I made a ZINE about enjoying housework almost entirely by myself / 'Monthly tote' (July 2025 issue)

In this article, I am distributing the July issue of the private monthly magazine 'Monthly tote' for free.

What is 'Special Housework'?

This past New Year's Eve, I completed 10 years of 'daily updates' on my housework blog.

It was an attempt called '365 Days of Special Housework,' where I aimed to practice 365 'slightly special housework tasks' in one year.

Commonly known as 'Tote Kaji'.

Having faced 3,653 special housework tasks over 10 years has become a great source of pride for me, someone who had produced many blank diaries from the very beginning.

▼ Here is an article that serves as my self-introduction.

Just because I stopped updating my blog doesn't mean I stopped doing special housework; in fact, I have started sharing even more special housework than I did during my blog days.

When I started posting on X with the rule that it was okay to use short sentences and not worry about how the photos looked, I realized that I had already done nearly 50 'special housework tasks' by the middle of January.

Yes, 'special housework' has become as natural as breathing to me, so there were actually many things I couldn't write about on the blog.
By posting casually and loosely on X, I hope to record many 'small efforts' that had previously slipped through the cracks.

I hope you enjoy this month's 'tote' as well.

Here is a look at a portion of the image version of tote.

Please check the PDF for the complete version, which includes information on how to apply for the reader corner, a housework calendar, and more.

Click here for the free PDF version

You can download it from here and print it at home or at a convenience store. It is free.

About this month's contributed essay

We received essays again this month.
Thank you so much!

Here are the contributors featured.

▼ Nami-san: 'Beating the Summer Heat with Himuro Manju'

▼ Hikari-san: 'Somen and Tempura are Summer Memories'

▼ Tomoshibi Hanamura-san: 'July is for Parents' Acclimatization Childcare'

Hikari-san has submitted for four consecutive issues, and Tomoshibi-san has submitted for five consecutive issues! Thank you both.

Regarding the 'Reading Project x Essay Call' for the September issue

Well then, we are accepting essays for the September issue as well. (The August deadline was June 24th.)
Since it is during the Creative Awards period, there might be a delay, but as of now, this is the scheduled timeline.

July 16 (0:00) – July 20 (23:59)

I will also read submissions received after the deadline.
I cannot feature them or write a review article, but I will leave a brief comment with my thoughts ☺️

▼ These are the submission guidelines from the past. I expect them to be the same.

While I can only feature about 3 to 5 people in the magazine, I will read everyone's work and write feedback. Also, as a participation bonus, I will send a list of keywords that can serve as hints for your essays.

＊Other Announcements＊

▼ I have finished submitting to all categories of the Creative Awards. There are many works, but if I had to choose one that I really want you to read, it would be 'Sukui' (Rescue/Scooping).
It is themed around work and daily life.

*Editor's Note*

Planning it alone, writing the text alone, drawing the pictures alone, taking the photos alone, and editing it alone. This routine, which can only be described as crazy, has already reached its eighth month.

This month, I put all my energy into the Creative Awards, so I released it 10 days later than usual. The volume also ended up being a little smaller ><
I hope to be able to increase the volume a bit for next month's issue. If there are any special features you'd like to read, I would really appreciate it if you could share your thoughts via the link below...! I struggle with coming up with a theme every month.

Thank you very much for all your cooperation! I look forward to your continued support next month.

Written by: Rinka Sanjo

Reader Corner: Please tell us about your "Today's Tote Housework"

If the number of submissions is low,
there is a possibility that I will add illustrations,
and I also consult with "Tote Housework Lab" members to have them featured.

Feel free to join in!

*Please note that I have set it up so that email addresses are not collected, so please feel free to answer with peace of mind.