The Motivation of Health Information Creators: 'I Want to Save My Past Self'

The countless pieces of health advice seen on social media, such as 'this ingredient is good for such-and-such ailment.' I believe there is one common thread behind the people who share this information. The reason I am involved in Kampo medicine for my work, and why I am showing my true self here, is actually deeply connected to that commonality.

The earnest commonality among those who share health information

If you look across social media, there are many people sharing information about medicinal cooking, Eastern medicine, and daily health practices. If you trace the roots of their posts, you notice one common point.

It is that many of these creators have experienced their own struggles with poor health and the loss of balance in their mind and body. 'Health practices' became the crutch that helped them escape that state, and that is likely why a strong desire to 'save my past self' lies at the foundation of their content.

My driving force also comes from 'wanting to save my past self'

I, too, currently share information related to Kampo and health practices as part of my work. If asked why I chose this job and why I weave words together every day, the underlying reason is, to no small extent, the desire to 'save my past self'.

There was a dark period in my past when I lost control of my mind and body, suffering from unexplained ailments and the cruel stress of 'having too much time on my hands'.

'If only I had known this wisdom of Eastern medicine back then, I wouldn't have had to suffer so much.' Such earnest thoughts are what drive me. The advice I write for those on the other side of social media—'try this health practice for this ailment'—is actually a letter addressed to the 'me who was falling apart back then'.

The 'hidden side' of a health writer that doesn't appear in signed articles

Currently, I write articles under my real name. In those, my role as a professional in Kampo and health practices is to provide readers with 'well-organized information' based on correct knowledge.

However, as a creator, I am not able to practice perfect health habits every single day. There are days when my stomach doesn't move due to work stress and I can't bring myself to eat, and days when I am so exhausted I can't do anything.
That is precisely why I want to write down the 'real, hidden side of a health creator' that I don't show in my formal columns here on this platform, Note.

Sharing real struggles can become a prescription for someone else

In days that don't go as ideally as planned, how do I keep myself balanced and protect my mind and body?

I believe that sharing the real way of facing health practices is the very reason for this Note's existence. I hope that these writings, which I began to save my past self, will eventually come full circle and serve as a prescription to lighten the hearts of those currently suffering from some kind of 'vague, lingering ailment'.