Time with children is shorter than you think. That's why I changed how I work

Nice to meet you. I am Itsumi Haru.

If you are currently
“wondering if this way of working is really okay” and
find yourself pausing in a fleeting moment,
this text is for you.

I always believed that working full-time was the “correct answer.” Working properly.

Earning properly.
Creating a place for myself in society properly.
I thought that was the only way to protect myself and my family.

But one day, I reached my limit. When I was taken by ambulance and looked up at the ceiling, I realized it for the first time.

I had been “working hard” in the wrong way.

I was so desperate to protect my income that I put everything else on the back burner—my own health, and above all, the time to watch my children's smiles up close.

I suddenly wondered,
how much time do my children have left to spend at home?

This moment right now might be much shorter than I think.

Once I realized that, I graduated from full-time work and changed my working style to shorter hours.

Honestly, I was scared. My income would decrease.
There was still anxiety about the future.
But continuing to “work in a way that wears me down” was
even scarier.

Now, I live a lifestyle of
“placing a little bit of challenge on top of security.”

Protecting time with my family through part-time work with shorter hours.
Gradually building up work I can do from home.
Things I love, like beauty and the handmade crafts I've been doing for 15 years.

I don't have any flashy success stories.
But I am writing here about how to move forward little by little while carefully protecting my daily life—by not overdoing it, not wearing myself down, and not rushing.

In this note, I write about such “records of organizing my work style,” “protective beauty” for busy moms, and the small happiness found in daily life.

If you are feeling a little tired right now,
please don't rush. You can choose your work style again and again.

If my words have touched your heart somewhere,
I would be happy if you followed me.
If I could talk here with you, who is also struggling but still looking forward,
and make this a place where we can support each other, I think that would be wonderful.

In this note, I write about records of organizing my work style and small daily happiness. I have compiled the trajectory of my activities into magazines by theme.

📖 “Protective Beauty” for Busy Moms This is a record of self-care where I don't overdo it and take care of myself.

📖 The challenge of working in a way that suits me I am documenting my trial and error process as I take new steps while raising children.

I hope to make this a record that will make your heart feel a little lighter when you look back on it. Please feel free to follow me and come take a peek from time to time.

[Update: March 29, 2026]
The writer Taichi-san has turned my journey so far into a wonderful article.
From the time I was running desperately on my own, to now, where I 'design my way of working' to protect time with my family. Taichi-san has woven the wishes I couldn't put into words by myself into a supple story.
There is no better writing than this to get to know the person I am. I would be very happy if you could take a look at it as well.

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