It took me too long to realize that Japan is easier to live in once you accept things for what they are. As a westerner it’s way to resist the Japanese way of doing things by calling them stupid for example. But, once you accept the way things are and just don’t give it any thought (like a robot), it’s much easier to exist here.
Discussion
What would be an example of this?
Ceremonies for example. Sometimes you wonder why they exist in the first place and why you’d pay the Buddhist monk a bunch of money for something that doesn’t touch your belief system… but if you quiet your inner westerner and just go with the flow, it’s less stressful.
Migrating, anywhere, is hard. It fucks with your ego to a really deep point.
When you adapt, you feel better, but there is something missing at times… missing memories.
You caught my attention with that "like a robot" phrase.
🤔
Is that how you feel about Japanese culture or way of life?
🤔
It’s how I feel about things I don’t like 😆
But, as I’ve stated, easier to go with the flow
I like this quote I came across, which feels related.
"Tradition is a set of solutions for which we have forgotten the problem"