Navigating Identity and Belonging: A Journey of Self-Discovery in Japan
Moving to Japan at 22 helped my depression. At 31, I don't know where I belong.
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Laura Pollacco moved to Japan at 22 to escape depression and found new purpose. Now 31, she grapples with feelings of homesickness and uncertainty about her future as a freelancer in Tokyo, questioning her place in a foreign land and contemplating a return to England.
- 01Laura Pollacco initially moved to Japan through the JET Program to teach English, seeking a fresh start from her struggles with depression.
- 02After returning to the UK during the pandemic, she moved back to Japan in 2022, driven by ambition and a desire to reconnect with her creative community.
- 03Pollacco is currently experiencing burnout and feelings of homesickness, despite her professional growth in Tokyo.
- 04Language barriers and rising anti-foreigner sentiment have contributed to her sense of isolation in Japan.
- 05She is now at a crossroads, contemplating whether to remain in Japan or return to England, reflecting on her past and future.
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Laura Pollacco, at 22, moved to Japan seeking adventure and a remedy for her depression after a difficult period in England. Initially, her experience in Japan was transformative; she found new hobbies, made connections, and reignited her passion for life while teaching English through the JET Program. However, after returning to the UK during the pandemic, she realized her professional prospects were brighter in Tokyo, prompting her return in 2022 on a working holiday visa. Now 31 and working as a freelancer, Pollacco faces new challenges, including burnout and feelings of homesickness. Despite her success in building a client base and adapting to life in Japan, she struggles with language barriers and a sense of alienation amid rising anti-foreigner sentiment. Pollacco reflects on her longing for the pastoral life of her youth in England and grapples with whether her feelings signify a need for change or a temporary low period. As she navigates these complex emotions, she hopes to make the best decision for her and her fiancé's future.
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Pollacco's experiences highlight the emotional and psychological challenges faced by expatriates in Japan, particularly in relation to mental health and cultural integration.
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