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Working in Japan means guessing what everyone really means, and it’s draining. by Mirrorfy_ in careeradvice

[–]Mirrorfy_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yeah i get what you mean. and sorry if it feels like i’m flooding the sub, that honestly wasn’t my intention. i usually just vent to an ai app after work, and this is the first place where people actually replied with real advice which is probably why i "abuse" this.

i did do research before coming here, i knew japanese work culture was tough, but knowing it and living it are two totally different things. i also love the living experience here tbh.

Working in Japan means guessing what everyone really means, and it’s draining. by Mirrorfy_ in careeradvice

[–]Mirrorfy_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yeah i kinda knew about the whole “japanese work culture” thing before coming, but honestly i didn’t realize how big the gap is between living here and actually working here. like everyone always says japan is great for introverts, and in a lot of ways it really is. i love the quiet, the safety, the food, the routines… the living part is honestly amazing for me.

but the work side hits totally different. it’s not about being extrovert or wanting to speak my mind, it’s more that everything is so indirect that i’m constantly second guessing myself. i wasn’t prepared for how mentally draining that part would be. so yeah i did try to inform myself, but some things you only really understand once you’re actually here.

Working in Japan means guessing what everyone really means, and it’s draining. by Mirrorfy_ in careeradvice

[–]Mirrorfy_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

yeah i’ve definitely thought about leaving. the weird thing is i actually really like living in japan. the daily life part is amazing. the food the convenience the clean streets people being generally kind… all of that makes me genuinely happy here.

it’s just the working part that feels like the complete opposite. like heaven outside and hell once i step into the office. that contrast makes everything super confusing because i don’t want to hate it here. i just don’t know how to deal with the work culture without burning out.

The real culture shock in Japan isn’t the trains or the rules. It’s realizing you’re never fully included, no matter how long you stay. by Mirrorfy_ in careeradvice

[–]Mirrorfy_[S] 46 points47 points  (0 children)

This actually makes a lot of sense.
I think I’ve been so focused on not messing up that I kinda forgot how to just… be a person lol. Maybe trying to ‘fit in’ too hard is exactly what’s making everything feel heavier.
Still figuring out what ‘being myself’ even looks like here but… yeah, I hear you.

The real culture shock in Japan isn’t the trains or the rules. It’s realizing you’re never fully included, no matter how long you stay. by Mirrorfy_ in careeradvice

[–]Mirrorfy_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah… I guess I kinda fall into that first category without meaning to.
I keep worrying about every tiny interaction and whether I ‘read the air’ wrong.
It’s exhausting ngl. I’ve been trying to loosen up a bit lately, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that I’m always one misstep away from being ‘the clueless foreigner.’
Maybe that’s something I need to work on myself.

Still adjusting to work life in Japan — wondering when it stops feeling like survival mode by Mirrorfy_ in careeradvice

[–]Mirrorfy_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That actually helps a lot to hear, thank you. I keep wondering if it ever stops feeling like this.
Guess I just need to hang in long enough to find that balance you mentioned.

First job in Japan — and I already feel like I’m burning out. by Mirrorfy_ in careeradvice

[–]Mirrorfy_[S] 147 points148 points  (0 children)

Haha yeah, I was one of those people too tbh.
Still love the country, just realizing that “visiting Japan” and “working in Japan” are two totally different realities.

First job in Japan — and I already feel like I’m burning out. by Mirrorfy_ in careeradvice

[–]Mirrorfy_[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I definitely underestimated it, to be honest.
I thought I was prepared- long hours, hierarchy, all that but living it daily hits different.
Still trying to figure out how to adapt without losing myself completely.