12/07/2018 When You Feel Stuck

I had a really meaningful chat with my sister over lunch. We shared some struggles and worries just like everyone has and it made me realize the importance of vulnerability. 

I used to strongly feel the social pressure when I had spend most of my life living in Japan. I felt I have to follow a safe path that socially accepted. I thought we were taught without being told to think we will be happy IF we first graduated from university and work for a few years in a company, then get married and buy a house then have a kid so on so forth. I felt really stuck and anxious because I felt this did sound something wrong to me. I also didn't have anyone who seemed to be very happy with their life following the ideal path.

When I moved to Europe and had a chance to work in Google Dublin, I leant so much from people in the company. It was quite eye opening and I was very very inspired. I found out that the things I thought it was normal were not necessary true. There are people who have other exiting projects outside work and making their true passion (Ikigai) come true. They are people raising kids with a partner without getting married. They are people who get a wonderful work without having Bachelor's degrees. There are people who left the company to live their life fully and discover true happiness without having any specific plans ahead. 

This experience helped me understand that there are other options that will fit my values. I was not happy in back Japan in my early 20s because I thought the options I thought I had were all not for me and I didn't see any other possible options. 

We all make choices from the limited options we have at the moment. Sometimes it is really important to widen your perspective so that we make more wise and good choices. We really don't need to follow the stereo typical path as there are more options that you haven't discovered yet. 

Thank you for spending your time to read this.