[Public] Survived the Snow — Slowly Restarting (Late February)
Hello, this is Aimaitei Umami!
I’ve made it through the winter and the snow — somehow, I’m still alive.
Now that the snowfall has finally settled down, my mind has been calming down too.
This winter was honestly survival-mode difficulty…!?!!
There are still areas in Japan dealing with heavy snow.
And of course, many parts of the world are facing their own challenges.
Please, everyone — take care of your bodies.
Shoveling snow with already reduced stamina, constant decisions about removal, roof checks, stomach trouble, sleep deprivation.
This winter tested not just my physical strength, but my ability to keep making sound decisions.
There were days when the snow kept falling without pause, and while clearing the area in front of my house, I’d exchange words with elderly neighbors like,
“Isn’t this a bit too much of a trial? Isn’t this actually insane?”
Encouraging each other… I think? (laugh)
But now, the sky and the ground have finally calmed down,
and I’m slowly shifting from battle mode back to normal mode.
■ Health and Creative Work
Once snow response settled down, I’ve been able to return to my desk.
That said, it’s not “FULL RECOVERY!!!!!!!!” or anything like that.
There are days when my shoulders and neck hurt.
Days when my sleep is shallow.
Days when my stomach or solar plexus feels unsettled.
My pace is very slow.
I move the name (storyboard) forward a little.
Ink a few panels.
Then take a break when I’m tired.
Instead of “Today I’ll do X hours and Y pages!”
it’s more like,
“Today, this is enough.”
Even so, I am moving forward.
And that makes me incredibly happy.
It feels meaningful — more than I expected.
The piece I’m currently working on is Futanari Sento, which I’d been developing before.
Once it’s a bit more polished, I’d like to resume updates.
■ I Did Shimowatari
On a quiet morning after the snow settled, I went out to the rice fields.
When the temperature drops sharply overnight, the surface freezes, and you can walk across the snow endlessly — a phenomenon called “shimowatari.”
Step, step — the sound of walking across a completely white field is surprisingly fun.
There were footprints left by someone who had gone before me.
Even in a pure white expanse, you can feel signs of life.
There were many moments this winter when I thought,
“Please, no more snow…”
But at the end, it still shows you something beautiful.
Snow country is unfair like that.
By the way, this only happens on clear days after a sharp nighttime drop in temperature.
You absolutely need sunglasses or your eyes will burn.
Mine did.
For a moment, everything looked pearlescent and surreal (not recommended).
If you ever walk across a bright snowfield on a clear day —
wear sunglasses.
■ From Here On
In my previous post, I wrote that I wanted to “reorganize my life for the future.”
That’s still quietly progressing beneath the surface.
After experiencing the weight of the snow, the cold, and the constant decision-making,
my idea of “how I want to live” has become much more concrete.
Right now, I’m moving forward with four principles:
Don’t push myself.
But don’t stop.
Lighten my living environment.
Keep drawing.
Before spring arrives, I’d like to refine things one step further.
Slowly, but steadily.
Thank you, as always, for watching over me.
That’s all for now.
Talk to you again soon.
Aimaitei Umami