The Adventures of a Traveling Creative: Recent Episodes
Watajii
We can't always choose our adventures, so why not record moments of the ride? Here lies the thoughts, stories, clouds of clarity, spiritual adventures, wild adventures, life realizations, etc. of an adventurous, queer, poc artist in their 20's frolicking about the globe, pursuing their dream/ideal life style.
Below is the linktree to all watajii content:
https://linktr.ee/watajii
Travel content so far:
Japan (Sept. 2022- Sept.2023)
Intuition comes to us in many different shapes and forms. For some its a feeling in the pit of their stomach, for others it may be their palms sweating or a strong mental sense of rejection. Theres so many ways to go about understanding your intuition...so lets talk about it...
I talk about how it feels to reintegrate yourself into a childhood passion, the feelings and satisfaction it brings.Returning to your first passion and connecting to your inner child is a beautiful and underrated process.
I took a weekend trip to Osaka and talk about my experiences and how I was inspired by other black creatives.I also talk about the struggles of being a senior in college and trying to always avoid the mindset of, “What’s next???”
I recorded this about a month after the last episode, yet to my surprise, I still had alot of similar things on my mind that I was thinking of a month ago.I review some life lessons and start to realize some big differences in my life in Japan versus my life in America
I recently had spring break, the equivalent to America's summer break as it's about three-ish months.Here's a few revelations I had while in Okinawa
After Japan's snowy city in Sapporo, Hokkaido, we take sometime to wind down in the snowy countryside of Biei, Hokkaido and experience a ryokan near the mountains.
(We stayed in Shirogane Onsen town at two different ryokans)
The nature we visited was Shirogane Waterfall and Shirogane Blue Pond
The 'flower field' we went snow rafting (800 yen/$6), snow mobiling (1,200 yen/$9), and to see the alpacas (500 yen/ $4) were at Shikisai No Oka.
Finally decided to check out Japan's northern winter wonderland and experience the excitement, relaxation, and refreshing aspect of being out of Tokyo's fast paced city life.
After taking the first two months of the year to myself, I wanted to finally upload this episode I recorded last month before starting anything new.
With 2023 having just started there's already been so much change in life and the way I've began to approach things.
In this episode I talk about how New Years in Tokyo went, my evolving morning routine, and more.
On this episode, me and my friend Estelle (her instagram is @stellasincerity) talk about the struggles many creatives tend to face when it comes to producing art, finding confidence in your vision when people tell creatives that life as an artist isn't sustainable, and digging to the roots of the common anxieties artists face on a normal basis.
We basically dig pretty deep into what it means to create as an artist who wants to dedicate their life to their passion
As an artist, there can often be moments where we don't feel like producing and putting out artwork. I took the time to step away and take a break from producing content in this last month of December.
This episode includes an update on things I've been doing and how my December has been going
(The audio in this episode may be a bit muffled as I was on a walk and had forgot that I still had my headphone connected. However, I had really valued some of the points that I discovered here and figured I'd post it anyhow )
It's Christmas day in Tokyo, which also happens to be my first time spending Christmas away from family.
Today I not only talk about Christmas but about what it feels like to celebrate a holiday as you're older and traditions change from when you may have been a kid.
I share how I plan to spend my holiday and what I've learned I personally value when spending a holiday away from home.
Here's the newly released link to all of my Tokyo content including my blog and Tiktok:
https://linktr.ee/day2japan
Today's episode summary:
After going into detail about the ins and outs of being in the shifting of one's season in part one, now I've tackle what it means to be in a season, what seasons entail, and some things about my own upcoming season.
I have officially released the link to all of my social media content going over my time in Tokyo:
(this includes my blog and Tiktok)
https://linktr.ee/day2japan
Today's episode summary:
Recently I've recognized that I'm in between seasons in life, in a shifting of the season if you say.
What are seasons in life, how do I define it, what is it to be "in between seasons", and even more questions may come to mind when reading a title like that.
After a small introduction I dive into this two part discussion.
On part two of my journey to Mount Takao I focus on my actual expedition up the mountain, all the different things I witnessed on my way up the mountain including Monkey Park and Takao Shrine, and the spiritualty I felt on the mountain including messages from God I was blessed with at the mountain peak.
(p.s again, the first five minutes is more an update and then I get into the details of the mountain expedition)
I decided to climb a mountain and fully immerse myself in some nature during fall break. Part one of my trip to Mount Takao (called Takaosan in Japanese) focuses on the start of my journey and how I wrestled with God's mysterious divine timing on my way to the mountains, and how my visit to the Trick Art Museum and the Takao Onsen went.
(P.s the first five minutes is more of a life update and then I get into the actual journey)
Next for fall break I decide to have a self care day and enjoy the wonder of Enoshima Island Spa for a day before returning to Tokyo.
The spa includes a heated infinity pool facing the ocean and a very famous mountain, a much bigger onsen that I experienced at the ryokan (a traditional Japanese Inn/hotel) in Hakone, a sauna, and a resting room.
The first destination of fall break is Hakone, Japan.
I go over how I decided where to go for fall break in general, how the trip went with the friends I brought along, what it was like using the onsen (hot springs) for the first time, and more juicy content
I have officially created an intro and outro for this series! It's bound to change in the future once I learn more about creating tunes and music, but for now I'm proud of what I was able to create and how the long awaited process turned out.
Today I give a detailed introduction of who I am, my goals, ambitions, dreams, and a bit about why I decided to go to Japan.
My birthday was recently and I turn the big 23!
I talk about how my family and friends threw me a surprise zoom party, I went to a conveyor belt dessert cafe, and successfully found the last accessory I needed for my Halloween costume.
Like the title says, I talk about enjoying a nice day to myself on a Sunday in Shinjuku, Japan. I accidentally ran into an art store, and a very yummy ramen shop.
I also touch on my fall break plans and the process of trying to plan it
Me and some friends go skating in Tokyo Dome, attend karaoke and sing anime songs and throw backs, and then go on some entertaining evening adventures
While waiting for my train home, I talk about my Friday and how me and some friends planned a cute lil ghibli night with a snack potluck
Ive joined Judo club and talk about my experience getting tossed around like a salad the first day of practice
My fall break is also coming up so Ive been trying to figure out what the best way to spend it would be. It's giving a nature based trip so far.
I decided to take a day trip to Yokosuka last weekend and attended a firework festival I also give another weekend update with the typical splash of chaos
P.S
*ALSO update at 13:00 (the person I was talking about was not exactly a friend, more of someone me and my actual friends had met that evening. I chose the wrong choice of words)
Me and my friends went to a Halloween event at a club in Shinjuku. Staying true to what seems to be a forming pattern, I had yet another chaotic weekend. But this time, it was much more enjoyable, filled with meeting lots of new people, and witnessing my friends endure some unexpected events.
With it only being my first two and a half weeks on the other side of the world, I come to the realization that I dont have to have everything together.
Like seedlings planted in a new garden, it can take some time to bloom into your confidence and comfort in a new place
Certainly not as chaotic as the stories from last weekend.
This past weekend I was with a fun group of new friends, we went on some adventures, skipped the midnight train and rode back around 5am.
I encounter life saving strangers, and tell the story of how I made my way home with no train pass and without a coin in sight.
On a nice little walk to the grocery store I talk about how it's already been two weeks in Japan, and how I realize that Ive been being too hard on myself while adjusting to a new environment
a complete disaster involving the Tokyo police multiple times.......yet with a very satisfying and lesson filled ending
today's question of the day focuses on what your personal definition of being faithful during a chaotic time is
Today was quite an enjoyable day in comparison to my chaotic weekend.
(check out the next episode to understand why)
The highlights of my day included:
Kaitenzushi (conveyor belt) sushi
vegan spanish food with new friends
I slept in later than I would have hoped today (until about 4 pm if I'm being honest)
I explored a very interesting mall with gachapon/toy capsule machines, tried some cold udon and more snacks/desserts from a supermarket, and played a fun card game with my dorm mates.
And surprise surprise, the question of the day is back and more indepth than ever!~
Today I talk about the exhilarating feeling of the passion derived from taking the time to accomplish the small ambitions in life and how accomplishing our most simple dreams and ambitions fulfills us with a spiritual and mental strength we couldn't have dreamed of.
I also talk about my day at orientation and how I basically lived an extrovert's dream today
It was more of a chill day inside for me today. And from that I learned that I'm currently still on a journey of learning to respect all parts and sides of myself in my daily living. I'm also learning this lesson in how I chose to express myself in my media and art work.
Still on a break from the questions of the day, but no worries, I'm sure they'll be returning soon enough.
I talk about my visit to Shibuya and Shibuya crossing with all it's ups and not a down, but quite an odd encounter with a particular Japanese gentleman.
I got to make a new friend today that is also from my school in Miami, and realized how refreshing it was to hang out with someone from the same country for the first time since arriving.
No question of the day today because I'm tired and it's about 3am here
With it being my first week in Japan, I talk about all the changes and adjusting Ive been doing.
I have a little chat about all of the dms Ive been receiving from people interested in my journey
Adjusting my sleep schedule
calling family to let them know Im okay
and just my other lil adventures around Japan like tasting fruit sandwiches
So I've made it to Tokyo! Here I explain how my first few days in Japan have been like so far.
I touch on things such as the flight here, making it from the airport to my new place, essentials shopping when I barely know how to talk to people, and all that jazz.
I leave for Tokyo in less than a week, and wowie is that a lot to process
I talk about my excitement and what differentiates this intense internal excitement with the average excitement. How it almost feels like I've chosen all the correct paths in life to make it to this opportunity. Capturing the feeling of in words of when you can tell things are flowing in life the blissfully.
I also may start a blog....
An update on the pre-travel experience, my efforts to prepare for it all, and explaining more of the small hurdles and responsibilities of prepping to be an exchange student.
Also just a life update in general for this month
Let's chat about all the new changes that are to come this month.
Ill be moving to Japan this month, and oof is there alot to process behind that.
An extended opinion of how closing my Miami chapter in life has felt.
I also chat about other things on my mind at the time as I rest on my grandmother's porch.
Im outta Miami and now staying at home with the fam.
I chat about what genuine rest consists of, what is feels like entering adulthood, and give basically a lil life update on my day of rest
I chat about what I feel is required in a healthy friend group, and the journey it can be to shift friends throughout life.
Having gotten used to some new forms of expression, I express concern with how to keep up with these hobbies once I move, and if I'll shift to yet another new form of expression.
I also have a chat about expecting which art forms flow and which feel stagnant.
Expanding expectations and respecting the flow is a skill that we all struggle with.
I chat about the difficulties of balancing a life of living in a city and feeling the need to always want to go out and the adventure of staying inside and bonding with loved ones.
Its all about the balance
Friendships teach us how to be flexible with those we love, which allow us to be flexible with those we may not know as well.
Today I talk about how friendships change and how to respect that
Come listen to me sort out what my next goals will be, how often I reset my ambitions, and the importance of respecting when goals need to change.
In life, we are constantly changing into new seasons and shifting into new phases.
I discuss what it looks like to respect these new shifts and help aid them versus pushing things down.
Ill be traveling yet again to the South and explain my feelings behind setting my priorities straight
I also give some insight on an art project Im currently working on and discuss my vision. (The art talk starts around minute seven)
I review my trip to Atlanta and the lessons I took from the experience such as learning to be flexible.
I discuss the differences of what defines a helpful class setting and share my opinion on some expected class results.
Today I talk about an upcoming adventure with a close loved one and talk through my mindset of the types of dates I enjoy planning.
How do you define self love?
One of my definitions for that involves always putting the joy and safety of your future self. Even if that means spending $200+ to make sure you feel comfortable later....I guess.....
I talk about what it feels like to reconnect with old friends where you still have to relearn one another's boundaries.
Welcome to part one of two
The question:
Is it the teacher that is responsible for offering different ways of learning to students so that different types of learners can process and digest the materials, or is it up to the student to adjust to the teacher's teaching methods and find their own way to process the materials?
We deep exploration into the question of the day:
Is it true that our passions/goals/ambitions/hobbies that we hold close are considered a need just as important as our physical needs? Is spending time, sweat, and money on our passions required for people to live healthy lives inside and out, or are answering our passions answering more of a want than a need?
Honestly, the real question is, is there even truly a correct universal answer?
In this two part audio we explore past triggers and what its like to witness yourself in that state
Exploring the struggle of taking an exam you didnt feel prepared for
And the next part of this audio focuses on the question of the day
Some life updates:
Trying to create an outfit for an event
the story of how my roommate tried to get me to adopt a kitten
and I tackle the question of:
How does one find a balance between keeping up with ambitions versus respecting when our minds tell us a break is needed. When is the time to push past 'lazy' days and when is the time to accept your body is resting....?
Today's discussion:
Why do we compromise our happiness when we can pursue a life filled with joy?
What does it take to pursue 100% happiness in life, and is that even possible?
The firstie of the firstest podcast.
Recorded on a cozy day inside during a small tropical storm.
Contains:
a small introduction
my basic intentions for this podcast
my thoughts on rainy vs sunny summers
random thoughts
a recount my evening yesterday
and me gawking over a cute pack of ducklings