Umi, this playbook feels like something I had been unwittingly waiting for. Of course you would alchemize your Tokyo experience into reflections that feel both precious and deeply familiar. Among all the creators I’ve followed over the years, yours has been the one I’ve kept up with most eagerly, sometimes to the point where I wondered if an unhealthy parasocial bond was forming. It’s so easy for “influencers” to become screens for projection, but I’ve learned that the closeness I feel toward you comes from your willingness, openness, and rare ability to give voice to some of the most fragile yet universal emotions. Feelings for which words don’t always surface - feelings that often defy articulation altogether.
This piece felt especially close because my time living in Tokyo was also an era of immense growth and transformation. The clarifying loneliness, the quiet consideration woven into everyday life, the way ego gently dissolves, the city’s charming veneer and relentless chase for perfection, the gradual and tender process of coming home to yourself - it all resonates so deeply. Tokyo gave me permission to be enthralled by the beauty of a single moment, and the freedom to become someone entirely new simply because I was reminded that I get to choose who I am and who I want to be.
Thank you so much for helping me revisit that journey - one I am also forever grateful for. Tokyo will always be there, and next time, it will witness just how much you’ve grown yet again. When I was nomadic, I carried a quote close to heart: "Wherever you go, there you are." So wherever your path takes you next, I hope you continue to meet yourself with curiosity, delight, enthusiasm, silliness, humility, and love.
Beauty in this writing. You pull on strings of nostalgia for a similar time in my past. Moving to the other side of the world, being outside the circle, the staggered time zones, the blurring of seasons and the equatorial. It brought a smile to read this and see someone pass through it with a self awareness and humility I lacked back then. Grace against the challenge. Learning such personal lessons and growing an appreciation for a different space and people, it’s so very valuable. Congratulations on another chapter.
I love your writing, I actually found you on X . Took up writing cause of you, hope to see more!
Umi, this playbook feels like something I had been unwittingly waiting for. Of course you would alchemize your Tokyo experience into reflections that feel both precious and deeply familiar. Among all the creators I’ve followed over the years, yours has been the one I’ve kept up with most eagerly, sometimes to the point where I wondered if an unhealthy parasocial bond was forming. It’s so easy for “influencers” to become screens for projection, but I’ve learned that the closeness I feel toward you comes from your willingness, openness, and rare ability to give voice to some of the most fragile yet universal emotions. Feelings for which words don’t always surface - feelings that often defy articulation altogether.
This piece felt especially close because my time living in Tokyo was also an era of immense growth and transformation. The clarifying loneliness, the quiet consideration woven into everyday life, the way ego gently dissolves, the city’s charming veneer and relentless chase for perfection, the gradual and tender process of coming home to yourself - it all resonates so deeply. Tokyo gave me permission to be enthralled by the beauty of a single moment, and the freedom to become someone entirely new simply because I was reminded that I get to choose who I am and who I want to be.
Thank you so much for helping me revisit that journey - one I am also forever grateful for. Tokyo will always be there, and next time, it will witness just how much you’ve grown yet again. When I was nomadic, I carried a quote close to heart: "Wherever you go, there you are." So wherever your path takes you next, I hope you continue to meet yourself with curiosity, delight, enthusiasm, silliness, humility, and love.
Beauty in this writing. You pull on strings of nostalgia for a similar time in my past. Moving to the other side of the world, being outside the circle, the staggered time zones, the blurring of seasons and the equatorial. It brought a smile to read this and see someone pass through it with a self awareness and humility I lacked back then. Grace against the challenge. Learning such personal lessons and growing an appreciation for a different space and people, it’s so very valuable. Congratulations on another chapter.
Riveting ,inspirational, eye opening
Beautiful, raw and thoughtful post. I related to the experience even though I’ve never been to Tokyo