Don't put 'I like this' on hold. The practice of believing in myself started with chopsticks.

'Let's believe in ourselves.'
I see words like that sometimes.

It is said that by doing so, it leads to self-confidence and allows us to be kinder to ourselves.

In my head, I felt like I sort of understood.

But for a long time, I couldn't quite grasp it as a feeling.

What does it mean to believe?
How can I believe in myself?

I think I was vaguely thinking about things like that.

But lately, I've been thinking.

Perhaps, rather than 'believing in myself,' I might be starting with 'practicing believing in my own senses.'

The trigger was chopsticks.

It happened a few years ago when I was eating at a specialty soba noodle shop.

They were using chopsticks with very thin tips.

'I didn't know chopsticks could have such thin tips.'

The moment I brought the food to my mouth while thinking that, I was unexpectedly surprised.

It's delicious.

No, that's not all.
It feels incredibly good to eat with them.

It felt as if only the food was entering my mouth.

The chopsticks didn't get in the way.

That sensation was incredibly comfortable.

I had never felt that eating was pleasant before, so while I was surprised by this new sensation, my heart skipped a beat.

So, after the meal, when I discovered the same chopsticks for sale next to the register, I instinctively thought about buying them. However, they had a very simple design, so I ended up going home without buying them that day.

A while after that,
I went to visit Miyajima.

I wandered into a chopstick specialty shop and discovered a pair with thin tips.

The sensation I felt at that soba restaurant came rushing back to me. And this time, it was a pair where I loved both the color and the pattern. I didn't think they were quite as ultra-thin as the others, but this time, I took them home without hesitation.

When I used them, they were indeed different from what I was used to.

When I brought the food to my mouth, the chopsticks didn't make their presence felt.
It felt like I could taste only the food, which was very pleasant.

Even though it was my usual meal, I felt like it had become a slightly richer experience. I also felt like eating at home had become more enjoyable.

A few months later,
I had an opportunity to confirm that feeling again.

After work, I had the chance to enjoy a delicious seafood set meal. Looking at the fresh sashimi, I excitedly broke apart the disposable chopsticks and took a bite.

In that moment, I thought,

Huh?

It's delicious.
But something is different.

At that moment, the thought crossed my mind that maybe I should have brought my chopsticks from home.

I thought to myself that maybe I was a bit strange. But I couldn't stop thinking about that feeling.

A few months later, I had the opportunity to go to the same shop again.

Alright!

This time, I actually put those chopsticks in my bag.

And then...
It really was different.

For me, the food tasted even better when I ate it with these chopsticks.

At that moment, I finally understood.

I like this mouthfeel.

In the past, I didn't really know what I liked.

I guess this price is fine.
It looks good based on the reviews.

I think I often chose things that way.

But recently, things have changed a little.

When my body says 'I like this,' I try not to put that voice on hold.

Of course, that feeling isn't always right.

So, I try using it in my daily life once.
I check for myself if it's truly comfortable.

And I keep increasing the number of experiences where I can say, 'I really did like it after all.'

As I did so, the moments where I could think, 'It's okay for me to value this feeling,' gradually began to increase.

The phrase 'believing in myself' still feels a bit too big for me even now.

But for me, it's not about suddenly believing in big decisions,

'I like these chopsticks.'
'This glass feels comforting.'
'This place feels pleasant somehow.'

It's about taking those small physical sensations and accepting them as they are. I feel like it's okay to start there. Perhaps that accumulation of moments will lead to self-trust before I even realize it.

Another view 🌿
Choosing things that make me think, 'I like this.' And then, how to live with the precious things I've chosen. From a single blue glass, I encountered a similar question once again.