Something I’ve Been Noticing About Being Busy
I got back from my morning 7-Eleven walk and caught myself already calculating how much ‘productive’ time I had left. When did we all start treating rest like something to feel guilty about?
After 20 Years in Japan, My Japanese Is Still Pretty Basic (And That’s Complicated)
567 consecutive days of Duolingo. Twenty years in Japan. And my Japanese is still embarrassingly basic. Not because I’m lazy—it’s more complicated than that. Here’s the honest accounting.
Redefining Success: Beyond the Paycheck
I’m 56, living paycheck to paycheck, and sometimes I feel like a fake talking to salespeople in computer stores. This is my honest look at success when you haven’t “made it” financially.
The Power of Small Wins: Celebrating Life’s Quiet Triumphs
A student’s handshake after sharing his grief. A 562-day Duolingo streak. A teammate rescued in a game. Small wins aren’t settling for less—they’re evidence we’re still fully in the game of life.
The Unexpected Gifts of Growing Older: Finding Joy, Freedom & Wisdom
No one wakes up thrilled to spot new gray hair, but here’s the deal: aging’s got some great parts. In my late 50s, I’m discovering freedoms my younger self never imagined—like not caring what others think while still feeling young inside. What unexpected gifts has aging brought you?
Apex Legends at This Age
Gaming at 56? Apex Legends has become a counterbalance after days of farming and teaching. The game helps me rest physically even if my mind stays wired. My senses aren’t what they were, but my name warns teammates what to expect. How do you decompress?
How Do You Balance Your Time When One Thing Won’t Let Go?
When one thing demands your attention even when you should focus elsewhere. Between what pays the bills and what feeds your soul—how do you manage the pull toward what won’t let go?
How Do You Know You Are Mentally Healthy?
After my wife of twenty years left for America, I found myself grabbing the wrong jeans from my closet—a simple error that made me question everything. When external stability masks internal turbulence, how do you recognize mental health? What anchors you these days?
Lost in a Care Home – Dementia
The last clear sign: my mum was feeding the dog from the dinner table—something she’d never done. Now, she sits silently in a care home, clutching a toy. How do we navigate the slow, painful goodbye when dementia turns a loved one into a stranger?
Never Too Old for a Good Tune
Ever catch yourself being grateful for music? I’ve been diving back into my collection lately—thankful for how it flips a switch when life gets overwhelming or thoughts spiral. What’s your go-to music genre when nothing else seems to do it?