Why I, a shut-in for over 10 years, decided to work part-time

I had always thought that.

But, after spending over 10 years at home, I decided to start working part-time this summer.
When you hear a story about a shut-in getting a part-time job,

“A story about a shut-in getting a part-time job”you might think,

“If I could work part-time, I would have done it a long time ago.”
I don't intend to say,

“Everyone, your life will change if you get a part-time job!”
I just want to share

my story of

and I hope you will listen to it.

Here we go!

I thought working outside was impossible.

When I was 29, I stopped working outside.

Well, a lot of things happened, but the direct trigger was my first pregnancy.

Before I got pregnant, I worked in apparel, retail, and office jobs, but commuting and human relationships were exhausting.

I even ruined my health and was pushed to the point where I lost 20kg.

I had given up.

After giving birth, I was overwhelmed with childcare.

My child had a developmental disability, so even after they started school, I had to take them to therapy, and for someone with my limited capacity, that was all I could handle every day.

When my two children started school, I had a little more free time, and I found a job as a web writer, thinking, “Is there something I can do from home?”

Writing work that I could do from home
seemed very appealing to me.

The reason I decided to try going outside anyway

Being a home-based writer was a truly grateful job.

Being able to work while staying at home was a huge help,
I could move around according to my children's return time,
and I could handle sudden schedule changes.

There were no unpleasant human relationships, and I didn't have to commute.

"This is perfect for me."

That is what I thought.

...

But as I continued, little by little,
a sense of discomfort began to emerge.

Even though I started it thinking I wanted to work freely, I spent my days being chased by deadlines.

In order to broaden the scope of my projects,
I thought, "I have to take this," "I have to write this," and
before I knew it, I was tying myself down.

I told myself it was for the income,
and I was writing articles on themes I wasn't really interested in.

"Will I keep writing like this forever?"

That kind of hazy feeling was swirling deep inside my heart.

...

A few years after entering school, my children grew up,
and they became able to stay home alone for short periods.

When my children were small, I didn't have the luxury of thinking about my own career, but
I gradually became able to think about "my life from now on."

And, as a reaction to working alone at home for so long,

I started to think that more and more.

Although I communicate through chat at work,
I started wanting to have time to actually meet and talk with someone face-to-face.

Because of this, I started actively participating in offline meetups and networking events.

As I began meeting people in person, I even started having deep conversations.

Having warm friends who watch over my challenges has reduced my fear of taking action,
and
I have become able to look forward with peace of mind.

I want to make use of my beauty knowledge

Well, I am, after all (?), a beauty writer.

I love writing beauty articles, and I even obtained a Cosmetics Concierge certification.

Researching cosmetic ingredients and finding care methods tailored to skin concerns,

"How can I convey this more clearly?"

I love the time I spend thinking about that.

...

But, while writing an article, I suddenly thought:

Such feelings began to well up.

...

The Cosmetics Concierge certification I studied so hard to get.

I started to feel that I didn't want it to end as just "knowledge for writing articles."

I want to convey information about skincare and makeup more directly to someone, and suggest products tailored to their skin concerns.

I realized I wanted to experience the moment when someone says with a smile, "I'm glad I consulted you!"

Once I thought that, the hurdle of "going outside" lowered a little.

I decided to try my hand at a job related to beauty.

With that decided, I started looking for beauty-related part-time jobs.

When I started working part-time at a cosmetics shop

That is how I found a part-time job at a cosmetics shop near my house.

Three days a week, just four hours a day.

The commute is short, and I can make it back in time for when my child returns home.

"Maybe even I can do this."

I gathered my courage and applied.

...

The result was surprisingly smooth; I was hired.

It helps that I have qualifications, but

I pride myself on the fact that the self-promotion I cultivated through my experience as a web writer

must have been good (lol).

...

My first part-time job in a long time was, as expected, nerve-wracking.

On the first day of my shift, my stomach hurt before I even left,and I thought, "Maybe this is impossible after all," over and over again.

But seeing customers happily choosing cosmetics,and watching customers who made purchases leave with sparkling smiles,healed my heart.

Such moments were more rewarding than I had imagined,

and seeing them directly actually gave me energy.

Being able to see that directly made me happier than I had imagined,
and in turn, it gave me energy.

...

Of course, there are tough times too.

Since I'm standing the whole time, my legs are swollen when I get home.

There are still many things I'm not used to, like memorizing product names and counting inventory.

But even with all that,

I've come to think, 'Talking to people outside isn't so bad.'

Working part-time wasn't 'a defeat'

Actually, I used to think, 'Does working part-time mean I've lost?'

I started writing because I wanted to be free, so the idea of being tied to a schedule again and commuting to a fixed place felt like a step backward.

'Isn't that a defeat?'

I was doubting myself somewhere in my heart.

But after actually going out into the world, I realized something.

I had assumed that 'having free time' meant 'living a free life,' but

I learned that what determines whether you are truly free is not how you work, but yourself.

If you choose something you want to do,

and you are taking action for that sake, then it's not a defeat;

rather, I've come to see it as a 'victory' I chose for myself.

...

By working part-time,

the time I spend talking to customers and the casual conversations I have with store staff,

those simple, everyday interactions have given me more energy than I ever expected.

Working part-time wasn't 'a defeat.'

Instead, I feel that it was a good thing to try in order to keep doing what I love.

Doing what you love is fun

I thought, "It's impossible for me to go out and work," "Interacting with people is exhausting," and "It probably won't last anyway."

I had convinced myself of those things, but

when I actually tried it,

"Huh? This is surprisingly fun"

is what I was able to think.

...

I intend to continue working as a web writer.

But by going out and starting a part-time job,

"I realized there were things I could enjoy other than writing."

I was able to realize that.

Making what you love your job is truly a good thing, isn't it?

It took a little time, but I feel glad that I took that first step.