Home / Main / PA Feb 10
Is it March yet?? Coping with the Big Freeze
Hi everyone,
Well, the inevitable has happened - the rain has started up again after a few days of well-needed sunshine. I suppose on days like this it's important to remind ourselves that eventually (maybe tomorrow, even!) the sun will return, and hey - at least all this moisture didn't decend upon us as more snow!
I write to you on this dreary Thursday for two reasons. First is recontracting. Some of you have already made your decision, but many others are still in the process of weighing out the pros and cons of choosing to stay another year. As many of you know all too well, this is not an easy decision by any means! There are so many factors involved; personal, professional and emotional. It's a decision we all have to make at some point, and can be utterly overwhelming.
I have a few suggestions to consider if you are still working through this decision:
--I know it's hard (particularly this time of year) to separate temporary factors from what is, has been, and will continue to affect us, but I urge you to try to weed any such factors out of your decision-making process. We're in the middle of the worst winter I have ever seen on JET and I fear that this, in addition to the deluge of rain we got in the fall, is taking its toll on a lot of us - physically and mentally. I know it's hard to think about now, but the weather will improve, and trust me: spring in Japan is one of the most beautiful sights you will ever see. That's why I urge you to remember that soon enough the weather will change, but your decision will be set in stone.
Additionally, this is a bit of an odd time at work. We have just come out of a considerable break from classes, and getting back into the groove might be coming with difficulty for some of you. It can be discouraging. If work isn't going so well for you now, try to decide if it's that you are still adjusting from break, or if it's an issue which has been going on for awhile.
--Ask yourself if life on JET will continue to contribute to your personal and professional development for the next year and a half. Think about the goals you had when you came here, and whether staying an extra year will help you come closer to reaching them.
--It's not a good idea to stay because you want to put off another decision, whether it's a career choice or a life path, or something else. Above all, stay because you want to...not because you feel like you have to.
--Get your feelings about this decision out as clearly as possible! Write down a list of pros and cons if you're so inclined, talk to your friends over coffee, your family at home...anyone you feel like you can trust. This is a big decision, and although at the end of the day it is yours alone to make, you don't have to tackle it by yourself.
I also suggest you try reaching out to one of the resources available to you through JET - whether it is the JET hotline, the AJET PSG, or myself. I am happy to talk through this decision with anyone who is interested in doing so! I am not here to convince you to stay or go; I'm simply here to listen. The same goes for the JET resources above: the people you speak to will not pressure you in one direction or another, and additionally, you can speak to them anonymously.
Alright, onto my second reason for writing you. As I mentioned before, this has been a seriously rough winter, and I worry that it's getting to those of us from warm climates, or who aren't keen on hurtling down a mountain with wood strapped to our feet. If you are feeling a bit down these days, I have some suggestions that are tried and true, and have helped me and other JETs through many a winter here.
First and foremost, get out of the house! I know it's tempting to hibernate inside and avoid the cold, harsh weather, but it will make a world of difference for you if you get out once in awhile. There are still a number of social events happening these days; connect to your peers and give yourself a well-needed change of scenery.
If you really don't want to leave the house, try inviting a few friends over for dinner. Cooking makes your apaato toasty-warm, and your balcony is a natural fridge for that giant vat of chili or soup. Can't cook? Learn! Or you could have a pot luck. Or you could enlist one of your kitchen savvy friends to make a tasty meal in exchange for your company.
Speaking of food, it's tempting to eat conbini food which is quick, easy and (sometimes) warm this time of year, but do your best to stay healthy and eat the same types of foods you would any other time of the year, when your path to the grocery store isn't covered in fluffy white piles of inconvenience.
Join a gym, or attend an exercise class. Consider popping into a sports club. Many offer daily rates, and you can get some good endorphines pumping!
Go play in the snow! There's so much of it, why not make use of the stuff? There are a good deal of JETs kicking around this year who have taken to snowboarding or skiing--connect to some of them, and tear up those slopes! Look for directions and info on toyamajets.net guides and info section, or at snowjapan.com.
Onsen or sento away your chilliness! Nothing feels quite so good as a warm soak in the winter. If you don't know a good local place, just ask your neighbors or teachers.
Any little thing you do to help you tolerate this weather is going to make a difference. Set the timer on your heater so it turns on before you get home, that way you never have to come home to a freezer. Put on some tea for yourself if you feel chilly. Take a bath, or change into some warm and comfy clothes when you get home. Stock your house with food when you can. Winter does not need to be terribly uncomfortable; think of small things you can do to make your life this time of year a little bit better.
As always, feel free to give me a ring if you feel like talking (confidential, as always). I am more than happy to talk or listen, and have been known to make emergency cappuccino runs if necessary (give me a reason to leave Yatsuo ;) ).
Below, I have included the contact information for some resources you can contact anonymously:
-International Mental Health Professionals of Japan http://www.imhpj.org/ -Tokyo English Life Line (free anonymous telephone counseling) http://www.telljp.com/
CLAIR JETLINE (03) 5213-1729 (9 am - 5:45 pm M-F)
AJET Peer Support Group 050-5534-5566 (8 pm - 7 am, every night)
Take care of yourselves! --Tiffany