It’s hard to think of a title for this one. Why does “7 Years in Tibet” sound more dramatic? HAHA
“Where we are situated matters.” Environment shapes our characters. Place a plant in a test tube and don’t clean it, it’s going to die in no time. Place a plant in a clean test tube, it thrives.
Japan is not perfect but it had become my playground and my personal battleground in my late 20s going to my 40s…
Here are the take-aways:
1. Skincare
Mastering a skincare routine is more powerful than fancy facial treatments.
I am not saying don’t go to these facial salons. What I’m saying is, without having any established skincare routine, anything else is just moonshine. It is only in Japan that I learned what type of facial wash and/or moisturizers I should be using.
Here, I realized that skincare is NOT really about which good brands to use. And absolutely NOT about the celebrity modeling a certain beauty product. It is about knowing your skin type and asking for expert advice on which skincare products are compatible with your skin type. And then establishing a routine from there.
2. Dental care
Here, I discovered for the first time that there must be an order in brushing our teeth. You start with the inner surface, and then the mid surface, and the outer surface. Also, owning a toothbrush that has just the right size. That which touches only the tooth so there’s no more hurting your gums while brushing is paramount.
3. Eyebrows
Kilay is life.
We all went crazy about following eyebrow trends. Plucking the eyebrows and then drawing them back on. HAHAHA! I am not saying I did not try that stupid thing. But at this stage in my life, I know better. I just need to let the brow grow. It knows exactly how to protect my eyes from that sweat trickling from my forehead.
4. Dating
Dating starts from dating yourself.
I wrestled with this one. I took personality tests, rehearsed how to communicate with men, did a lot of introspection and then I let go. It is only by letting go that I met my husband.
5. Money
I observed how I spend money back in 2018. The realization was.. I overspend on leisure, entertainment, vanity. After gathering the data, I stripped the demons away— slowly… I am not saying I have lots of money now. But I can definitely say that I am no longer a “slave” of the demons.
6. On Friendship
To be a good friend is to speak the other person’s language…
English may have won as the universal language but what wins the heart is racking your own brain in order to speak your friend’s language. We don’t need to choose between Swahili, Nihongo or Tagalog. There has to be a way to speak them all.
7. Design and measurement
What amazes me about Japan is that they have measuring tools for simple tasks like placing chairs at a gymnasium in preparation for graduation day. Other countries may simply line them up like it’s no big deal but NOT in Japan. Every person’s leg space is carefully considered.
Kids are oriented very early here of the importance of design and measurement. I am always fascinated to watch Pythagora Switch (ピタゴラスイッチ)on NHK for children and other nerdy stuff on Japanese TV. Back in my home country, they glorify comedians who act like they don’t have brains (like that of Philomena Cunk). People may not notice they’ve been spending much of their time listening to these celebrities. And look at the result! Leg spaces, street crossings, design of footbridges, urban planning in developing nations have become a waste of federal money. Meanwhile, Japan is too busy designing a better world for themselves.
8. The elephant in the room
Let’s say we have an incredibly huge problem that needs to be solved. The Japanese take action in no time! The huge problem gets segmented. The elephant is cut into chunks as a way to tackle the issue at hand.
I remember my dentist, she would clean my teeth this way:
Week 1- upper right part
Week 2- upper left part
Week 3- lower mid part
This is done so that each part gets all squeaky clean before moving to the next problem.
9. Service industry
Japan doesn’t have a tipping system like in other countries. I’ve had an experience working in a Spanish restaurant before and met people who have zero respect.
In Japanese elementary schools, students tidy up after having lunch. I learned more intensely how kindness should be observed at all times, especially to the people in service industries. Simply return your tray of dirty dishes to the counter after dining. I do this every time (even at times that I don’t have to).
10. Chasing, forcing, red flags
Education should be presented as a gift. Anything forced is simply counterproductive.
11. The high fiber diet
To be surrounded by the Japanese who love their vegetables…
Sharing meals with them changed my eating life…
Now, I am aware that to eat at least 30 kinds of plants every week is what can truly keep the doctors away.
To not count the calories but to count the blessings which are whole, fiber-rich food(s)…
To realize that eating is not fashion (like the food trends we often see on Instagram). Often, we should learn from birds foraging nuts, seeds and berries in a wild forest in order to survive.
12. Tea drinking
Japan has tea ceremonies because in my own understanding they would like to romanticize a very boring thing called tea drinking. I understand it now that it also keeps the doctors away. I recently made it my daily source of hydration… Collect those fancy tea cups if you will. Drink your tea. It didn’t hurt anyone. Alcohol did that countless of times.
13. View of the garden
It cured cancer patients and calmed people who had a nervous/mental breakdown…
What more convincing do we need just so we’d grab that potted plant and place it by the window that catches very good sunlight?
14. Before going to bed
-37 degrees C warm bath
-dark and cool (23 degrees) bedroom
-fresh pillowcase, bedding
-a cute pair of pajamas
-lavender oil
-lullaby
15. Nailcare
I learned that I can do this by myself. I used to spend money on nailcare. Doing it by myself is not only economic but also hygienic. Also, no more painting the nails. It has toxic fumes that can cause cancer.
16. Mental health
… is something everyone should tackle. The high suicide rate in this country is bothersome, and it can happen to anyone… Really.
I have learned to suffer (and still am) with the Japanese. And it is hard. And it is not for everyone…
17. Rules must be protected
Ru-ru wo mamorimasu! That’s how Japan would say it.
There is no absolute freedom. We all need rules. Rules provide structure. Rules establish boundaries. My spot! Your spot! Let’s all live in peace.
18. On cleanliness
In a typical Japanese classroom, the kids understand so well that they need to get rid of things they don’t need for each class. They must focus one subject at a time.
Cleaning, as if it were a subject, gets done in 15-20 minutes every single day. There is no slavery. The school administrators clean their own sh**.
19. Safety net
Pandemic. You suddenly lost your job. The social security department got your back.
20. Why we are here
We all need to be saved.
Asian Santa
August 16, 2025
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