Continuing to eliminate the four toxins has changed my definition of 'seriousness' a little.

Hello, this is Shizukana Tane🌱

1. Why do the most serious people seem to have the hardest time?

I have been thinking about something lately.

'Serious people are admirable.'

I was taught that from the time I was a child.

Don't be late. Work properly. Don't complain. Fit in with those around you.

I thought that was what it meant to be serious.

But, I sometimes wonder.

Why is it that the people who work the most seriously seem to be the most exhausted?

There are many serious people at my workplace, too.

They have a sense of responsibility, never turn down a request, and cover for others when they take time off.

That in itself is a very noble thing.

But if what lies at the end of that hard work is,

'I'm tired,' 'I'm struggling,' or 'I have no room to breathe,'

then it makes me think a little.

2. What I've come to see through eliminating the four toxins

Since I started eliminating the four toxins, I have come to listen to my body's voice more often.

I want something sweet. I'm tired. I'm sleepy. I'm pushing myself too hard.

I no longer ignore those small feelings of discomfort as much as I used to.

Then, I started to see my work a little differently, too.

Wearing down my body.

Wearing down my spirit.

Is that really what it means to be serious?

What is even more painful is,

that when wearing yourself down becomes the norm, you sometimes end up demanding the same of others.

Of course, there may be no ill intent.

But when you use wearing yourself down as the standard, it can sometimes look like laziness when someone else tries to protect themselves.

3. What does it really mean to be serious?

I've been thinking about this lately.

Being truly serious might mean,

taking care of your own body.

not pushing yourself too hard.

resting when necessary.

And perhaps, it means enjoying your own life.

Being serious toward society is also important.

But before that,

I don't want to forget to be serious toward myself.

4. When you value yourself, you can be kind to others, too.

As I continue to eliminate the four toxins, I've started to think about things like this.

In the past, pushing myself too hard was the norm for me.

Working hard even when I was tired.

Enduring even when I was struggling.

I thought that was what it meant to be serious.

But now, it's a little different.

If I'm tired, I rest.

If I'm about to push myself too hard, I stop.

I've come to realize that listening to the voice of my own body and mind is also an important form of 'seriousness'.

Then, strangely enough, I feel like I've become kinder to the people around me than I was before.

As I've stopped blaming myself as much, I've also started blaming others a little less.

When I have more room in my heart, I've become able to think, 'Maybe that person is tired, too.'

Perhaps, in order to be kind to others, it is necessary to first cherish yourself.

5. I want to put things in order little by little

Removing the four toxins hasn't just changed what I eat; it has gradually changed how I face myself.

Without rushing, without cutting corners.

From here on out, while remaining serious about myself, I want to continue to quietly put things in order.

Thank you for adding me to your magazine

🌱 Miyu | A person who organizes life's difficultiesさん

She manages a magazine called 'Notes that illuminated me'.

She collects articles that make your heart feel lighter or provide new insights, and she has included my article as well😊

Thank you so much.