Inspiring quotes, my only torch in the darkness of independence.
On the road to self-discovery to find one’s center one must first be unbalanced and sway form side to side.
Previously:
The protagonist, determined to change her life, made up her mind to leave her company, and from that moment, a world of unknown possibilities began to unfold before her. A meeting at a café with a respected executive inspired her with the idea of pursuing a new business centered around “proposing ways of living.” Later, during an interview with her mentor, Kanai, she was told that she didn’t fit the role at RITZ, but this rejection became the push she needed to commit to independence. Kanai’s vision of her future, drawn on a whiteboard, and the symbolic gift of a stack of cash representing “the weight of one hundred million yen” stimulated her subconscious and shaped a new vision of success. Trusting her own values, she envisioned a future of freedom with multiple income streams. Standing at a major turning point in her life, she boldly takes her first steps forward.
10.3 Granting Permission to Change
Even after I decided to become independent, I continued exchanging daily emails with my mentor without fail. While my side hustle gradually started to generate a stable income, it didn’t come with the same guarantees as my corporate job. The constant pressure of having to earn my own living was always lingering in the back of my mind. Still, despite my anxieties, I had no choice but to move forward one step at a time.
Both in my apparel store and during my coaching sessions, one question always ran through my head: “How can we help people change?”
One day, a customer came into the store and said, “I’m not good at fashion.” I proposed a few outfits and encouraged her to try on some trendy pieces. She tried them but ultimately decided not to buy anything, saying, “These designs just aren’t something I’ve worn before.” That night, I wrote an email to my mentor: “There are so many people who want to change but can’t.”
The next day, my mentor replied with unexpected words:
“Everyone wants to change. But fundamentally, people don’t want to change — because they’re afraid.”
He then shared his own experience as a hairdresser. For clients who lacked confidence in their appearance, he would first suggest subtle changes and build trust with them. Then, he would plant the idea, saying, “Next time, let’s try something a little bolder.” This process allowed clients to give themselves permission to change.
Hearing this story moved me deeply. It wasn’t about persuasion — it was about gently standing by someone until they could find their own permission to change. The kindness and wisdom in this approach felt like a revelation.
Looking back, I realized that I had also been gaining awareness little by little through my mentor’s emails. One phrase in particular left a lasting impression: “You’ve allowed yourself to succeed.”
Change requires granting yourself permission. And what we can do for others is simply stand by them, helping them find that permission. It’s like the fable of the North Wind and the Sun — change isn’t something you force upon someone; it happens naturally when they discover their own “words of permission.”
10.4 Finding My Center Amid Uncertainty
Another challenge I faced was preparing for my first solo seminar. For the previous two seminars, I had the support of my mentors, but this time I had to manage everything on my own.
The three-hour seminar required extensive preparation — creating a PowerPoint presentation, arranging accessories to give as novelties, and organizing every detail. The to-do list seemed endless, and as I worked alone, my anxiety grew: Is this good enough? Will I provide value to the participants? At times, the loneliness felt almost crushing.
Then, one thought came to me:
“I just want to be useful to others.”
This simple idea eased my fears and became the foundation that supported me. Of course, the daily emails from my mentor also gave me the strength to keep moving forward.
One day, my mentor asked me a profound question:
“What do you want to do, Ms.Horiguchi?”
That question stopped me in my tracks. “Have I been going along with others’ expectations too much?” I wondered. I turned the question inward: What do I really want to do?
The following day, my mentor sent a follow-up email:
“Being swept along isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Once you figure out what you want to do, you can ride the waves and accelerate toward your goals. So don’t be afraid to go with the flow.”
Those words resonated deeply. What’s important is whether the “flow” is taking you in the direction you want to go. And if it is, having the intention to ride it with purpose.
Looking back, I can see that all my experiences so far have had meaning. There’s no need to fear being shaken. In fact, it’s in those moments of uncertainty that we discover our core. Even feelings of anxiety are part of an important process that helps us grow.
10.5 Shaping My Authentic Self
On March 27, as my third seminar came to an end, I was filled with a sense of accomplishment. Participants shared comments like, “The three hours flew by!” and “This was even better than last time!” At the networking event afterward, I was asked for my autograph for the first time in my life — an unforgettable moment that felt like a dream.
That day, my mother was also in the audience. After the seminar, she came over to me with a big smile and said, “I took notes properly, you know!” Her words brought an uncontrollable smile to my face. It felt like I had finally been able to show my parents the value of my independence. A warm feeling spread through my chest.
This time, I prepared with the goal of creating a “special experience” for everyone involved. I paid attention to every detail, from accessories and stylish drinks to carefully selected music. I wanted to break the conventional image of a “seminar” and create an entirely new kind of space. The result? Participants eagerly took notes and enthusiastically shared their thoughts with me afterward. Seeing their smiles and engagement filled me with a natural desire to create something even better. My preparations for the next challenge had already begun.
During this period, it was once again my mentor’s words that supported me: “Create a state where you feel most comfortable working.” That single phrase saved me countless times. But the reality was far from easy. I spent 10 hours a day at my corporate job, 5 hours on my side hustle, and slept only 4–6 hours a night. Still, I carried my mentor’s words in my heart: “Focus only on what you want to do.” By constantly improving how I used my time, I managed to keep going.
By clarifying what I truly wanted to do, I came to understand its importance. Instead of leaving goals vague, I learned to define them clearly and turn them into tangible results. my mentor often said, “Every piece of work you do at the start becomes part of your portfolio.” With those words in mind, I approached even the smallest tasks with care, determined to complete each one to the best of my ability. Little by little, these efforts opened the door to my future.
Looking back, I can’t begin to measure how much my mentor’s words and guidance supported me. Without his presence, I would have surely stopped in my tracks.
“People only take action when they truly know what they want to do.”
This phrase from my mentor remains deeply etched in my heart. Even when my sense of self wavers, having someone who stands by my side and walks with me has given me the strength to shape a future that feels true to myself.
