Why I Quit My Work in Japan Without a Backup Job

When I was a kid, I dreamed of residing in Japan. I guess I blame all the animes that I’ve watched for making it look so interesting to live there. So, when I had a job offer in Japan, I took it! I enjoyed every moment of that achievement, until one day I wanted to quit.

What was my job?

Like many foreigners in Japan, I was an English teacher in a language school (or Eikawa).

I was not a stranger to teaching, because I used to be an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher to Korean students in the Philippines. I taught online, on the phone, in an English camp, and even as a tutor. Hence, I didn’t struggle that much in becoming a teacher in Japan and I enjoyed my job.

However, in my third year, that was the time that most of my friends left Japan or have moved to a different prefecture. I got lonely and started to think about what do I want next.

Why I Quit?

I wanted to do something else other than teaching.

One of my dream jobs is to be a writer--- which I actually used to do in the Philippines. I was a lifestyle writer for a magazine in the Philippines, but that career was cut off because I chose to move to Japan.

Anyways, I moved to Saitama thinking that maybe a change of environment would help me to be less lonely and maybe find a writing job that could sponsor my new working visa. I did feel less alone because I met my husband, but I could only find freelance writing gigs.

Because of this, I wanted to just go back home to the Philippines to pursue my writing career. But, meeting the perfect life partner is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thus, I decided to get married to my husband. And he still wants to explore Japan and he was just starting his career, we decided to stay.

However, he knew that I was unhappy with my work and I considered moving back to the Philippines to become a writer. My mental health was really suffering, so my husband told me I could quit my job and focus on the things I like to do.

I then change my visa to Dependent, in order to legally stay in Japan with my husband.

Life Without a Job

It was difficult because ever since I started working when I was 21 years old, I always have a job. I got depressed because of it.

But thank goodness, my husband was very supportive and encouraged me to just focus on writing and developing my skills.

I took online classes for Digital Marketing and SEO during the pandemic. Plus, I created my website.

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I also try to study Japanese in my spare time and I make my husband his bento (lunchbox) every day! He loves it and it makes him happy.

Am I happier now?

YES!

Even though I’m not a career woman anymore, I still want to write about traveling and earn money from it. But because of the situation right now (thanks to the pandemic), it’s very challenging. So, for now, I’ll just keep writing on my blog and my website.

It’s better to invest your time in something that you like--- even if there’s no pay, than a job that makes you miserable. Mental health is important.

Hopefully, one day, I can earn a living for something I’m passionate about.

Here's for a new beginning....