Japaralia December 2025 vol. 27

English translation by Perplexity

No. 27 – 2025 Reflection

2025. What kind of year was it for all of you? For me, 2025 was the year that marked the end of one of the best chapters in my life — the time spent with my beloved dog, Honey, who had been with me for many years. It was also the year I entered the last of my forties. I’ve always had a noisy mind full of inner voices, but this year in particular, I thought deeply about many things — it was a year of realization. At the same time, those once-chaotic inner voices began offering me clearer, more straightforward answers. I started to observe events in my life from a distance, and I found myself becoming less emotional or preoccupied over things that were inevitable or beyond my control.

I learned to focus only on what’s in front of me and to bring out the best version of myself in each moment. In a sense, I’ve learned to live like a dog — to emulate their way of being. Animals, for instance, even if they lose an eye or a leg, don’t fall into despair. They adapt to the situation. Unlike humans, they don’t sulk or dwell on it; they simply face forward and live. The very intelligence and reasoning that make us human can also become shackles if not used wisely.

In a book I recently read, there was an interesting passage (translated here):“According to a study conducted in the United States, humans spend 92% of their emotional energy worrying about things that either will never happen or that they cannot change.”

I have long lived by the sayings “forewarned is forearmed” and “a stitch in time saves nine.” But when I think about it, the amount of money and mental energy I’ve wasted on unnecessary worries and over-preparedness is enormous. Preparation is important, but focusing solely on it to the point of losing sight of the present defeats the purpose. The key is to pour your energy into each day and move forward step by step — that’s what leads to a more stable future.

And about “regret”—everyone who lives sincerely will experience it. Rather than become discouraged, it’s more important to face those experiences head-on and learn how to forgive ourselves. There are many things we know we “should” do — every human knows this even without being told. As a perfectionist, I used to feel terrible about myself whenever I failed to meet my own expectations. But I’ve realized that only computers and robots can do everything perfectly. We’re human. If we can do our best and accomplish most of what we should, that’s already excellent — and we deserve to praise ourselves for it. After all, no one can go beyond their own best.

On the night before my mother’s birthday this year, she said, “Tomorrow I’ll be 73 — I hate that!” I was honestly surprised. “Well, if you were suddenly turning 80 tomorrow, I’d understand, but 72, 73, 74 — they’re not that different, right? Worrying over something you can’t change isn’t what grown-ups do!” I told her. She laughed and said, “You’re right! Teehee.” I’m not sure if she truly got it, though.

Our physical and skin health, UV protection, nutrition — there are endless things we “should” do to live well. After Honey crossed the rainbow bridge, many people gave me advice about all the things I should be doing. But that’s when I realized: I already know what I should be doing. And it’s okay if I’m not perfect all the time.

Of course, when it comes to work, I always strive for perfection. I never forget the weight of responsibility that comes with being entrusted with the faces of my valued clients — no matter how many years of experience I gain.

That said, I’m still far from perfect. Even though I’ve learned to stay calm more often, there are times when I still snap if someone crosses the line. When that happens, returning to my “Zen” state is tough. But I’ve learned the hard way that irritation usually makes things worse. Remembering that bitter lesson, I try to take a breath before responding — and sometimes that helps things recover.

So, this is my reflection on 2025. It was a year of deep thought and growth. People tend to rely too heavily on their five senses, but we shouldn’t judge based only on what we see and hear. I want to continue learning to perceive things more deeply. Rather than obsessing over what happened, I aim to enjoy the present and value the things that stay in my heart — even if they don’t take a visible form.

Skin treatment, too, isn’t just about making appearances look better; it’s about the joy and happiness that come from feeling beautiful. That emotional uplift brings positive effects not only to the skin but to many aspects of life.

I hope 2025 was a fulfilling year for all of you.Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, and I look forward to seeing you again next year.