in Japan.
"Better to admit you walked through the wrong door than spend your life in the wrong room." A simple but powerful reminder to be honest with yourself. Looking forward to discover your Kyoto stories!
I love the quote “If you're 37, instead of regretting that you can't wake up at 18 again, pretend to yourself that you're 90 and you've woken up age 37 again, and that you get to magically, wonderfully have the next 50 years again.” I hope you will have a great time in Kyoto!
Thank you Miki, it’s wonderful isn’t it? Such a nice rule to live a life by.. 🍃
I love the same quote too. I would love to try waking up to this thought from tomorrow morning itself!
I have a daunting cross-country move coming up in a couple months and your words remind me to remember the big picture, thanks!
Thank you for sharing this Nicolle, all the best for the move. I hope it's a move of growth and moving towards something rather than away from something else! Enjoy every moment of it :-)
I get it. I’ve spent over 10 years in Tokyo and I’d love to move to the other side of Japan. Not to run away from problems, but to build a life more in tune with my identity. I hope all goes well for you.
Thank you for sharing Mariusz. Which other areas of Japan interest you? I wonder if this feeling of wanting to find a more in tune life happens around the same time for everyone?
Thank you for the reminder! I keep going back and forth. Should I continue my business or get a job. I should really buckle down and keep growing something for my family and I and not waste my time on building up other peoples companies!
Good luck Tara! Sounds like you're already on the right path, I hope you can continue to find success. Definitely put all of your effort into making it work for you and your family. Thank you for reading and leaving this thoughtful reply 🍃
I would love to retire to Japan, but sadly not living there I don’t think I can make this happen.
I hope you can find the time to come and spend a decent amount of time in the country in your retirement! Perhaps that's the next best thing 🍃
I've had many "resets" (MN to NYC, NYC to VT, NYC back to MN, MN to Japan) and come to realize they are what alcoholics call a "geographic," running away from your problems only to realize wherever you go there you are.
Not that there is anything wrong with doing it, just being aware of this and then turning inward and begin to accept yourself is where the real change begins to occur.
Thank you so much for sharing this, I think you’re exactly right. I can’t expect this move to change me just by moving alone. I have to make it want to happen!
Did you realize that before moving to Japan as well?
I did on some level but there were so many changes that happened over the nearly two decades here. Many were unexpected and so much so I wrote and published a book about it. 10KLRS: 10,000 Lakes to the Rising Sun.
Kyoto is such a nice city. Have you learned proper meditative technique? Avail yourself of a good teacher. The breathing, posture, what you focus on matters. Zen rock gardens can be found around the city.
Remember yours is a journey to the inside. Life will flow; sometimes where you want it to, sometimes not.
Thank you for this very thoughtful response! I very much look forward to finding all of those rock gardens! I'd definitely like to find myself a good teacher of zazen!
I think you're right, I've come to realise over these past few years that this time has been a part of life and all adds to the tapestry that makes up 'me'.
Very cathartic
https://open.substack.com/pub/tokyoliving123/p/10klrs-10000-lakes-to-the-rising?utm_source=app-post-stats-page&r=7za9c&utm_medium=ios
Thanks for sharing this cathartic, personal decision that sounds like it was exactly what you needed. Also in Japan, and also regarding a big move, I went through something similar after moving from central Tokyo to a rural part of Kyushu about 5 years ago. No regrets! "Life 2.0" is very fulfilling!
Thank you for this Mark! So glad to hear your move was positive! What was it that attracted you to Kyushu?
Thanks for asking. The short answer is that ever since I spent a year at Kyushu University a lifetime ago, I have always loved Japan's southernmost major island. For more details than you probably want to examine, please take a look at an old article I wrote more than 5 years ago.
https://japaninsider.com/retiring-japanese-countryside/
Wonderful article Mark! Now it’s been 7 or so years how do you feel about your choice? I’m going to bet you still love it so much! I’d love to retire in Japan but still a few years from there. Not quite part of the FIRE movement yet 🤪
Thanks for taking the time to read that old article. No regrets! Still love it down in Kyushu. You will enjoy Kyoto. That's one of my favorite places in Japan.
I’m gonna save that and give it a read tomorrow! Thank you 🙏
"Better to admit you walked through the wrong door than spend your life in the wrong room." A simple but powerful reminder to be honest with yourself. Looking forward to discover your Kyoto stories!