Nagoshi no Harae: A day to be a little kind to yourself after six months of hard work

Before you know it, it's already June 30th.

The year that began with the thought, "I'll do my best this year," has already passed its halfway point in the blink of an eye.

What kind of half-year has the first half of this year been for you?

Some may have progressed as they hoped, while others may feel like they "couldn't do anything."

But today is not a day to blame yourself for that.

Today is the day of "Nagoshi no Harae" (the Summer Purification Ritual), a tradition passed down in Japan since ancient times.

What kind of day is Nagoshi no Harae?

Nagoshi no Harae is a Shinto ritual held every year on June 30th.

It is performed at shrines across the country as a ceremony to purify the "kegare" (impurities) that have unknowingly accumulated during the first half of the year, and to pray for a healthy second half.

The "kegare" referred to here does not mean that you have done something bad.

Daily fatigue, stress, worries, sadness, irritation, anxiety...

The heaviness of the heart and body that naturally accumulates while living is also considered a form of "kegare."

That is why a day is set aside once every six months to reset.

To you, who have worked hard for the past six months

We tend to say harsh things to ourselves, such as:

"I should have been able to do more."
"I haven't grown at all."
"I failed again this year."

But when you look back on the past six months, visible results are not the only "proof of your hard work."

Going to work every day.

Continuing to do housework.

Going to school.

Getting up in the morning even when you were feeling down.

Being able to go to the hospital.

Even if no one noticed, each of these things is a time you have certainly accumulated.

Nagoshi no Harae may not be a day to push yourself to "work harder," but rather a day to be kind to yourself and say, "You've walked well this far."

It's okay if you can't go to a shrine

Of course, it would be wonderful if you could go to a shrine.

Some people may feel a little lighter after passing through the chinowa (grass ring) or offering a prayer.

But there are also people who cannot go because they are busy or not feeling well.

In such cases, it is recommended to try a small "reset" at home.

・Tidy up your room for just 5 minutes.

・Open a window to let in fresh air.

・Slowly drink a cup of warm tea.

・Write down how you are feeling right now on a piece of paper.

・Say to yourself, "Thank you for your hard work over the past six months."

What is important is not the form, but "drawing a line" to mark a transition.

Just stopping for a moment and taking time to care for yourself is enough.

The remaining six months don't have to be perfect

There are still six months left in the year.

Even if the first half didn't go as planned, that doesn't determine the outcome of the year.

Conversely, even if things were going well, there is no guarantee they will continue to go well from here on out.

That is precisely why what matters is "starting to walk again from here, today."

You don't have to try to change drastically.

If you can move just a little bit further than yesterday, that is enough.

If today is a bit tough, it's okay to have a day where you do nothing.

Nagoshi no Harae is a day that teaches us to "reset and start again."

Please, instead of blaming yourself today, say to yourself, "Thank you so much for everything up to this point."

Today's reflection exercise

To you who have read this article.

If you'd like, why not take a little time to face yourself?

* What are the things I worked hard on in the past six months?
* What are the anxieties or worries I want to let go of?
* What is the most important thing I want to cherish in the remaining six months?

The answers don't have to be grand.

May you be able to reward yourself for the past six months and take a new step forward.