Changes in 3 Days Since Starting | Writing Life Project Feedback

Facilitating the Writing Life Project, what makes me feel incredibly excited is when I sense the 'changes' in those who participate. Among everyone who has taken part so far, there hasn't been a single person who didn't experience any change at all, but the changes in M, who wrote this feedback, happened so rapidly that I was truly surprised.

M was introduced to me by N, who took the project last year. Shortly after M started participating in the project, N told me, 'M's expression has changed so much! They look so much brighter!!' It made me realize once again the power of 'writing'—that it can cause changes visible even to those around you!

That said, I believe these changes were only possible because of M's honesty, sincerity, and genuine affection for those around them.
Thank you so much, M!

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[Why did you decide to participate in the Writing Life Project?]
I was invited by a trusted friend around December. Although I was interested, once I found out there was a cost involved, I assumed it was a type of self-help program and didn't feel it was necessary for me, so I let the deadline pass. After that, various things happened that made me rethink myself. As I approached 40, I decided that even if I felt I was being deceived, it might be worth trying. When I re-evaluated my perspective, the current recruitment started the very next day, so I took it as a sign and decided to participate.

[What left an impression on you during the Writing Life Project?]
Everything left an impression, but I remember being moved when you expressed and verbalized my trivial thoughts in your feedback. Also, I found myself checking my email history every week, looking forward to the feedback, feeling like a student waiting for a reply from someone they like. Additionally, the exercise of listing people I dislike and then forgiving them was very memorable. Taking the people I had struggled to name and replacing them with myself to forgive them—that was quite a challenge.

[What is the biggest change that occurred after participating in the Writing Life Project?]
Three days after starting, my company's evaluation changed, and I was promoted. I was so surprised that I was in a daze all day. Also, for the first two weeks, I was surprised by various realizations every day. I have been wanting to take my time to write this survey, which I am submitting late, and I feel like I am finally making the time to do so now.

[Who would you recommend the Writing Life Project to?]
I would recommend it to people who are working hard every day to improve with their families. Also, to the juniors I will be educating in the future. Or to friends who are working hard earnestly but feel stuck.

[Please share your thoughts on the Writing Life Project.]
Honestly, I didn't have even 1% of a feeling that I could keep this up. Even when things changed, I didn't feel like I had changed myself, and even when I realized things, I was confused because I couldn't quite internalize them. By the time I reached the third week, I noticed a change in how I perceived things. I realized I was able to respond calmly to situations that would have previously upset me. From there, I started receiving comments from those around me, and I began to consciously feel my way toward reaching my goals. This is the first time I have been able to accept myself so fully and spend every day happily. As I am about to turn 40, I am grateful to be able to understand myself and walk forward with hope for the future.

[Please leave a message for the facilitator.]
There have been many times when I've paid for something and later felt it was expensive. I felt that way when I received the first feedback, but I was surprised by how much I got for the price I initially paid!! I am truly grateful for how carefully you felt the content of what I had scribbled down, how you conveyed it in words, and how fun the writing was—I looked forward to the feedback every time, and reading it made me think about how much I had grown. Thank you for seeing my past and my future without any secrets, and for acknowledging me without ever having met in person. Thank you.

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The 3rd Writing Life Project is now open for applications starting today!