Hello, this is Asato and I recently call myself “a life coach with a journal”. Thank you very much for visiting my website “minimalish life”. I write about anything related to planning, journaling and stationeries.
This is my very first article on this website. I am a little bit nervous but also excited to embark on this new journey. Since this is the first post, let me do a small introduction of who I am.
Japanese living in Rwanda since 2017
Come to think of it, 2017 was the year that my life turned its direction drastically. As I quit my very stable corporate job and moved in with my husband who had already started working in Rwanda, I encountered a lot of changes physically and mentally.
Throughout the course of time, I always had my journal (Hobonichi weeks Mega specifically) at hand. I’ve been capturing goods and bads in written format, and it really helped me to digest many emotional adventures. I started to notice how much I am supported by this journaling habit.
Not that I look back to those books a lot, seeing them lining up in one corner of my closet makes me very happy. Plus, now that I’m in Rwanda for 7+ years, the stack of my annual book is expanding.
Juggling multiple activities
Just to share a sneak peak of what I am doing in Rwanda;
- I am a mama of two boys – Becoming a mother was also a big life shift that impacted me in multiple dimensions. It really punched me in the face to investigate how I am spending my precious time.
- Corporate job – I’ve been in the automotive industry ever since I started working in Japan. It’s been quite some time and to be honest I am more into stationeries than vehicles, but I do enjoy working at a local company with a local team.
- Life coach with a journal – I host a monthly journaling workshop in Kigali, Rwanda. This was my way of connecting with like minded friends and to secure my journaling time. This has been a great adventure for me and I’m happy to report that I’ve hosted 50+ workshops in the last 3 years.
- Sharing my thoughts online – As I navigate my Rwanda life, I started developing my passion for writing. Originally it was only in my notebook, but as I became a life coach, I wanted to share my mindset and thoughts out loud. So I started writing newsletters on Substack. >> Receive my newsletter
- Sharing my notebook addiction on YouTube – Shortly after writing online, I also started sharing my planners and notebook love on YouTube. I thought I am the only one who is too obsessed with notebooks, but I found my flock there. If you are also a planner/stationary lover like me, come and visit my YouTube channel! >> Jump to YouTube
Hosting journaling workshop since 2021
What makes me “a life coach with a journal” is the monthly journaling workshop I host in Kigali, Rwanda.
It started very small. I started this event to see if I can find my-kind-of people, meaning someone who is a bit introverted to join a big event, but also wants to connect with new friends. Who also enjoys writing and reflecting, preferably at a pretty coffee shop, because otherwise I never get out of the house.
It started with 3 good friends of mine, and step by step, the community is expanding. I’m surprised to see that I’ve had almost 300 participants in the past 3 years!
Not only do I host my monthly workshop but I also collaborate with yoga teachers for mindful workshops. And starting 2024, I’m focusing on offering advanced journaling time with themed workshops, such as goal-setting workshops or work-life-balance workshops. There are many more to come!
>>Check the latest workshop schedule on Instagram
Became a certified life coach in 2023
Sharing my passion for journaling started small back in 2021, but over the course of time, I wanted to offer something a little more deeper.
I overcame the fear of the unknown and studied to become a certified life coach. The main philosophy of coaching is “the answer is within you”, and it really resonated with what I am doing.
During the workshops, I give some journaling prompts and let everyone explore their mind freely. There is no right or wrong. There is no good or bad. Just exploring thoughts and expressing through writing, people experience some AHA moments. When something clicks within herself/himself.
Starting blog in 2024
As I started to embark on a life coaching journey, I wanted to have a space to share my thoughts and ideas related to journaling, planning and stationeries.
Here are some ideas that I have;
- How to start journaling for new beginner
- How to be consistent with journaling
- What notebook should I use for journaling etc…
I want to share my love of journaling and to encourage other to do the same, as I truely believe in the power of writing and self-reflection. There are so many idea popping up in my head so I cannot wait to digest and put them out in words.
New writing adventure has just begun!
So here I am. Almost finished with writing my very first blog post on a “minimalish life” website.
I hope this blog will give you a nice push to open your beautiful notebooks that you got excited to get but wrote only 1 page and sitting on the shelf forever. We all know that we have them!
So many 1st time participants of the journaling workshop confess that the book was safely kept somewhere forever! So, let’s get it out. It is time to make use of it!