i left tech in the states and officially moved to rural japan about 6 months ago
some learnings along the way:
trash is sorted in various categories (paper, plastic, “burnables”, bottles, landfill, etc), thrown away in designated bags, and picked up on different days
this forces a new awareness around what i consume, and how much i consume
when my compost gets full, i dig a hole in my garden, bury it, and in 2 weeks, it turns back into soil and nourishes the earth
additionally, the wifi fluctuates based on the weather. during winter, i stay warm by refilling my kerosene heater with gas that i buy at the station
life isn't as “convenient” here, but in return, i feel more connected to the world around me
what i use isn’t abstracted away into a number or a series of dials. i'm experiencing more of the supply chain, and gaining appreciation for how things are both created and discarded
here, you’re stripped of any labels from a previous life: of how much you’ve earned, of what kind of fancy tech you’re playing with, or who you're connected to
in rural japan, everyone isn’t keeping up with the latest tech and the rising unicorn startups
they have nothing to gain if you’ve talked to XYZ influential person and aren't swayed by abstract promises, because they care about is what’s real and practical for daily life