JLP Episode 4: How I’ve been enjoying myself after Japan

If you couldn’t tell from the blog title, I just came back from a month-long vacation in Japan.

In all transparency, I almost didn’t get on my flight back home (cries in “I miss walkable cities”).

There are pros and cons to every country, and I would not say Japan is better than America from an overall view. However, there were a lot of societal aspects I loved that made the thought of coming back a bit depressing. However, I believe in having joy in all places at all times because we are called to rejoice in the Lord. With that being said, I have been finding happiness in the little things in life.

Staying Active

This has been my goal since the beginning of the year and, for the most part, I have stuck to that goal. I had to admit early on that I have never been able to do just one form of fitness. Once I got over the idea that I had to stick to one activity I started to have a lot more fun.

Rather than the traditional idea of “working out”, I like to say I enjoy being active.

The gym is nice, but it is not my favorite form of physical training. Currently, I am in love with jump roping. I have been doing tricks and dances to my various playlists. After a month of not being able to work out, I have been enjoying getting back into intentional movement.

Finding Every Opportunity to Accessorize

One thing I took back from Japan was accessorizing. I’ve always been extra but after seeing the fashion game in Harajuku, I was finally got the courage to be my “extra” self all the time.

Especially when I reminded myself: no one cares.

So, I’ve started wearing bows to the gym and adding a cute accessory to my workout fits just so I can feel a little cuter. Dressing up has always made me happy, so I don’t see why I can’t “do the most” (as my parents put it) at all times.

Getting Back in the Kitchen

One of my other goals is to start cooking more. Although I prefer baking, I am trying to eat healthier which requires me to lean into cooking my own meals. Regardless of preference, I am excited to start cooking different recipes. When I was younger, if I was bad at something it would be dropped immediately. Now that I am older, I am able to understand you only get better at what you practice (duh!).

It hasn’t been long since I’ve been back, but so far I’ve made some oatmeal raisin cookies and Japanese curry.

75 Hard Challenge

On the topic of physical health, I have decided to start the 75 hard challenge. t’s been on my bucket list for a while, but I wanted to get used to making fitness a part of my life. It made no sense to immediately jump into 2 workouts a day when I was already struggling with working out once a day. Now that I have maintained my streak throughout the year, I felt it was time to start.

Not to mention, I had been walking an average of 15,000-20,000 steps a day (our highest was 25,000) every day we were in Japan. I didn’t want to lose that conditioning, so I started as soon as I got back.

My Honey Girl

My honey baby sweetie lovie dovie cutie pie!

I missed my baby so much!

That is it. That is all

Journaling

Being forced to use public transportation gave me plenty of time to observe my surroundings more than I would on a daily basis. Normally I’m so focused on going somewhere or doing something that I don’t feel I have time to just sit with my thoughts and the world around me.

Since I wanted to save my phone battery, I started carrying around mini notebooks to journal in everywhere we went. When I tell you, it was one of the most fulfilling parts of my trip. I posted one of the journal entries here if you want an idea of some of the topics I wrote about.

I documented everything from my emotions during the trip, random observations, and (my favorite) quick sketches.

So when I came back to America, I was determined to find time to continue journaling regularly. Ever since coming back, it has been a bit of a chore, but a lot more effortless than it used to be. Not to mention, I started writing short stories for a book idea I have been playing with for a while.

If you didn’t know, I love children’s stories and old fairytale fables, so I tend to write my own for personal therapy. However, I have recently been stuck on one storyline and most of my recent short stories have been revolving around that main plot.

Who knows if it will go anywhere as writing is fun for me and I don’t know if the pressure of publication would allow me to still enjoy what I do.

Blogging

Lastly, I could never forget my favorite hobby and main joy: this blog! Ever since implementing these new passions into my life, my desire to blog has multiplied. Even though I blogged at certain points in my trip, I felt like I was able to take a break that I didn’t know I needed.

Through spending time with myself, and reading other blogs, I was able to re-evaluate what I want for The Road Writer. After taking a breather, I have been excited to open my laptop again.

Overtime, I think I felt pressure to make my blog fit certain standards that made blogging less fun. I want to write to encourage, to share my observations of life, and to simply have fun. Blogging isn’t a cash grab for me nor is it a pathway to influencing.

Rather, this is a personal joy of mine that I allow to reside somewhere amidst this wide web. I am so grateful for everyone who has stuck with this blog from the beginning. Equally, I am thankful for everyone who has joined me during the last year, and a half. I hope you have been enjoying yourselves and I pray that you stay for the ride.

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Comment below if you enjoyed the article and/or want to speak with our Road Writer community. Every comment is appreciated, and I am so grateful for your engagement on this little corner of the internet.