Dear Cindy-san,

Remember the morning you moved into your first studio alone? There was a hint of uncertainty in the air, but you were focusing on positivity, armed with all the skills you had gathered over the years. Aiyo, that day marked not just a change of address but the start of a new chapter in your life! Think back to the new IKEA white desk you set up by the window, where you planned your days. Life can be scary with its fast pace and unexpected turns, but you always came back to that desk, your steady spot, to sort out your thoughts and plans. It was during those quiet times, afternoon walks and COVID lockdowns, that you found clearness in the quiet. It taught you an important lesson: maintaining order in life isn't about micromanaging every detail, but rather intentionally choosing a quieter life with fewer distractions.

You made a simple routine—wake up, study, work, run, eat well, read and sleep.

Being clear and disciplined is key. You live by a routine, focus on your goals, and keep away from distractions. Having order in life doesn’t mean being too strict or controlling everything too much. True freedom doesn’t come from having no structure, but from having the right kind of structure and a right limit. By having routines and making habits on purpose, it becomes easier to make progress. It’s about making sure the important things come first and managing our time and energy well.

Now you're asking, what kind of progress are you seeking? It's the freedom to grow.

To manage life well, we need to organise our surroundings. Maybe that’s why you decided to go back to Japan and stay there alone, haha. Japan is very peaceful, especially Osaka. I really enjoy being by myself here—The Ohitorisama culture, which means enjoying your own company, is perfect for me.

You had so much stuff in Australia, and sometimes you wondered if it would matter if they were gone. It turns out, they don’t (I think so). Eventually, you had to learn the hard lesson: to let go because, at the end of the day, what you have now is what's most important.

Well, again Cindy, it's important to let go of things we don’t need—not because they don’t matter, but because we care so much about what’s truly important.

As I write this to myself, let it be a reminder that the way to feel fulfilled, both personally and professionally, is through carefully chosen, being thoughtful maa. It’s about making room for growth by understanding and applying the discipline needed to succeed.

With peaceful and chaos thoughts,

C :))

Tagged in:

Lettertomyself