The Current Position and Future of an Occupational Therapist Who Felt Uncertain About Their Way of Working

I am Natsuki, a working mom and occupational therapist.

I have been working as an occupational therapist for over 10 years, but I haven't really stood out, I'm still as busy as ever, and I wonder where on earth I will end up??

I was feeling this vague sense of uncertainty around 2020, when I returned to work after giving birth to my second son.

I realized I couldn't move forward while feeling this way, so after a lot of trial and error, I have been writing this note since the autumn of 2024.

What is the true nature of this uncertainty?

I think what I was feeling was what is known as a midlife crisis.

I learned the term 'midlife crisis' from the book 'Life Strategy to Smoothly Overcome the Wall of 40' by Haru Oishi, which stated that in the middle of life, people start to wonder if they should continue as they are and feel lost.

As I approached my late 30s, became a mother, and took on a leadership role at work, the more roles I took on, the more I felt a vague anxiety that something was missing and that I shouldn't just keep going like this.

Don't you ever feel that way?

Trial and error during the period of uncertainty

To face the wall of 40, I started various things one by one, even if they were small.

• Keeping a household account book and reviewing income and expenses: Yes

• Reviewing and switching insurance policies: Yes

• Systematizing education funds: Yes

• Opening a new NISA account and starting investments: Yes

• Having a life plan created: Yes

• Reading books: Excellent

• Listening to Audible during my commute: Excellent

• Start X (formerly Twitter): ◎

• Start a blog: ×

• Start Instagram: ×

• Start CrowdWorks: ×

• Sell items on Mercari: ◯

• Do morning activities: ×

• Walk my second son to daycare: ◎

• Keep a planner: ◎

• Sleep well (prioritize sleep): △

◎ indicates things currently in progress, ◯ indicates things that required action at the time and were good to do, △ indicates things that are ongoing but insufficient, and × indicates things I have stopped.

When you're feeling uncertain, I think it's important to resolve your financial anxieties first.

Reviewing insurance, systematizing education funds, opening a new NISA account, and designing a life plan arethings you should just try doing; it's all about taking action.

I shattered my illusions by taking action.

During my period of uncertainty, I was, albeit reluctantly, looking for ways to quit my current job.

Growing a side business to become a freelancer! or
cherishing time with my children through a home-based business! or
there was a time I longed for those things.

Earning money with just one laptop, like through a blog or CrowdWorks, is an ideal.

However,
the world isn't that easy.

What I thought after trying it was,is this really what I want to do??—that was the question.

Deciding to work on two fronts

After a period of trial and error, I decided to try my best on two fronts!

• Enhancing what I can do as an occupational therapist

• Monetizing the skills I possess

For me right now, the fixed salary I earn as an employee is an essential income that protects our livelihood.

I do have complaints about the benefits and the way of working.

I have started to think that there is much more I can do as an occupational therapist right now, and that I am in a phase and position where I can take the initiative.

I want to promote no-lifting care in my workplace.

The most prominent issue at my current workplace is the promotion of no-lifting care.

Although my own proficiency is still shallow, I want to do my best to meet the demands placed upon me.

I will conduct training!
I will put it into practice!

Since I just attended a practical training session the other day, I want to move forward while this passion is still fresh.

I want to write paid articles on note.

While trying various things during my period of uncertainty, I realized that writing and summarizing my experiences are things I can do without burden (my skills/strengths).

There are several themes I am writing about on note, and all of them are familiar to me.

I write articles every day with the hope that the experience I gained through my own detours and getting lost might be useful to someone.

I am looking ahead to writing paid articles as a future goal.

I want to turn my uncertainty into the power to create my own answers.

It is said that the etymology of the word 'akirameru' (to give up) comes from 'making clear' or 'clarifying'.

After going through a period of uncertainty and trial and error, I was able to 'give up' in a positive sense on the idea that working from home, being a freelancer, or starting a business is not what I want to do.

I think I was able to come to this conclusion precisely because I took action.

It's okay to feel uncertain.
Take action, fail, and find the answers for yourself.

I want to dash through the remaining quarter of 2025 with this stance.