As the title reads, I (27F, Tokyo resident) am feeling really lost and at a crossroads in my life right now and have been feeling this way for about 1 year, but it’s recently gotten to the point where I’ve lost all passion and can cry at the drop of a hat when thinking about myself and my future…
I used to be excited, passionate and proactive about life, but I feel none of these things now.
I came to Japan for school almost 7 years ago and have enjoyed my time here overall, besides periodical bouts of loneliness and questions of belonging and life direction (things I’m sure a lot of us have faced at some point here).
Right now:
1. I’m stuck in a dead-end job that pays very little (3 million yen a year before tax) at a small Tokyo-based publishing company in a pretty dysfunctional office.
2. I don’t have many friends here anymore, or hobbies outside of learning Japanese (preparing for N2 this coming July), watching movies, etc. but I don’t enjoy these things anymore, and I’m really hard on myself for not noticeably improving with Japanese (I’m a perfectionist to my own detriment)
3. Every week feels the same, and I feel like I’m drifting through life and not actually actually living. I clock in early and leave the office when it’s dark outside already.
4. I want a change in direction and career, but I feel it’s a lot harder here than in my home country, where changing industries, taking a career break, etc. has a lot more flexibility and options.
5. I crave more freedom in my life, and hate being chained to a desk/commuting most of each week.
6. I’m a passionate person by nature, and want to be a part of something I’m proud of. I want to help others, make a difference, learn and grow in a healthy work environment, but have not yet found the place to exercise these things in Japan.
I want to ask my fellow Japan residents:
What do you do as a career, and are you fulfilled? Does anyone have any career advice for someone still finding their way and what they are actually suited to?
I’m so lost, I’m scared to think of what this feeling I’ve had will lead to in the long-term for me and my life.
A sincere thank you in advance to everyone who takes the time to read & reply to this ♥️
by Brookelmao