March and April heralds in a time of renewal and change in Japan with March being the end of the school and fiscal year, and April being the start of the new school and fiscal year. The fact that it coincides with the arrival of spring should come as of no surprise since spring represents renewal and new life in many cultures and religions around the world.  

For people in Japan, this period of change is often referred to as shinseikatsu, which roughly translates to “new life activity” in English. During these months, people begin new jobs, move to new homes, cities, and prefectures, transfer to new schools, and start university.  

It can be scary and overwhelming, these changes, but they are an inevitable and arguably necessary part of life. Change, if embraced, can help people gain new perspectives, push you out of your comfort zone, and provide you with new opportunities and adventures.  

To help you navigate and weather such changes during shinseikatsu, this article will highlight and explore 5 worries people commonly experience during this time and how best to tackle them with minimum worry and stress. Also, if you are looking for a new place to stay, consider Village House, a real estate organization with over 1,000 properties across Japan’s 47 prefectures.  

1. Difficulties Waking in the Morning 

Especially for young people who live alone for the first time, not being able to wake up in the morning is a common worry. Establishing a morning routine that works for you and that you can stick to can help you get a smooth start to your mornings! 

Numerous studies have pointed out that humans thrive off routines as it: 

One such routine that people often fret over and fail to put optimum effort into is their morning routine. It probably comes as of no surprise that many people sacrifice a morning routine in favor of a few more minutes of sleep but while that sounds tempting, a rushed and hectic morning can really put a damper on your day.  

To avoid this, studies suggest giving yourself between 90 minutes to 2 hours in the morning before heading off to work or starting work (if you work from home). This allotted time allows you the luxury of: 

• Properly waking up at your own natural pace 
• To shower or freshen up for the day 
• To get in a workout or some light stretches 
• To prepare and eat a good breakfast that will sustain you until lunch 
• To pack a lunch for work or school 
• To have some “me-time” before facing the day 

You can also maximize what time you have in the morning by doing some preparations the night before, such as: 

• Packing your bag for work or school 
• Picking out your outfit to wear the next day 
• Prepare ingredients for breakfast and/or lunch 

If you’re not a morning person, you can “train” yourself to wake up at a certain time by slowly waking up an hour early up to a week before you start school or work. The key here is consistency and setting an alarm always helps. Try to avoid hitting the snooze button as this can disrupt your sleep cycle.  

2. Challenges at Your New Work 

Another common worry people face during shinseikatsu is that dreaded first day of work, which can often be anxiety inducing due to the following factors: 

First impressions are also very important, especially in Japanese culture and this pressure to be the best employee can also be nerve-wracking. To minimize stress, worry, and anxiety during your first day at work, consider: 

• Planning out your commute by memorizing what train lines or bus(es) you need to take. If possible, do a test run before your first day to check how long the commute is. This will give you an idea of when to wake up in the morning.  
• Planning your outfit according to your company’s dress code (if they have one). This will help with making a good first impression. 
• Being punctual. There is a saying, “early is on time; on time is late”. 
• Be authentic and friendly but don’t be a people pleaser and give people the impression that you’re a pushover.  
• Prepare a short introduction about yourself. 
• Ask questions, especially on your first day. This demonstrates a willingness to learn and shows that you have been actively listening to what is being said and taught. 
• Be observant – you can learn a lot by watching your colleagues work. 
• Accept lunch invitations or drinks after work as this helps you network and build connections with your colleagues and any clients you may have. 

3. Overwhelming Household Chores 

Household chores – a necessary evil and a fact of adult life. Nobody likes them but they must be done and depending on whether you live alone, with a partner, or with a family, you’ll need to set time aside to complete these chores.  

One of the best, most effective and efficient ways to tackle household chores is to set aside a “Chores Day” (for many people, this will be on a weekend). On this day, you can clean the house, take out the trash (though in Japan, you may have to schedule you Chores Day around your neighborhood’s trash days) and run errands such as going grocery shopping. 

For those working from home, there is some flexibility when it comes to doing chores as certain tasks can be incorporated into your daily schedule. For example, a grocery run can be done during your lunch break, or if you need a break from being sedentary, you can wipe down the kitchen counters, vacuum a room or two, or even do a load of laundry.  

For those living with housemates, a partner, or with family, sitting down and having a discussion about dividing up chores is a good way to go about getting them done in a way that is not only fair but plays to people’s preferences and strengths.  

4. Money Management 

Young adults living on their own for the first time and those who have embarked on their very first full-time, “adult” job may be tempted to splurge but considering the current state of the economy and how it’s still recovering from the pandemic, managing your finances is something that should be taken seriously.  

The delegation of your finances is highly dependent on your personal lifestyle and what you’re willing to sacrifice and compromise on, but there is a general guideline of 50/30/20 aka. 50% of income goes to rent, bills, food, and transportation; 30% on wants, entertainment, and luxuries, and 20% to savings. Of course, this is a strict generalization, and the amount can be more or less depending on each individual.  

That being said, it’s good to plan a budget for things such as groceries, transportation, and food. If your bank has such a feature, create a separate “space” where you can deposit money specifically to pay your utilities and bills; and set up direct debit billing so that these utilities and bills are automatically paid each month. 

Lastly, it’s important to try to save a portion of your income each month for rainy days and emergencies. Another “space” in your bank account can be created for this purpose, separate from your main account. 

5. Feeling Lonely 

Humans are, by nature, social creatures, and it’s not uncommon for people to feel lonely and isolated when they embark on a new chapter of their lives, leaving behind family and friends. Some handle it better than others but some common ways to combat the feelings of loneliness include: 

• Making friends at work by accepting or extending lunch invitations, after work drinks 
• Making an effort to keep in touch with family and friends especially if you’ve move away from them 
• Joining a gym or activities club to meet and mingle with people 
• Get to know your neighbors 
• Volunteer at a local charity 

Related articles:

• Living Alone for the First Time? Checklist of All the Things You Need
• Starting Fresh: All the Necessities You Need for Your New Home
• Living Alone as a College Student – The Most Common Problems and How to Deal with Them
• Home and Apartment Renovation in Japan
• How Can Women Living Alone Stay Safe? Introducing Tips for Choosing a Property and Security Measures!

CheR

Freelance writer with over 2 years of experience writing for the Village House Blog, ESL teacher, and digital nomad who has lived in countries including The Czech Republic, The UK, The U.A.E., Japan, and most recently, Georgia. Is constantly on the hunt for the best, most optimal apartment for remote work when not enjoying going to film festivals, concerts, and the theater.