"He doesn't make me happy at all"—the true nature of that anger was the curse of the "Showa-era proposal."

*For those in a hurry, please check out the manga at the bottom.

"I want you to get married soon and see you happy, Sakiko."

Whenever my mother or my boss at work said that to me when I was single, I would mentally retort with all my might.

(No, I'm already happy enough as it is!?) (Can't they see how full of happiness I am... I'm living my life exactly how I want and having fun!)

I wasn't joking; I truly felt that way.

But now, I receive consultations like these every day.

"I want to divorce my husband. But, at this point..." "My life wasn't supposed to be like this." "He doesn't make me happy at all."

Especially common are consultations from wives and husbands in long-term marriages of over 20 or 30 years.

As I listen to their stories, I notice a "certain narrative" that they all share.

Doesn't your story sound something like this?

You got married, and children were born.

The days were dizzying, and before you knew it, years had passed. Sports days, entrance exams, the rebellious phase—you kept running recklessly for the sake of your children and your family.

And then one day, you suddenly realize.

The children have left the nest. The house has become quiet.

You finally take a breath, drink some tea slowly—

"...What was my happiness again?"

That question rises up from the depths of your heart, quietly but surely.

You worked hard for your family. That was real. But, where was "I" during all that time?

As if to fill that void, you find yourself overflowing with dissatisfaction toward your husband.

"He doesn't make me happy at all." "This wasn't supposed to be my life."

But is that really the case? Is the husband to blame?

Actually, that's not it.

The "curse of the Showa-era proposal" that binds you

Try to recall a drama from a little while ago, from the Showa era. The classic line for a proposal was this, wasn't it?

"I will make you happy for the rest of your life!"

It sounds romantic and wonderful. But there is a huge pitfall here.

That is—

"Marriage = something where you have the other person make you happy"—the assumption.

It is a state where you have handed over the steering wheel of your life entirely to the other person, saying, "Make me happy."

During child-rearing, that was hard to see. Because the "purpose in life" that was the children filled that void.

But when the children leave the nest, that void clearly reveals itself. And you end up directing the responsibility for that void toward the person closest to you, your husband (or wife).

This isn't because you are weak. It's because you are under a curse, so it's only natural that this happens.

The longer the years go by—20, 30 years—the deeper and heavier that accumulation becomes. That is why so many people feel "I've reached my limit" after reaching middle age.

Happiness is not something you receive from someone else

Let me talk a little about myself here.

I married what is called late in life. When I was single, even without being protected by someone or being made happy by someone, I stood on my own two feet and savored happiness with my own strength.

That's why every time I was told, "Get married soon and be happy," I truly wondered. (I'm already happy, though), I thought.

Happiness is not something handed to you like a gift from someone else. It is something you realize for yourself, thinking, "Oh, I was already happy."

When you are only looking at what you don't have, saying "I don't have this" or "He doesn't do this for me"—in reality, there is more than enough happiness right there.

• You were able to welcome the morning safely today

• Being able to enjoy a meal

• Having a home to return to

• Having ears that can listen to music I love

• Having children who are healthy

Did you think, "That's so obvious..."? But noticing those "things that are there for granted" is the shortest path to happiness.noticing those "things that are there for granted" is the shortest path to happiness.is the shortest path to happiness.

A prescription to break the spell: "Happiness Accumulation"

Expecting things from others, being disappointed, and expecting again—to break out of that loop, I recommend "Happiness Accumulation (Sachi-tsumi)".

The method is simple. Every day, just write down the small "good things" and "things I have" that are here right now in a notebook.

"I have this, too." "I have that, too."

Each one can be small. As you stack them up, before you know it—

"I don't need someone else to make me happy; I can make myself happy."

—an unshakable sense of self begins to grow.

For you, who have kept running for your family, this is the first time to pause for "me." That is Happiness Accumulation.

When that axis is aligned, whether you choose the path of divorce or the path of starting over, you will surely be able to walk toward the best answer "on your own two feet."

The answer is engraved in your destiny chart

No matter what choice you make, there is a way of life that is uniquely yours—that is also engraved in your destiny chart.

In Four Pillars of Astrology, you can decipher the temperament you were born with and what is happening in your life at this very moment.

Not to find the answer to "should I get a divorce?"—but to remember "what kind of person I want to cherish." Many people use readings for this purpose.

When you, who have kept running for your family, face "yourself" for the first time, having a map called Four Pillars of Astrology by your side can make things a little easier.

If you want to regain your sense of self, why not try reading your own unique map (destiny chart) together with me?

*I have turned this into a manga format. If you are in a hurry, please read from here.

Thank you for reading until the end.
Every day is surely a good day. "Every day is a lucky day"
Love&Peace💕