Restless 16 - Still searching & (cough cough) Twitter
Jizo statues at the summit of Mt. Hououzan in the Southern Alps.
Hello,
In the last newsletter I wrote:
It feels like I'm treading water between worlds at the moment trying to find my feet. Is this normal when heading towards the tail end of your fourth decade? I need something new, a new approach (to life?), something with substance. Life is ticking along smoothly (my father's health aside) and I am, of course, grateful for that but after finishing The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter I can feel a deep sense of anxiety within that's gradually nudging me away from daily comforts. It's not a midlife crisis (is it?), it's more an overwhelming sense of missing out on something before it's too late. I just can't put my finger on what that something is.
Well, I’m still searching.
Here’s what I know works for me as of today:
Exercise.
Being outdoors.
Creating things (no matter how trivial - like this newsletter, my website, or a personal journal).
Reading.
Of course it’s absolutely possible to combine all of those into one and be happy. You just need to set a goal or decide on a project. That’s what I did when I walked the Kiso-ji/Nakasendo from Shiojiri to Nakatsugawa and now that the temperature has dropped to manageable levels I think it’s time to restart that project* and as mentioned at the start of the year, I want to take my daughter along on a couple of the walks. I think she’ll help open new doors and force me to slow down. I'm repeating myself though as I say this in almost all of my newsletters.
Also: after a decade-long abstinence I rejoined Twitter on a whim. But I've made a few rules:
No politics.
Generally no commenting on posts.
Occasional likes are fine.
Mute the word gaijin. Especially accounts that have it in their username.
Hide all recommendations (if possible).
Following brands, people, and websites you trust and want to support is fine.
Automate it and link to my website whenever possible.
If there is any hint of jealously on my part either react to that feeling in a positive way or mute/unfollow the account.
Don’t be afraid to nuke the whole thing again if needed.
So, if you want to follow me then you can here at @SeanBreslinJP
Thanks for reading.
Sean.
Recent Posts:
Hiking: Mt. Hououzan – SeanBreslin.jp
How do you explain to someone that hasn’t hiked much in Japan than despite hiking to over 2700m, despite walking (which felt more like climbing – actual climbing – almost vertical…
Festival: Gujo Matsuri – SeanBreslin.jp
The big brother/sister to the Shirotori Festival is the Gujo Hachiman festival just a few kilometres south in central Gifu.
Back Under the Aussie Sky – SeanBreslin.jp
“I presume the flight isn’t full?” I asked as we checked in to our flight back to Narita. Covid was spreading and the world was panicking. A brief grin followed by a chuckle, and then that most Aus…
Hiking: The Other Eboshidake in the Clouds – SeanBreslin.jp
Eboshidake in the Minami Alps behind the clouds. This was the third time in succession that this hike hasn’t gone to plan. See here and here. The Minami Alps usually offer spectacular views of Mt. …
Hiking: Eboshidake and Nenjodake – SeanBreslin.jp
Two litres of water wasn’t enough. Foolishly I left one litre back in the car for when we returned but should have taken it with me. There was a freshwater spring on the trail where I planned to to…
Festival: Shirotori – SeanBreslin.jp
The Shirotori Obon Dance was held every summer for over 400 years in central Gifu until the pandemic changed everything.
Books Read (can also be viewed here).
The Ten Foot Square Hut and Tales of the Heike – A.L Sadler
Night Boat to Tangier – Kevin Barry
The Playground of the Far East – Walter Westin (reread)
Down Under – Bill Bryson
Heaven – Mieko Kawakami
People From My Neighborhood- Hiromi Kawakami
Meditations – Marcus Aurelius
The Secret World of Weather – Tristan Gooley
*Inspired by Craig Mod or course.