The Traveling Study | Essay

Although it's difficult to do lately because I have a family, I have loved driving alone since I was single.

I currently drive a minivan I bought 10 years ago, and since it feels very spacious when I'm alone, it somehow feels like a private room just for me—a study.

When I'm alone, if I get tired of driving, I can recline the seat and lounge around, read my favorite books while munching on coffee and snacks, listen to my favorite music, daydream about the future to my heart's content, or just zone out without thinking about anything at all.

One thing I always bring with me when I drive is a book.

Of course, I can't read while driving, and there are many times when I end up just driving and don't read at all.

But just like my daily commute, it's an item I don't feel comfortable without, along with my smartphone.

On the other hand, sometimes it's a hassle to think, "Hmm, which book should I take today?" when I'm packing for the car, so I'm thinking of eventually keeping a dedicated set of books in the car.

For example, I'd like to keep a permanent supply of genres I can easily pick up and read, like "self-help," "philosophy," or "essays"—books I don't read that often but might suddenly feel like reading in a quiet moment.

I also want to set up an environment where I can use a PC in the car.

When various creative ideas pop into my head while driving, I could pull over somewhere, open up Note, and quickly jot down the title and the main points.

My smartphone is enough for this, but if I get on a roll with my writing, a PC is definitely faster for typing, so I want an environment where I can use one.

Beyond that, for napping or lounging when I'm not driving, reading, or writing, I'd also like a comfortable seat or pillow to lie down on, and a speaker to listen to music while parked. The more I think about it, the more things I want.

If I could get all of this together, it would truly be a "mobile study."

Actually, if I want to be even more greedy, I want to make it a "traveling study."

On note, I mainly write short-shorts, but drawing on my experience of traveling alone to all 47 prefectures—albeit broadly and shallowly—I sometimes write stories while recalling the landscapes, historical buildings, and food of those places.

However, as my memories fade, it is inevitably difficult to write about the details. If I could go to the actual locations, feel the atmosphere of the land with my whole body, and write while still in that frame of mind, I could surely write even better works than I do now.

I love historical novels, and I am certain that historical novelists must not only consult documents but also visit the actual settings of their stories to breathe in the atmosphere of those places.

I would be truly happy if I could write like those professional authors.

The Traveling Study.

Just imagining it makes me chuckle to myself.

I currently live in Tokyo with my family, and since I use my car daily, I cannot turn it into a study.

However, the chance to make it a reality will come in two years.

In my current career path, I am expected to be transferred to a regional branch office once in my 40s. In my case, I had been putting it off due to family circumstances, but in two years, those circumstances will have settled, and I will be able to transfer anywhere in the country.

At that time, I will be living away from my family, but since I am the only one who drives my car and it is not inconvenient to live without one in Tokyo, I will likely take it with me to my new post.

When that happens, I want to pack my PC and plenty of books and go on carefree day trips (or overnight trips) to places that strike my fancy on my days off.

Just thinking about it now makes me feel incredibly excited.

In this busy world, we don't have the luxury of thinking about such trivial things, but there are surely moments when we can find a little peace of mind.

At those times, I hope I can take a moment to think about what I want to enjoy, what I want to try, and what I want to feel.

The title of this essay, The Traveling Study, is something I came up with to write about when I have that little bit of peace of mind.

What does your 'dream study' look like?
When you have even a little bit of room in your heart,
why not write about it on your note?

This essay is an entry for the Yuzu-san project #DreamStudy🍀
Thank you for such a wonderful project.

Please, do tell me about your dream studies✨️
I'm looking forward to it🎵

Thank you for reading this far🍀

#DreamStudy
#Essay
#MyCoffeeTime
#MyBookshelf