The Resolve to Seek Support

From the outside, people might think he's living a carefree life. But the desperate battle behind the scenes, unseen by others, is grueling. It's indescribable. Yet, I will push through.

Taro Okamoto's words have pushed me forward many times in the past, such as when I decided to quit my job or when I decided to travel across America by bicycle. This time is no different.

Of course, I'm scared. But that's when you make your resolve. 'Alright, I'll just let myself fail.' When you do that, strength wells up inside you. You just have to be prepared that if you can't eat, you can't eat. That's the first step. That's more interesting.

A week ago, just deciding to go abroad was a big resolution, but when I think about what I want to achieve and the contributions I can make to others, it seems much more interesting to boldly raise funds and continue my travels and sharing my story more daringly and for a longer period.

Yesterday, when I wrote that a customer at Starbucks told me, 'If you do a crowdfunding campaign, I'll support you,' a close friend who saw it also contacted me, saying, 'I feel the same way, even if my contribution is small. I hope that even small efforts like mine can add up to something big. In times like these, those of us supporting you aren't looking for a return, so I think you should do whatever makes things easier for you, Yota-san.' I almost cried.

I couldn't help but wonder why there are so many people who support me like this.

Then my friend Hori-kun said, 'It's hard to put into words, but maybe it's your personality and the expectation that you'll do something interesting. Conversely, I don't think business-oriented content that's meant to be useful would be a good match (I'm sure you could do it, but it doesn't seem to fit your character).'

Exactly. If I were expected to produce business-oriented content in exchange for support, it would be mentally draining for me, and perhaps I was afraid of imagining that pressure. Conversely, if the sentiment is 'Enjoy your travels and sharing your story freely,' then I would be very happy. From experience, I know that when I'm in that state, synchronicity is most likely to occur, and I can produce the best output. I can deliver joy to others.

The rest depends on my own heart and resolve. This is a challenge I've been pointed toward many times, not just this time, but I want to overcome the mental block regarding receiving money. I've often avoided things out of unnecessary hesitation, even when the intentions were good. Perhaps gratefully and happily accepting is a win-win for both sides. I will try not to feel guilty and hold firmly to the feeling that 'this allows me to keep the cycle of gratitude going.'

Of course, there will be criticism of my methods, and I intend to take opinions as sincerely as possible. Even so, if I were to disregard the feelings and words of those who are going out of their way to support me just because of a blind, defensive desire to 'not be criticized,' then the question becomes, 'Who are you facing?' Since it's fundamentally difficult to satisfy everyone, I want to at least face those who are supporting me and have them enjoy it.

Alright, I've made up my mind. I will raise funds. And I will enjoy my travels to the fullest, write, and give back to the world. I want to keep the cycle of money and gratitude moving.

It's a two-year plan. This year, I'll get my body used to it with shorter trips and experiment with what kind of writing I can do. Then, next year, I'll take on an even bigger challenge. At that time, I want to do an even more fun project that can also gain support from companies.

It's frustrating. At first, the possibility of receiving support didn't even cross my mind, so I planned a normal trip. If I had had the desire to take on a big challenge even with support from the beginning, I would have wanted to do a bold trip using about three full months. But I couldn't even have that idea just ten days ago. Over the past week, my feelings have gradually changed due to the encouragement and support from everyone, which exceeded my expectations. It's frustrating, but I want to take it positively.

This year's trip is not an 'amazing trip' from an objective point of view. But for me, it was something that required great resolve. Even with little funds, I want to go, share my story from abroad, and deliver value to the world. And I have the desire to continue doing this as an essayist and writer. Eventually, I want to become someone who influences many people, especially young people, to go on their own journeys after reading my books.

Normally, it might look cleaner to prepare 'exclusive articles' that only those who supported me can read. Because it's an easy-to-understand 'return' for support.

But I have been active with the desire to have as many people as possible read what I write. The tweet that went viral the other day reached about 20 million people.

It happened to be spread by luck, but there are still many other such miraculous episodes. And various things are bound to happen in the future. If so, although I am just a small existence, even if it is difficult to change the world with writing, I might be able to create a 'trigger' that moves the world.

That is why I want to continue writing in a way that is as accessible as possible. I would be happy if those who understand that feeling would support me. I want everyone to read it, whether they supported me or not. Through my own challenge, I want to brighten Japan even a little.

What I need first is the funds to go to Australia in August and France in November. I've already booked the flights for these, so I have to go. But, being greedy, I want to do a bicycle trip in Japan from September to October. A trip where I can sweat to my heart's content, which has been a long-held wish. I'm sure it will be a project that can provide energy and excitement. So, for now, I want to raise funds for those three trips.

The first goal is 800,000 yen, which is the minimum required for the trips to Australia and France (breakdown: 300,000 yen for Australia + 500,000 yen for France).

The next goal is 1.2 million yen, which includes the 400,000 yen cost for a 30-40 day bicycle trip from September to October.

If more than that is raised, I will use it as a "travel fund" for trips from next year onwards. There are still many trips I want to take, such as a 600km walk from Osaka to Fukuoka.

I've decided on this for now, but if it doesn't raise enough, I will just do as much traveling as I can on my own dime. I am also reaching out to acquaintances living in the areas to see if I can cut costs in any way.

I will report the funds raised daily, and if there are no issues, I would like to list the names of the supporters (anonymity is also possible). Support starts from 1,000 yen per unit, with no upper limit. For those who support me, I would like to invite you if I hold any travel lectures, and I am considering various possibilities, such as sending postcards from the locations, though nothing is decided yet.

After you contact me regarding your support, I plan to inform you of the specific payment methods (bank transfer, PayPay, etc. are planned). I may prepare an input form for supporters in the future, but I am starting the recruitment from this moment. Please contact me via DM on various social media platforms or through the note's inquiry form. I will reply as soon as I am ready.

"It doesn't matter what the result is. In fact, I think it's more interesting if things go wrong. If you bet your fate like that, your life will suddenly open up. If you try to see something through, you have to throw yourself at it head-on."

Believing in the words of Taro Okamoto, I am prepared to fail. Failure is part of the game. If you are willing, please support me!