Living with a Deep Appreciation for Space - The Simple Life I Chose at 68 Monday, July 13, 2026 (Reiwa 8)

## Introduction

Today, after a long time, I picked up a brush again.

It was not serious calligraphy. I simply used a brush pen I bought at a 100-yen shop and wrote the two kanji characters "recovery" on the back of a piece of paper.

However, for some reason, I felt the need to write those characters.

My shoulder had been injured, and my hand had not been able to move as I wanted.

For a long time, I had been busy with housework and daily responsibilities, without enough time for myself.

The word "recovery" may have been exactly the word I needed at this moment in my life.

## What My Son's Home Taught Me About Space

One of the reasons I came to value space so much was my son's way of living.

My son's home stands on more than 500 tsubo of land, and the building itself is also a very large house, with more than 100 tsubo of floor space.

Each room is spacious, and even with a bed placed inside, there is enough room to put a vacuum cleaner underneath it.

"Ah, this is what a room for a bed is supposed to be like."

That was what I felt.

In many Japanese homes, furniture is often placed into limited spaces. If two beds are placed in a six-tatami room, there is little room to walk. Cleaning becomes difficult, and before we realize it, dust gathers in corners.

I realized that I no longer wanted to live that kind of life.

What matters is not simply placing things in a room. What matters is having enough space for people to move freely and to feel the presence of that space.

## What I Had Lost While Living in Shizuoka

In Shizuoka, I lived with my husband in a three-story house.

It was not that I disliked cooking.

I wrapped vegetables in newspaper to keep them fresh.

I planned meals so that food would not expire.

I tried not to waste anything we bought.

In the past, cooking brought me joy.

However, at some point, I began to feel that it was becoming a task that consumed my own precious time in life.

I worked, continued my acupuncture practice and English lessons, and also managed all the housework.

There were even times when I cleaned up while crying.

"Why am I spending so much of my time doing all of this?"

That was the feeling I had begun to carry.

## The Long Journey of Searching for Eden

It took many years before I decided on Matsuyama Eden.

The first place I visited was Hamamatsu Lake Eden.

The reason was simple: it was close to where I lived, and it was the first Eden facility established.

However, after meeting the staff, considering the atmosphere of the location, and looking at the cost, I felt that it was not the right place for me.

After that, I researched facilities throughout Japan.

Of course, it was impossible to visit all of them.

Among the choices, Matsuyama Eden was realistic in terms of cost, and the fact that there is a hospital next door gave me great peace of mind.

The beginning of this journey came from watching a program called "72 Hours Documentary" about ballroom dancing in Aburatsubo.

I saw that even as people grow older, they can continue to have connections with others and enjoy life.

Perhaps being moved by those people was the beginning of my thinking about how I wanted to live in the future.

## Living Lightly

Since moving to Matsuyama, I have tried to live with as few possessions as possible.

I do not keep more food than can fit in my refrigerator.

I avoid keeping things that might attract cockroaches.

I keep only the furniture I truly need.

Instead of a large bed, I chose a mattress that can also be used as a sofa.

A small desk and a folding chair.

Even these are enough for my current life.

My husband feels secure when he has many possessions.

However, if living together means returning to a life surrounded by too many things, I would rather choose to live alone.

What I want is not a luxurious lifestyle.

What I want is to keep my own space in order and live my life until the end in my own way.

I want to remain as light and free as possible.

I believe this is the kind of life I want at the age of 68.

## Conclusion

Today, after a long time, I picked up a brush and wrote the word "recovery."

As calligraphy, it is still far from perfect.

The vertical lines, horizontal lines, stops, and strokes.

Because I wrote without any practice, it was not a beautiful piece of writing.

However, those two characters contained my feelings at this moment.

Recovery of my hand.

Recovery of my way of living.

And recovery of myself.

Because there is space, something new can enter.

From now on, I want to continue valuing not possessions, but time, experiences, and the movements of my heart.

#LifeAt68  
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#SecondChapterOfLife  
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#Recovery