I slept — really slept — this week. Not because the cold weather kept me tucked under blankets. Some days, it even hinted at the warmth of spring just around the corner. And it wasn’t the usual premenstrual fatigue either. No, I slept because I was sick. My body felt hollow, stripped to its core, with my sense of smell and taste completely gone. That’s when I knew: it was probably Covid doing its worst.

Today, after spending the first half of the day in bed, I forced myself out to kickbox and go for my usual run. I’m glad I did — the fresh air helped, even if each cough still rattles my chest every few minutes.

This is how a physically demanding week unfolded for me.

1. What I read.

I started reading a book that I borrowed from my mom last week, titled 「なぜ人に会うのはつらいのか」 (Why Is It So Difficult to Meet People?) by Sato Yu, a former senior analyst at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Saito Tamaki, a psychiatrist. My mother had left some sticky notes in the book, marking important points as she read, and I’ve noticed that some of her notes overlap with mine. As I read, I find myself imagining what she must have been thinking when she read this book.

The quote that stuck with me:

「日本は全体として『絆社会』で、同時に『自助社会』ですから。絆はいいけれど、それがお互いを縛り合い、ある意味監視し合う装置になっていると、逆にSOSは出しにくくなってしまいます。」
“Japan is a society built on ‘bonds’ and, at the same time, a ‘self-help’ society. While bonds are important, they can also become a mechanism that binds and, in a sense, monitors one another, which makes it harder to call for help when needed.”

2. Who I saw.

I’ve probably seen this guy more times than I realize, but it’s only recently that I’ve started to notice him as more than just the barista who makes my coffee at the shop where I spend my mornings before heading to the office. Lately, it’s become a routine for me to spend an hour there to start the day. I don’t just like it because it’s conveniently located on my way to work, but also because the service is consistently pleasant. This week, I realized that the reason for this exceptional service is because of him.

The little details I observed:

He remembers my order (to be fair, it’s just a simple black coffee with no sugar — the easiest option on the menu), and as soon as I walk in, he starts preparing it. When he’s not behind the counter, he sits somewhere in the shop, quietly observing how customers are enjoying their time. I only really caught onto this behavior this week, though. Without his apron, he blends in seamlessly with the other people in the shop. I admire the attention to detail he brings to his work, making sure every customer has a great experience, and it’s one of the reasons this coffee shop has become my favorite.

3. What I created.

With the sickness, it wasn’t just an unproductive week, but an uncreative one as well. As a writer, it’s my rule to spend more time writing than consuming someone else’s work, but this week I struggled to achieve that. I hope to bring a better reflection next week.

Next Week’s Peek — What I’m looking forward to and why

Looking ahead at my calendar, it looks like I’m in for a busy week! I’ve got an off-site team event, a farewell gathering for a work buddy who’s relocating to Paris with his family, and a workshop in the evening.

That said, what I’m most excited about is finally feeling better and getting back into my writing routine. I can’t wait to say goodbye to this pesky sore throat, stuffy nose, and foggy head.

Hope you had a great week.

Catch you next week!