OldDogZeroTricks - The Thoughts We Rarely Admit

When Your Mission Ends: Finding Purpose After Loss (人生の目的)

Updated on January 25, 2026by OldDogZeroTricks

Watercolor of a lone ronin walking along a Japanese coastline path, carrying a simple pack and searching for a new mission.

In feudal Japan, a samurai without a master became a ronin. If you feel lost after a major life change, this ancient mindset can help you rebuild.

The Quiet Panic of Not Having Enough Money

Updated on January 20, 2026by OldDogZeroTricks

Watercolor of hands counting cash, and worrying about not having enough money, representing financial stress vs anxiety.

I have lived out of convenience stores for 20 years. I have less, but I owe nothing. This is a look at the quiet dignity of living tight, without the crushing weight of modern debt.

When Did Work Get Put on a Pedestal? (And What Happens When You Take It Down)

Updated on January 12, 2026by OldDogZeroTricks

A watercolor illustration set in a Japanese tatami room, showing an antique balance scale. A steaming coffee cup and cherry blossom branch weigh down one side, tipping the scale lower than a leather briefcase and heavy planner on the other side, symbolizing the value of rest over work obligations.

Four days off over New Year taught me something that years of working never did. Regulating your schedule might matter more to your happiness than your salary or success.

Be Kind to Others (Be Kind to Yourself)

Updated on January 10, 2026by OldDogZeroTricks

Watercolor of middle-aged British and Japanese guys making small talk by the coffee machine inside 7-Eleven.

I warned a stranger about his untied shoelaces outside a 7-Eleven today. That tiny interaction lifted my mood more than I expected on a freezing winter morning.

A Year Without Resolutions (But Not Without Direction)

Updated on January 3, 2026by OldDogZeroTricks

A watercolor painting of a snowy, winding path through a quiet forest. There are footprints leading away from the viewer, like small steps disappearing around a gentle bend.

If January 1st felt more like pressure than a fresh start, consider skipping the big goals. See why small, daily steps are enough to keep you moving forward.

Everyone Has a Niken

Updated on January 1, 2026by OldDogZeroTricks

I am weighing up a return to the UK to care for my father. But a clash over a motorcycle reminded me of the difference between going home and going backwards.

It’s Important To Get Out Of Your Own Head

Updated on December 23, 2025by OldDogZeroTricks

We spend so much time rushing that our thoughts get trapped in a loop. See why a simple change of scenery is often the only way to break the spell.

When Does Gossip Cross the Line? (And Why We Love It Anyway)

Updated on January 27, 2026by OldDogZeroTricks

Two older ladies enjoying gossip about a man walking in the high street with a woman

A student saw me walking with a female friend and called my boss to report a secret romance. Here is why innocent friendships still trigger outdated assumptions.

When Love Isn’t Enough (When You Can’t Be Everything They Need)

Updated on January 21, 2026by OldDogZeroTricks

Watercolor painting of a strong tree with green leaves, a cracked stone path leading to it, and a colorful sunset in the background.

I watched my wife leave for work in tears and wished I had the money to stop her pain. But I was just a teacher. This is what happens when love isn’t enough.