So it has been almost 3 weeks since I’ve moved back to the US.
I was in Chicago for a week to see friends, so I took the first week to settle into life here (go grocery shop, get rid of get lag, get driver’s license etc) and then in the last 2 days I have really began applying for jobs.
I’m not sure what’s in my future, but I just feel like I’ve done the right thing by returning to the US.
It’s just nice to be in a new environment, away from Tokyo. There’s just more space here, larger skies, and fresh air to breathe. It’s slower paced, and it’s definitely much less convenient than Tokyo (no trains, no convenience stores, not much going on in general where I live now. at least relative to Tokyo but it’s just not fair to compare any small city to one of the largest cities in the world) but it has its cozy charms.
I’ve spent a good amount of time in the last 2 days brushing up my LinkedIn and resume, researching job posts, talking to AI, actually applying, etc and I am more and more convinced that I could have never done this while keeping my very demanding full-time consulting job, not to mention the 13 hour time difference. Maybe some people can do it but I definitely could not have. I could not have spent weeks if not months spending hours every night applying for jobs and preparing for interviews that could occur in the wee hours of the evening Tokyo time. It was never going to happen. If anything maybe I should have left even sooner if I wanted to get working experience in the US earlier in my career.
I’m reconnecting with my old friends. Both from my hometown and college. It’s nice to catch up, or just continue to text like we did back when we saw each other all the time. My friends are all in different states so it’s also nice to feel like I have community in many corners of the US. I haven’t really reconnected with anyone who current lives where I am, but surprisingly I do not feel alone. I’m considering visiting my friends in other states while I have my flexible schedule.
Like I said, I’m not sure what is in my future. Maybe 100 rejections await, and recruitment will be difficult. Actually, it will most likely be difficult. And perhaps my spirit will not be as high. But I want to record the current excitement that I am feeling for what is next, so I can look back and remember how I feel now even when I am feeling down from the inevitable challenges that come with recruiting/figuring out next steps.
Breathe! Everything will be fine. Everything will work out in the end.
If it hasn’t worked out, it is not the end.
You always say this to your friends, and mean it. You mean it because you know how capable and strong your friends are.
I need to believe in myself the same way that I do for my friends.
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