The Art of Slowly Living: How My Trip To Japan Shifted My Mindset For The Better
If you follow me on social media, you know I just returned from an incredible trip to Japan—and, well, I haven’t stopped talking about it. So naturally, my musings for you this month are straight from the land of matcha, mushrooms, and the most well-behaved crosswalks I’ve ever seen.
Mushrooms. Every. Single. Day.
I ate mushrooms every day—shiitake, enoki, lion’s mane—you name it. And there’s science to back it up: a study on the Japanese population found that regular mushroom consumption is linked to a significantly lower risk of dementia. Basically, Japan has been biohacking brain health for centuries.
Onsen culture—aka, peak relaxation
Imagine stepping into a natural hot spring, steaming from the earth, surrounded by mountains, completely nude (but it’s totally normal). Onsen culture is the original wellness spa, except it is way cooler and way older. The communal aspect, the ritual of soaking, the hot-cold therapy—I left wondering why we ever stopped bathing together.
Coffee + Matcha = ☺️✌️
Japan loves both coffee and matcha, which, naturally, made me feel right at home. I learned the way of tea—intentional, meditative, sacred. It made me reflect: can I bring more ritual into my own morning routine? Can my first mushroom tonic be a ceremony, not just a habit?
Japan vs. the Wild West
Picture this: I stand at a crosswalk, and instead of the usual chaotic free-for-all, people are patiently lined up behind me. No aggressive jaywalking, no rogue bikes—just order, respect, and calm. Japan reminded me to move through the world with more grace, patience, and deep reverence for others (and also made me hyper-aware of how feral we can be in North America).
Bowing—Yes, I now do it
And honestly? I love it. If you see me bowing at my laptop or at the grocery store, just know it’s coming from a place of deep respect.
Sending you warmth, mushrooms, and a gentle bow,
Tonya
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