Answered the Call. Silenced the Monster.

Life Reset Journal 

When I first moved to Japan, nothing terrified me more than phone calls. The rapid fire Japanese on the other side felt like a monster charging at me.

One time, the lash salon called. I panicked and passed the phone to my friend after saying hi. What should’ve been a quick confirmation dragged on and on to over 10 mins. He said was used to this, but I felt sorry for wasting his time.

I didn’t want to trouble anyone, yet I still memorized a line in Japanese asking them to help: “Sorry, I don’t speak Japanese. My friend will call you.” Just in case the phone rang.

Sure thing, the salon called again. I practiced the line out loud before answering. Though I stammered, I got my message across.

I hoped to handle daily calls one day, but fluency still felt far away, even with 3 classes per week.

One day, I picked up an unknown call. It was the Japanese school I’d waitlisted for, they finally had a spot. My Japanese was broken, but somehow I still managed to confirm the class date and time.

Only after I hung up I realized, I’d picked up without fear and handled the call in Japanese! If I scared, I would’ve lost the chance!

Looking back, broken lines move you forward. Language grows word by word.

Life is like a phone call — the ones you dread will still come. What matters most never waits for you to feel ready. But fears don’t bite, cos the scariest monsters only live in your mind.

Sio

Resetting life in Osaka after years in the UK, France, Spain, Canada & Argentina. Seeing people and cultures from many sides.

Follow @anotherlifeclub and restart Another Life with me.