[Thank You] Important things I realized after releasing my first e-book

Hello, this is Saori. It is truly cold today due to the cold wave that has arrived.

Today, I am looking back on yesterday, when I released my e-book.

My honest feeling is that I am quite relieved to have successfully released the e-book.

Thank you so much! (Thanks to everyone picking up a copy, I was able to reach #1 in two new release categories yesterday; I am so grateful.)

Whether you always support me on note, watch over me quietly, or support me in any other way, I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart.

Yesterday, I also tried posting an announcement about the e-book release on X (formerly Twitter).

While I certainly hoped people would read it, more than that, most of the instructors and peers from the "Story College" course that inspired me to create the e-book are connected with me on X, so I wanted to share the news and express my gratitude.

Also, I had a feeling it might be encouraging for peers who are planning to publish e-books in the future or those who think, "I have something I want to convey, and I really want to publish, but..."

However, I was nervous about the release post and hesitated for a few seconds before pressing the post button, but I thought, "It's time to commit, Saori. Here goes!" and clicked it (laughs).

That said, since I haven't been posting on X much lately, I honestly thought, "There probably won't be much of a reaction." (Many of my X followers are already veterans at working from home, after all...)

But there were more comments and reposts than I expected, and with notifications from X arriving every few minutes, I found myself pacing around my room and living room for no reason (laughs).

I felt nervous, thinking, "Ugh... it's unsettling to have my post stand out so much," but the warm "Congratulations" comments and "likes" kept my heart feeling cozy throughout the day.

Peers from my writing school, clients I am indebted to, former colleagues I used to work with, fellow writers in the same industry, people from different industries, and so on...

As I looked back on my encounters, nostalgic episodes, and memories with each and every person who reached out or commented, the moment I typed "Thank you," I felt a joy that words cannot describe.

Honestly, it felt strange to be told "Congratulations" for a work (the e-book) that I created on my own.

As I was typing, I vaguely thought, "Oh, this warm feeling, it's similar to something?" and realized it's similar to a birthday.

A birthday is a day in the year when you are often told "Congratulations!" by others, and the person being told says "Thank you!" in return, right?

For me, a birthday has also been a milestone day where, as the one being told "Congratulations," I feel renewed gratitude toward others, thinking, "I am supported by those around me. I couldn't have done it alone."

I think yesterday was a day where I was able to experience that kind of "birthday-like" warmth. My heart felt warm until I fell asleep.

But in truth, I realized that it wasn't just yesterday; you have always been there around me.

It just so happened that yesterday was a day with a topic that people around me were likely to react to, which was my "e-book release," and I realized thatI already had so many supporters around me.

Realizing that, I am simply overflowing with feelings of gratitude.

I thought that perhaps, realizing this fact andbeing the kind of person who naturally feels "thank you" toward those around them is what leads to a higher level of happiness. Realizing you are not alone, and accepting the kindness from those around you.

It was a day that reminded me once again of such important things.

＊

Truly, thank you always.

Thank you for reading this text to the very end.

It looks like the cold days will continue for a while, so please take good care of yourselves.