12 Steps to Self Care - Japan style!

I was on social media the other day when one of my friends posted an image with the following 12 steps to living a happier life.

1. If it feels wrong, don't do it
2. Say exactly what you mean
3. Don't be a people pleaser
4. Trust your instincts
5. Never speak bad about yourself
6. Never give up on your dreams
7. Don't be afraid to say no
8. Don't be afraid to say yes
9. Be kind to yourself
10. Let go of what you can't control
11. Stay away from drama and negativity
12. LOVE

What struck me after reading it was how culturally subjective many parts of this list really are, and how little this kind of thinking would fly in Japanese society. So, for your viewing pleasure, and with no particular empirical data to back this up, here is my tongue-in-cheek 12 Steps to Self Care list - JAPAN STYLE!

1. If it feels wrong, endure it stoically and don't make waves
2. Never say exactly what you mean, it's too direct
3. Be a people pleaser, others before self
4. Don't trust your instincts, always ask for advice and find out the proper way of behaving
5. Always speak badly about yourself, be humble
6. Give up on your dreams and sacrifice yourself for another
7. Never say no, say what others expect you to say
8. Never say yes, say what others expect you to say
9. Be kind to others, be hard on yourself
10. If you can't control it, you need more rules and paperwork
11. Do not cause drama or negativity
12. LOVE, but not in public...don't even say the word out loud