Hey there, it’s Demi.
Lately, I’ve been diving into various activities like starting a dance school, launching my own shop, and even kicking off a blog. You might wonder, “Isn’t this all happening out of the blue?” So, I wanted to share why I’ve jumped into all these endeavors right now.
Why am I suddenly into all these things?
Simply put, because it’s fun!!!
Table of Contents
The thrill of starting from scratch
Back in my corporate days, I got a lot of satisfaction from creating things from the ground up—whether it was organizing recitals, designing pamphlets, or choreographing cheer routines. Personally, I’ve also taken solo trips to Alaska without relying on agents.
Even after leaving my corporate job, I’ve been designing merchandise, handling orders, and selling them at events. I’ve even ventured into writing lyrics, composing songs, and performing live in Kawasaki for a crowd of 200 people. (Thanks a ton to everyone who bought my CD. 😭)
Through all these experiences, I’ve discovered how exhilarating it is to create something myself. It’s like moving from following the path set by parents and teachers to picking materials on an empty lot, assembling them step by step, and then putting them out there in the world. The whole process gets me really pumped!
Another huge inspiration in my life is Reiko McNish Sato.
Ms. Reiko McNish Sato
Subscribers: 207,000
Watching Reiko McNish Sato’s YouTube channel always leaves me thinking, “I want to live a lifestyle like hers.”
Her rebellious spirit, unwavering conviction, and ability to follow through with her ideas are incredibly inspiring to me.
She never looks back, always focused forward with those eyes. So cool! (Yeah, that’s the real deal, haha.)
Anyway, she’s had a profound impact on me, motivating me to step into entrepreneurship.
In one of her recent videos, her husband said something that really struck a chord with me:
“When I evaluate business opportunities, I focus on three things:
- Who I’m collaborating with (whether it’s fulfilling, motivating, and if it’s a relationship where we can respect each other and grow together)
- How much potential there is for growth
- How much impact it can have on the world and society.”
I truly believe these are the core principles not just in business but in life.
But sometimes, I feel a bit worn out by all this passionate philosophy, so I’m taking life at my own pace for now.
“Heartbreak” and “Encounter”
In my twenties, two events dramatically shifted my perspective: heartbreak and a significant encounter.
Thanks to my parents’ upbringing, I was always taught never to give up—quite stubbornly, actually (haha).
At 22, experiencing heartbreak shattered everything I believed in and had built up until then. The norms that had become second nature to me all fell apart. It made me realize, “Oh, everything can collapse.” Being rejected by someone I loved felt like the strongest pillar inside me had crumbled in an instant. So honestly, I don’t think sheer stubbornness can solve everything.
But I don’t blame him or my parents for this realization. It made me realize that I had become overly dependent on others, and I had to seriously consider becoming independent in every aspect of life—mentally, financially, as a woman, and as an adult. This mindset sometimes clashed with societal norms. (I was pretty clear that I didn’t rely on anyone else, haha.) But gradually, meeting my current partner from Taiwan softened those rough edges.
How meeting him changed me
It all began when I made a big mistake at work, and he supported me unconditionally.
He sensed my remorse without a word, gave me a silent hug, and genuinely cared about me. I learned what true empathy and love are.
Those rough edges of mine softened and became refined. I’ve always been someone who dwells on my failures since childhood.
But this time, I didn’t blame myself at all. Instead, he supported me wholeheartedly. It was the first time I had seen someone like that.
He lives so gracefully, with only what truly matters to him. He doesn’t have many friends, just one he meets once a year. In return, he dedicates himself fully to protecting what’s important to him.
That’s why my perspective on life changed drastically.
Before, after being rejected by someone I liked, I lived like a wild boar, shouting, “I’m fine alone!” But now, my values have shifted to protecting what’s important and loving genuinely from the bottom of my heart.
Around age 25, my perspective changed significantly. I still want to travel abroad, but now my goal is not just to be free but to be independent. Ultimately, I want the important people in my life to be free.
I started pursuing activities like business, language learning, and dance with the intention of showing love and support to others in that way. I know I still have a long way to go, and I haven’t made even a fraction of the societal impact that Reiko McNish Sato’s husband talks about. But when I see people happier than I expected, it brings me such joy, like a “Yes!” moment from the bottom of my heart.
I’ve come to want to deliver my utmost effort, presence, and energy to those around me. That’s been a big change in me between the ages of 25 and 30.
Right now, I find business challenging, but it’s incredibly fulfilling. I’m excited and enjoy making my own decisions and expressing myself. That’s where my motivation lies.
I continue with dance and language learning because they offer ways to liberate people, providing new perspectives. I sometimes think, “Don’t Japanese people have to work hard just to live?” If I say, “I didn’t finish the paperwork, so please wait a bit longer,” I might get called out with, “Don’t make excuses; everyone else is doing the same job.” If I complain about something tedious, I might get scolded. I’ve even been yelled at just for drinking water during homeroom.
It’s a country where if you don’t conform, you can’t live peacefully, so the habit of pushing yourself beyond your limits is ingrained, and I think more people end up suffering because of it.
That’s why I feel like I need to ease my mind a bit through travel or changing my environment before I break down myself.
Travel was revolutionary for me back in elementary school. I realized how crucial language learning was and grew to love foreign countries so much that they started to feel like home.
So when I feel stuck or overwhelmed, stepping outside, doing something different from my usual routine, and looking at things from a different perspective can help me discover new possibilities.
Dance is like that too. By immersing myself deeply in something not part of my usual life—like “music” and “dancing”—I can gain new perspectives and refresh my mind.
I think these are indispensable resources in life.
On another note, I struggle with producing measurable results, so I rely on Jen, my partner, who excels in achieving outcomes. He calmly helps me organize and focus on what’s essential, even though he can’t help chuckling at my unconventional approach. So, I continue to rely on his support while pushing forward.
Well then, see you later!
