5 Years in Tokyo: How Moving to a New Country Helped Me Find Myself (and Build My Coaching Framework)

Five years ago, I packed my bags and took a one-way flight to Tokyo. No plan, no network, no idea what awaited me – just a desire for something different. I remember thinking, ‘Sure, let’s move to a country where I don’t speak the language or know a single person. What could possibly go wrong?’

It turns out, a lot. But also, a lot did go right.

I won’t sugarcoat it. The first few months were tough, like really tough. I was figuring out simple things like grocery shopping (yes, I once bought salt when I needed sugar, don’t ask how), but I was also going through a breakup in the middle of a pandemic. Throw in the loneliness of being in a city of millions but knowing no one, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for isolation. Tokyo is huge, yet it somehow felt even bigger when I was standing in it, completely alone.

The Hardest Part? Myself.

The external challenges were hard, sure, but the hardest part was looking inward. In the quiet of lockdown, I realized I had to ask myself a question I’d been avoiding: ‘What do I really want?’

It was the kind of existential crisis that makes you rethink everything. What was my purpose? What was my goal? Honestly, I didn’t know, but being alone in a foreign country gave me the space – and the push – I needed to figure it out.

Fast forward to now, and the picture looks pretty different. Not only have I adapted to life in Tokyo, but that journey of self-discovery became the foundation for something unexpected: my life coaching practice.

Motivation, Self-Acceptance, and Confidence: The Trifecta

In these five years, I’ve come face-to-face with the same things that many of us battle – lack of motivation, low self-confidence, and a need for deeper self-acceptance. I was no exception. If I’m being honest, those were the real obstacles, more so than learning the language or adapting to a new culture.

We’ve all been there: You start something new and the voice of doubt creeps in. ‘Can I really do this? Am I good enough?’ The motivation fizzles, and you find yourself wondering if you’ll ever reach your goals.

Through these battles, I learned how to break down these inner obstacles, piece by piece. Motivation, self-acceptance, and confidence are not ‘one-size-fits-all’ problems, and neither are the solutions. It took time, but I found my own path through them – and now, I help others do the same.

Building a Coaching Framework That Works for My Clients

Here’s the thing: I don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions. What works for me might not work for You. That’s why I’ve been building a coaching framework filled with tools that are adaptable, depending on what each person needs.

In my coaching sessions, I don’t start by handing you a pre-packaged set of solutions. Instead, I ask the most important question: ‘What works best for you in this situation?’ Together, we’ll explore what feels right, and then we build the tool that works for You and only for you.

For some, this might involve somatic experiences – tapping into your body’s signals to understand what’s really going on beneath the surface. For others, it might be cognitive strategies or visualization techniques that help break down goals into manageable, achievable steps. Breathwork is another powerful tool, helping you tap into a state of calm and focus when life feels overwhelming.

Whatever the situation, we‘ll craft a recipe together to turn it into ‘the drink of your choice’.

My Services: More Than Just a Quick Fix

I’m not here to sell you a quick fix or a one-size-fits-all plan. Real change takes time, and that’s what my services are designed for.

What I’ve Learned in 5 Years?

If these past five years have taught me anything, it’s that the real journey is the one we take inward. Moving to Tokyo gave me the gift of isolation – sounds strange, right? But it’s true. In the quiet of those early months, I finally had the space to ask the tough questions, to face my fears, and to start figuring out who I really was.

Now, I use everything I’ve learned to help others who are in the midst of their own transitions, whether it’s moving countries, changing careers, or simply figuring out the next step in life.

And if you’re feeling stuck, unsure, or overwhelmed by your own experience? I’ve been there. Let’s figure it out together.

Next Step! If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s chat about where you are in your path, and how I can help you in finding clarity, confidence, and the tools that work for you. 

Pats,
Anya 🫰🏽