What a man nearing 60 wants to tell his 'younger self' about his 'future downward spiral' — from over 20 jobs that can't be written on a resume —

April.
With the start of the new fiscal year, the streets are filled with new employees in brand-new suits.
Back then, I had a season like that too.

I was still in my 20s.
I believed somewhere deep down that the future would be even brighter.

I never dreamed that I would end up living a life like this.
Back then, it was beyond my imagination.

“If only I had chosen a different company back then.”
“If only I had followed that person's advice.”

I have thought about those 'what-ifs' many times.
But there is no time machine.
In this world, you cannot undo what has already been done.

Even so, the reason I decided to start writing this note now is because
there are things I want to tell my 'younger self'.

To be honest,
I have always thought that I 'failed at working'.

I joined a bank as a new graduate, and then drifted through the sales, printing, manufacturing, insurance, and IT industries
as a full-time employee, part-timer, temp, and casual worker.

Before I knew it, I had worked at over 20 different workplaces.

My resume doesn't even have any blank space left.

The longest job I ever held was nine years.
I have been told,
“You lack grit.”
“You don't have enough patience.”
“You're useless wherever you go.”

But, on the verge of turning 60, I finally realized something.
I wasn't 'running away'.
I was just 'wandering'.

“Where is the place where I can truly thrive?”
“Isn't there a way of working that suits me better?”
Thinking that, I drifted from one workplace to another.

But that, too, was a mistake.

It is precisely because I am a man nearing 60 that
I decided to start this note now, in this season when the cherry blossoms are blooming.

To those who find working painful.
To those who are afraid to go to the office.
To those who are wondering whether they should change jobs once again.

In this note, I intend to write down, little by little,
the things I have actually experienced for you.

■ The 'habit of thinking' I had in common when I failed at changing jobs
■ Companies I should have declined during the interview
■ 'Landmine words' in job postings
■ Criteria for deciding whether to keep working or quit

What I will be talking about in this note from now on
is a record of my 'downward spiral' that cannot be written on a resume.
However, I hope it serves as a hint for someone to realize things before they break down.

As I approach the final chapter of my life,
the time has finally come for me to talk about 'what it means to work.'

I hope this note can serve as a hint
for someone who is struggling just like I once was.

Next article preview
'Why did you become a salaryman?'
To you, who is just like I was 'back then.'

If you are also feeling the burden of 'working,'
please let me know about your situation in the comments.
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