Today, I retired from the workplace where I worked for 25 years.
5:13 AM.
I woke up earlier than usual.
It is sunny outside the window.
The sky is clear and blue,
making it perfect weather for this milestone day.
"So, this day has finally come."
While reading my daily routine,
One Piece in Weekly Shonen Jump,
"A new day of setting sail, just like Luffy."
That is what I thought.
25 years.
Before I knew it, I had spent that much time
at one company.
I interacted with many people and fulfilled many duties.
The days I was scolded, the days I was thanked,
and the nights I couldn't sleep out of frustration
are all, now, important times
that have shaped who I am.
They turned me, who was nobody, into someone.
I think they made me an individual, not just a job title.
My final day at work.
Today, I am just here to receive my resignation notice,
but I feel a little nervous, a little relaxed,
and somehow, it is a strange feeling.
Is it because I was busy moving
and organizing my belongings
at my wife's parents' home in Kansai until yesterday?
I feel organized myself,
and my body feels strangely light.
I arrived at the company quite early.
My boss was waiting for me,
dressed in cool, comfortable Cool Biz attire.
"You're earlier than the scheduled time."
"You're early too, Manager."
"Thank you for everything today."
I took out the things I had been using at the company from my bag.
"Thank you so much for everything."
"Yeah. I really wanted you to work a little longer."
"Thank you."
I wonder why.
Is it because I am already moving on to the next thing?
Until recently, I wanted to leave the company as soon as possible
and I should have been fed up with it.
I realized that all the unnecessary emotions within me had been completely stripped away.
I noticed it.
"Just hearing you say that is enough for me."
In that moment, I truly felt that I could draw a line and move on.
"Well then, let's proceed with the official notice of resignation."
"Yes, please."
The official notice process ended in the blink of an eye,
and I was able to clearly express my gratitude
to my superiors and managers.
"Thank you so much for everything up until now."
"Let's keep in touch if we happen to meet somewhere again."
"Yes, I look forward to that as well."
I felt refreshed.
Then, I bowed and left the room.
As I passed through the staff entrance, the morning air felt just as it always did.
Today is Monday.
I used to feel so depressed on this day.
I remembered my past self and smiled.
Back then, I never thought a day like this would come.
For today only, I want to praise my past self.
I'm just an ordinary person, but I feel like I've managed to break
out of my shell a little.
Honestly, there were many times when the interpersonal relationships were tough, but
there were also people who helped me, and I managed to make it this far.
And from today, I will walk my own path.
Honestly, I don't know what will happen.
But thinking that I won't be working here anymore,
I felt that the world and my daily life were quietly changing.
There were people who told me, 'Thank you for your 25 years of hard work.'
There were also people who just bowed without saying a word.
I understood that they were conveying feelings that couldn't be put into words
in their own ways.
I suppose there are people I won't see again.
Thinking about that makes me feel a little lonely.
I couldn't tell everyone directly, but
I looked back at the office one last time.
I felt nothing but gratitude.
I called my wife who is in Kansai.
'Hello, I just left the office.'
'How was it? Is it over?'
'Yeah, I said my goodbyes properly.'
'Thank you for your service!'
She said it in a deep voice, the way you'd greet someone just released from prison.
As always, she had to add some humor.
I have nothing but gratitude for my wife.
'Thank you.'
The reason for my retirement cannot be explained in a single word.
However, it was a necessary decision to 'live my own life for myself.'
I can think that way now.
Beyond this, there is scenery I have yet to see waiting for me.
Relocation. Changing jobs. Studying.
There are so many things I want to try.
I have anxieties, too. But the excitement is greater.
From now on, I will live by valuing my honest feelings.
25 years spent serving others.
From now on, I will spend my time for myself
and for the people who are important to me.
That I was able to mark this day with a sense of closure.
That I was able to choose my own path once again.
I am grateful once more.
Thank you for reading this far.
I wrote this because I wanted to leave a record of
this 'first day' of my life.
Now, in a new place,
I will begin my next story.
I write various notes.
The days leading up to my retirement, and what comes next.
Updated August 16, 2026. I turned this article into a manga.
Please check that out as well.
Until I retired, I felt conflicted.
The relocation plan is the biggest mission that will determine my future.
What to do next? The journey to find new 'honey' has just begun.
For now, it might be a good thing to try playing Momotetsu.
The number of times you step up to the plate attracts your wishes.
By making it a habit, I acquired 10 weapons
and the strength to overcome the demon of the third day,
and along the way, I was able to dig deep and find the strength to overcome malice as well.
As a result, I learned that the world is kind to challengers.
In the end, those who enjoy themselves win.