[#CreativeAwardReview] Feel the happiness beyond the break!

Today, I will be writing my review of Mirai Yoshiho's "Limiter Break".

I was once taught while learning stretching that humans unconsciously set limiters on themselves to prevent breaking. It is said that while you can exert unimaginable strength, if you remove the limiter, your muscles cannot withstand it.

"But you know, everyone sets limiters on themselves before they even need to."

The teacher who said that pressed around my lower back. Then, my body stretched in an unbelievable way. Though I did say, "Ouch, ouch, ouch," and "Teacher, that's mean."

It seems there are many things we think we cannot do, even though they aren't our actual limits. The reason my stretching teacher's words came to mind while reading Yoshiho-san's work is likely because I have a lot of personal experience with this. I shudder to think how many limiters I have set and how many possibilities I have discarded until now.

While reading Yoshiho-san's work, I was reminded of my time from the upper grades of elementary school onwards. I had always loved writing compositions and was the kind of child who would get excited when manuscript paper was handed out. I didn't understand why everyone around me would groan, thinking, "This is so fun."

However, by the time I reached the upper grades, I started to become self-conscious about how others saw me.

"Writing reports is such a drag, lol."

The girls who said things like that looked cool to me. Even though I enjoyed it deep down, I couldn't deny it, and as I started agreeing with them, my writing deteriorated. Still, convinced somewhere inside that I had "literary talent," I remembered something like a novel I had written before and reread it.

In an instant, I blushed, tore it to shreds, and threw it away. From then until 2015, when I became a writer, I kept my distance from writing. I now regret that I lost to my own shame and wasted time by not writing.

It would have been fun if I had kept facing my writing during that time, too.

Perhaps it is because I have such regrets that I was so strongly drawn to Yoshiho-san's work. The work depicts people who, due to the eyes and evaluations of those around them, have set limiters on themselves and are struggling with their writing and their lives.

Is it okay for an adult to chase their dreams?
I'm not getting any recognition.
It would be embarrassing if people found out.

There are many people who don't realize that the shame of being an adult is narrowing their horizons.

Yoshiho-san's "Limiter Break" gently conveyed that to me. If you break the limits you set for yourself, there is happiness waiting beyond them.

It's okay to write what you love!
It's okay to lose track of time while reading!
Even as an adult, you don't have to hold back!

Now that I have finished reading it, my courage to write has doubled. I am filled with happiness to have encountered a work that unties so many "I can'ts."

Mirai Yoshiho-san, thank you so much for entering this contest. You gave me the courage to write. I offer you my heartfelt gratitude.