Reflecting back on my life at a young age - growing up in a rural part of Japan as an eldest daughter while living with loved ones with mental health struggles - I can see how my journey to mental wellness has been an interesting road I’ve traveled on. Over the years I naturally adapted to a caregiver identity and was so used to focusing on the health and wellness of others around me.

Care and attention was always outward for a long time, so much so that I didn't realize until much later that I forgot to check-in with myself; I was neglectful of my own health and wellness. Frustrated and stressed out, I still believed that my self-worth was solely based on how much I could serve others regardless of what I was feeling inside.

Finally after allowing myself a safe space to explore my raw feelings and acknowledge the pressure of being a caregiver at such a young age for so long, I discovered a renewed courage to release myself from harmful old habits and outdated ways of thinking.

Yes, it was a gradual healing process - slow and steady wins the race as they say - but it did free myself from my limiting beliefs.

Now, I know my ever evolving healing journey has allowed me to fashion a unique trauma-informed lens focused on compassion and empathy toward anyone trying their best to live authentically through peace and kindness.

日本の地方で長女として育った私は、幼いころから身近な家族の心の不調と向き合いながら過ごしてきました。そんな中、自然と「ケアをする側」としての役割を担い、人の健康や幸せを優先して生きてきました。

そのため、自分自身の心や体の声に気づくことを後回しにしてしまい、知らず知らずのうちに自分のケアを忘れていたのです。

「どれだけ人の役に立てるか」が自分の価値だと信じていた私は、疲れやストレスを感じても頑張り続けました。

でも時間をかけて自分と向き合うなかで、心の奥にあった「素の自分」と静かに向き合う時間を持ったとき、初めて心の重荷を下ろせた気がしました。

少しずつ、自分の弱さを認め、古い思い込みを手放していくことで、ようやく「本当の自分」に戻ることができました。

その癒しのプロセスを通して、私は「共感」と「思いやり」を軸にしたトラウマインフォームドな視点を育みました。