Member-only story
What I’ll Miss Most From Two and a Half Years Living In Japan
Reflecting on the most beautiful chapter of my life
It’s my last day living in Japan before moving back home to Los Angeles. It hurts to say goodbye to a season that I’ve loved so much, two and a half years living in Japan. What can I say? It’s been the time of my life.
Everything is packed up. My apartment’s empty. I’m ready. But I was tearing up today, last night, yesterday. It’s hard to believe that this chapter is ending.
But that’s life — saying goodbye to what’s familiar to make space for what’s to come. I feel the winds of change blowing; the tides shifting.
We move forward. But damn, it’s bittersweet.
I’ve changed in this country. I’ve grown. I’ve pursued things that fill me up and light my soul on fire, finding so much magic in everyday life.
Times have been so good. It makes sense that it hurts.
A week ago for my last weekend here, I met Pat and Joe in the city of Nagoya for one final belter.
These British blokes are my two best friends from Japan; we all arrived at the tail-end of Covid-19 to teach English for the same company and experienced something truly extraordinary together — Japan still closed to tourists, but…