273. The time to 'take a break from myself' was exactly 'now'

Today is the only day this month
with no plans at all.


Last April, my husband and I both became unemployed.


For the past year, we have been living off our savings, but
thinking that today is the youngest day of our lives,


we have spent our time as if
savoring every season of the year.


Spring in Iriomote Island.
Summer in Hokkaido.
Autumn in Miyajima and Izumo Taisha.
Winter in Ise-Shima.


We ate delicious food,
went to see people dear to us,
and headed to places we wanted to go without hesitation.


Time with my daughter and grandchildren.
Time for treatments.


Learning about child advocacy
that I encountered through a sudden flow of events.


I compiled my marriage hunting records on note and
published two Kindle books.


The listening challenge
that started from the Happy Writing Marathon
on the Autumnal Equinox
is now at the halfway point with 52 people.


Before I knew it, my calendar
was filled with 'things I want to do' and 'play'.


I was very active this week, too.


A date with my husband's daughter in Nagoya.
A baseball game in Kyoto.
Reuniting with a friend in Gifu.


Before I knew it, I had traveled 650 kilometers in one week.


Yesterday, that was when
I 'landed on Earth'.


A friend brought me back to reality
from the state of floating in the air.


At that moment, I was surprised.


'Is it this heavy?'


My body felt as heavy as lead.


A sensation as if being sucked into the ground.


I was so impressed that I couldn't help but wonder,
'Is everyone moving around every day
while feeling like this?'


But then, I suddenly realized.


Ah, this is


what it means to 'want to take a break from myself'.


That's why I didn't schedule anything for today.


I ate brunch,
and just lounged around.


On a whim,
I made a simple pudding
with chia seeds, soy protein,
and frozen persimmons.


(I just mixed them, but it's just right for me now)


In the living room, my husband is watching TV
and solving a newspaper crossword puzzle.


Next to him, I am
lying on the carpet
and just 'letting myself rest'.


Looking back, the year before last.


Days when I was mostly bedridden due to menopause.
On top of that, I fell down the stairs and broke a bone.


It felt like one misfortune after another,
with crutches and a wheelchair,
experiencing things I don't usually experience,


but even though my body couldn't move,
my heart was actually excited and happy.


Back then, I only had time,
so I was just posting on YouTube.


Now, on the contrary, I'm moving too much,
videos are piling up,


and I'm enjoying writing on note,
which I can do with just my smartphone.


Even though I am the same 'me',
the flow has changed so much in a year.


And today,
the topic that appeared when I opened note was


'When you want to take a break from yourself'


Ah, this
is exactly about me right now.


A day that feels like a perfect reward
for the 650-kilometer travel distance this week.


A day to properly choose to do nothing.


From next week,
a fun spring break awaits,
where I can play a lot with my grandchild who will be a first grader.


So today,


I will rest well.


So that I can properly
connect to the next energy.


Because resting, too,
is an important talent of mine.

Yamane-san, thank you
as always for the wonderful topic.