【New Year Special Edition】Make 2024 Your Best Year with My Recommended Gadgets and Apps!

Happy New Year!

A new year has begun, and a fresh 365 days lie ahead of us. The start of a new year is an excellent opportunity to set new goals and chase new dreams. And what supports us on this journey are reliable tools and resources.

In this newsletter, I would like to share with you some of my favorite gadgets, apps, and even ways to use ChatGPT. These have made my daily life and work more efficient, stimulated my creativity, and, most importantly, enriched my journey of self-growth.

Of course, what works for me might not necessarily work for everyone, but I hope you can find some new ideas or inspiration. Let’s dive in!

■ Morning Routine

◎Komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) Banana Soy Milk Smoothie & Boiled Egg
I started this morning routine during the pandemic. Each serving costs about 100 yen, but it’s a great alternative to visiting an esthetician. I previously had six sessions of photo facial at a dermatologist for some bothersome spots, but they didn’t lighten much. Now, the spots have faded to the point where I don’t even need to use concealer!

◎ Transcendental Meditation
I started practicing Transcendental Meditation (TM) in 2018. It’s a type of meditation where you chant a mantra, and I find it easier to dive into pure consciousness with this method compared to breath-led meditation. I began it to boost my creativity, and I’ve certainly felt its effects. It has helped me eliminate feelings of haste and anxiety, allowing me to live in the moment. The course requires just four consecutive days of training, and while it is somewhat pricey, it’s a worthwhile investment for a lifelong tool. I highly recommend it to people!

◎ Hair Care
Recently, during a party barrel event in my room, the topic of hair care came up. Here are the products I love and have found effective:

Davines Shampoo & Conditioner (choose the type that suits you)
A sustainable hair care and skincare brand born in Parma, Italy.

MUJI Hair Oil (before blow-drying)
It leaves your hair feeling moisturized and settled after blow-drying.

René Furterer 5 Sens Oil (a non-volatile oil for styling)
It smells wonderful and I feel like it raises my vibrations!

■Houseplants

◎Plant Activator “DOMO”
A Sakura orchid, which usually blooms only once every few years, blossomed twice within six months! Other plants that had stopped growing are sprouting new leaves too, which is amazing! The ease of just pouring one capful of it is a big plus. Developed by scholars from fungi that proliferate microorganisms, this plant activator is also sustainable. If you ever come to Japan, definitely get your hands on it!

■ Gadgets

◎ Compact Mobile Projector
I purchased this Android TV-equipped projector in 2021 and still use it daily. It’s highly recommended for those who don’t own a TV. As it’s a projector, you can project movies onto an entire wall, providing an immersive experience at home. Previously, I owned a projector for meeting rooms, thinking it would be used for work, so I’ve been using projectors for over 15 years. However, the upgrade to a version equipped with Android TV is a testament to significant advancements in technology.

■ ChatGPT4

It’s been about a year since ChatGPT was released. Beyond improving work efficiency, I have felt that ChatGPT enhances human creativity and growth. In 2023, the self-publication of “ChatGPT: Enhancing Humanity One Conversation at a Time” in both English and Japanese exceeded my expectations! I’m also excited about managing communities in collaboration with ChatGPT and the development of customized ChatGPTs, which I believe will be necessary for the world. I plan to create and utilize these to contribute to society. Recently, I’ve been using it to generate images that I like, framing them for decoration, and even creating illustrations for original T-shirts. As AI continues to advance in 2024, I’m eager to harness these developments and explore my own creativity alongside it.

■ Apps & Platforms

Here are some apps that have leapfrogged my creativity and learning.

◎Printify
I made T-shirts using illustrations generated with ChatGPT. In 2024, I plan to wear my custom mountain T-shirts for mountaineering!

◎Learning Platform “Coursera”
After discussing reskilling with ChatGPT, it suggested “Coursera.” I’m currently taking an introductory psychology course from Yale University — and it’s free!

◎Design App Canva
I used this to create the cover for my Kindle book. It requires a sense of style but not necessarily design skills!

I’d like to share a phrase that ChatGPT created for my original mountain climbing T-shirt.

“Chase the stars: One step at a time leads to the peaks of greatness.”

Let’s make this year one of growth, joy, and fulfillment. May it be a year where we all find the courage to chase our dreams, the strength to overcome challenges, and the wisdom to cherish every moment.

Wishing you all a magical and blessed new year!