Speaking out brings a gentle breeze

It's hard to carry it all by yourself, isn't it?

When it comes to your health or worries, there are times when you really want someone to listen, but you just can't bring yourself to say it.

“Am I being a burden to everyone?”
“What will they think of me?”

You end up blaming yourself over and over again in your heart like that.

But I'm sure there are many people out there who keep trying their best just like that.

Today, I would like to share some stories where “trying to talk to someone”
led to a little bit of peace of mind and a more positive outlook.

When there is a place where you can talk quietly

One day, I received a consultation from someone at a workplace who said,
“There is a staff member who has been taking a lot of time off lately...”
“If the company approaches them directly, I'm afraid it might make them feel even more uneasy.”

That was the consultation I received.

When I first met that person,
honestly, they seemed very nervous at first.

Their gaze tended to drop,
and they replied with short, hesitant words.

“I feel so sorry for taking sudden time off because I'm not feeling well...”
“It's hard to tell people around me about my gynecological condition.”

They told me those feelings in a small voice.

At times,

“If I keep going like this, maybe I should just quit...”

Such murmurs also slipped out.

But soon after,
“But, I actually like my job and my colleagues.”
“I enjoy the time I spend working, and if possible, I want to do my best here.”

Little by little, they began to reveal the true feelings they had kept hidden deep in their heart.

Eventually, they began to speak bit by bit:

“I had gynecological surgery, and the medication for the follow-up treatment just doesn't agree with my body...”
“I often find myself unable to move suddenly in the morning, and I feel pathetic for having to take time off work.”

Such words also quietly escaped my lips.

Bit by bit, my heart began to loosen.

Though they were quiet at first,
as they spoke, their expression gradually softened.

I felt a sense of relief just by talking to someone like this.

The smile that appeared as the tension left their shoulders was truly memorable.

Having my feelings properly heard gave me more strength than I expected.

When they told me that,
I felt a warm glow in my own heart as well.

Small adjustments can increase peace of mind.

After that, regarding how to communicate with the workplace,
we all thought, 'It would be nice to have a more casual way to interact.'

So, we decided to try using a chat tool.

I get nervous on the phone or in person, but with chat, I can take my time writing down my feelings, which is a big help.

We received that feedback from them as well.

I'm feeling good today.
I'm not feeling well this morning, so I'll take it slow.

Being able to have exchanges like that,
the staff around them also said,

It's become easier to reach out to them than before.

That was the feedback we received.

Even if it's not a major change,
knowing that you don't have to bottle up your feelings and that you're not alone,

just by thinking that,
every day becomes a little bit kinder.

It's okay to just be yourself.

Perhaps, to those around, it might look like a 'small change'.

However, the courage to try talking to someone, or
finding small ways to make work a little easier,
is a very important step for that person.

“I feel a bit better after talking about it.”
“I think I can avoid blaming myself too much more than before.”

Such words remain warmly in my heart.

If you are reading this now and wondering, “Is it okay for me to talk about it too?”
please don't push yourself, and try relying on someone just a little bit.

It is okay not to try too hard on your own.
There is someone who will properly listen to your voice.

Today, too, please go at your own pace.
May your days become a little gentler, step by step.