The Common Thread Among Those Who Move Through Life Lightly

Hello, this is Ahiru.

Not long ago, I closed the chapter on my ten-year corporate career and stepped into a career break. With more time to myself than I’ve had in a long while, I’ve been slowly reclaiming parts of myself I had forgotten.

Recently, I took a trip back to my hometown in the Setouchi area and had the chance to reconnect with a friend from junior high school—someone I hadn’t seen in nearly a decade. That unexpected reunion not only brought a sense of nostalgia, but also helped me remember the core values and important things I had lost sight of over the years.

Today, I’d like to share a bit about that experience and what it brought to light.

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Reuniting with a Friend of 25 Years

Back then, we were inseparable, spending time together every single day.
But after graduation, as we entered adulthood, moved to different cities, and settled into different life stages, it became harder and harder to meet.
One year passed, then three, then five—until ten years had gone by in a flash.

These days, it takes a serious commitment to align time and space for a reunion like this. But finally, we made it happen.

On the way to our meeting spot, I found myself wondering:
“What are we even going to talk about?”
“How much have we changed in all these years?”

But the moment we laid eyes on each other, all those thoughts vanished.
I was instantly transported back to our school days.

Even though we’ve both surely changed in many ways, it was shocking how little the essence had changed. We slipped right back into the kind of easy, laughter-filled conversation we used to have as teens—when even a falling chopstick could send us into fits of giggles.

Life hasn’t been without its struggles for either of us. We’ve both faced hardships.
But what amazed me was how she could turn even the toughest moments into top-tier comedy material. Her vitality, her ability to light up the room, her full-hearted commitment to making others smile—it left me completely recharged.

I had only spent about an hour with her, but I walked away brimming with energy.

Meeting someone important to you—something as simple as that—reminded me of just how rare and beautiful it really is.

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People Who Wear the Air Lightly

Afterward, I found myself wandering toward my old school.
At the taxi stand nearby, I happened to encounter two older women.
At first glance, they were completely different in style. But they shared one thing in common:
They wore what they loved, exactly the way they wanted.

There was no sense of trying to fit in, no effort to conform.
They simply surrounded themselves with things they genuinely liked.

One of them casually asked to the other.
“So, how long are you planning to keep working?”

It wasn’t said in a nosy or judgmental tone at all—it felt more like,
“So, what’d you have for lunch today?”

In that moment, I realized how much pressure I had quietly placed on myself.
Am I working or not?
What kind of work do I do?
What’s my specialty, my title, my salary…?

These questions had become invisible burdens, ones I didn’t even notice I was carrying.

But none of that mattered—not to these women, and not to my old friend either.
Whether I’m working full-time, part-time, or not at all, none of it changed how they saw me.
There was no need to dress things up or put on armor.

It was just… peaceful. To be seen exactly as I am, and to do the same in return.

As we chatted, I learned that they were headed to the same school I was visiting—my old alma mater.
Of course they were. I’d sensed we were kindred spirits.

To love what you love, without evaluation.
To appreciate people just as they are.
That alone can be so incredibly refreshing.

This brief encounter reminded me of that simple truth.

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Thank you so much for reading!

If this post sparked something in you or made you pause and think, I’d love to hear from you.

Feel free to leave a like or share your thoughts in the comments — it really means a lot.

Until next time,

Ahiru