On March 12, I flew out of Japan for what was supposed to be a three-week trip to South Africa with my roommate—a long-planned visit to see her mom. We’d been watching the news, checking restrictions, and decided it was still safe to go. Japan’s borders weren’t fully closed, and Cape Town had only a handful of cases.

We landed on March 13. Within days, South Africa declared a state of emergency, and not long after, Emirates canceled flights. Then came the announcement of a strict lockdown starting at midnight on March 26—the day we were meant to leave. After a whirlwind of calls with my family, I grabbed one of the last flights out—South Africa → Europe → the U.S.—and landed at my parents’ home in Orlando, planning to quarantine for two weeks and head back to Japan.

Then, on April 3, Japan closed the border to many countries—including to foreign residents returning. I was suddenly 30, living in my childhood home again, indefinitely. I finally made it back on August 15—just over five months later.

Those five months were challenging and strangely precious. Here are three things I learned.

---

1) Building an Adult Relationship With My Parents Is Hard—and Worth It

Before this, the last time I’d spent that long at home was high school. For years I’d only seen my parents once or twice a year while studying and working in Japan. That distance created misunderstandings—about my work culture, my schedule, and why I couldn’t just “come home.” I also wasn’t great at explaining how hard the early years in Japan were: new jobs, minimal PTO at the start, and constant ramp-ups.

Being home changed that. We had time to talk—really talk. They learned more about my life; I learned more about theirs. We figured out how to relate as adults, not just parent/child on a holiday visit. That time gave us a new baseline of understanding, and I’m grateful for it. They fully support my life in Japan now, and I feel closer to them than I have in years.

---

2) I Love Teaching About Japan—and I’m So Thankful for My Online Community

Being away from Japan made me realize how much I love living there. It also reminded me how much I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned. The messages I received—from people who didn’t even know me personally—kept me going. That little online community made the uncertainty feel less lonely.

It also clarified my “why”: I want to create helpful, honest content about life in Japan—the kind of guidance I wish I’d had in 2012. If my experience helps even a handful of people study, work, or move abroad, that’s a win. I’m leaning into the creative side of this—teaching, storytelling, and building resources that make Japan feel more accessible.

---

3) I’m Stronger Than I Thought

I’ve done hard things—moving to Japan at 22, surviving tough jobs—but nothing prepared me for losing my routine, my home base, and my timeline all at once. Those months felt like limbo: everything around me moved forward while my life was paused. Mentally, it was a stress test—one I’d unknowingly trained for while rebuilding my mental health the year before.

Coming out the other side, I’m more resilient and more open than I was going in. That period forced perspective: what matters, what doesn’t, and how I want to spend my time. As I step into my 30s, I’m proud of what I built in my 20s—and proud of how I handled those five months.

Revised November 2025 for grammar and context.