こんにちは (Kon'nichiwa), 你好 (Nǐ hǎo), สวัสดี (S̄wạs̄dī) everyone.
I know its been sometime since I have updated or posted a story. Life has taken a few turns that have impacted my writing inspiration this past year.
A little background so you understand. I moved to Japan to work as an English teacher. I have been here a year. It's been my dream to live and work in another country and last year I was finally able to do it.
However, I didn't know or understand how difficult it would be for me. Life as a foreigner isn't easy here but its better than other places. The parts I have struggled with is the isolation from my family, from my friends and the work life culture here. Its so different from what I knew in the UK.
I've struggled with the usual issues anyone living alone for the first time does. As such my stories have taken a huge hit. I faced a bout of depression where I couldn't focus on stories or even my favourite or new shows. I just wanted to curl away in the dark. (sounds dramatic I know).
I tried writing, tried to even edit my friends stories for him but nothing helped. So I decided instead of forcing it I would step back from writing until I could be in the right mind. I think the job I choose here wasn't the right one.
I have been here a year now! I decided I needed to change some things so that I could be happier. My contract was ending but I wanted to stay in Japan to experience more than I could this past year. So I changed jobs, hopefully this next job is exactly what I need. I think it will be.
Finding apartments that are affordable and that are available for foreigners isn't easy. Everything has been up in the air. Though recently everything came together, the better life I hope for is within reach.
Today I was able to finish writing the next What If for this thread. Hopefully its ok, half of it was written when I was trying to push through the fog and the rest was written today!
I thank you all for your continued support and understanding.