For many, a hobby is what makes life worth living. It’s that moment of zen at the end of the day or the relief you get after dealing with work drama, bad bosses, or any of the countless challenges life throws at you.
One of those challenges? Living in Japan. Well, actually live somewhere outside your native country. When you live abroad, you leave friends and family behind and start almost all over again. Cultivating a hobby, old or new, can make that step easier: something I realized when I came here in 2017. In my case the hobby – the passion – was theater.
I have been an actor since I was 5 years old. Granted, I’m an amateur actor, but a performer nonetheless. Growing up, evenings and weekends were devoted to drama, singing and dance lessons, and I took part in countless local productions. At university I immediately joined the drama club, served as chairman during my second year and performed at the renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I can’t be kept away from the stage; if I go too long without it, I feel restless, almost itchy.
