[Public] July Update: A Fairly Big Change in My Life

A Life Update and a Fairly Big Change

Hi! I’m Umami Aimitei.

Thank you, as always, for supporting me and following my work.

Lately, I’ve been focusing on recovering my health while reassessing my living situation and preparing for a move.

I’ve been decluttering, and then decluttering the decluttered things—and somehow there is still more stuff to get rid of. The storage capacity of an old house is terrifying...

✦About My Health

I can do more than I could before, but my sleep and upper-abdominal symptoms are still inconsistent, and I’m not yet at the point where I can return to creating work on a stable basis.

Things get better, then slide back a little, then gradually improve again. I’m still slowly rebuilding. It is a little sad, honestly. But I intend to keep some hope.

✦I Found a New Place to Live

There has also been a fairly big change: I found a new home in an area with much less snow. I recently signed the contract, so it is now official.

Over the past few months, I’ve tried online apartment viewings and traveled to see places in person whenever my health allowed.

I cared quite a lot about both the view from the windows and the surrounding noise, so there were almost no properties that met my requirements...! And because I’m self-employed with an unstable income, the screening requirements narrowed the options even further.

I had heard the rumors, but apartment hunting in the greater Tokyo area really is a game of musical chairs. A room appears, and then it is gone. Far too fast...!

There were many new things to learn, which was interesting, but I also discovered that the longer apartment hunting continues, the more psychological pressure it creates. Just as I was beginning to think, “Please, I’ve had enough of this,” I finally managed to find a place.

There are many things I love about my current home and its surroundings, so I am genuinely sad to leave. Had my health allowed it, I would have liked to stay a little longer...

However, the winter cold, heavy snow, and dependence on driving all require a great deal of energy simply to live here. Rather than facing another winter in the same environment, I decided it would be better to first create a living situation where I can eventually draw manga again and continue making work.

Incidentally, I had been told that moving at any time outside the peak March–April season was more or less the same. But July was far too hot. Just walking around to view apartments was already quite difficult, so personally, I cannot recommend moving during the hottest part of the year.

And my actual move has not even happened yet—! It is going to be brutally hot.

I’m also arranging my new bed and bedding with the new home in mind. I’ve been thinking about how to use the rooms, planning furniture layouts, researching what I need, and generally doing all sorts of things on my own.

...Though I say “on my own,” I have actually been helped by the kindness of many people along the way. Everyone was extremely kind to me, a complete beginner at apartment hunting... I’m grateful.

✦What Comes Next

For a while, I will still be dealing with packing and various procedures. This will also be my first move in around twenty years, and there will inevitably be things I cannot know until I actually live in the new place.

So I do not expect everything to become completely A-OK 👍 immediately. What’s gonna happen to meee?!

Still, I am also excited about the new place and the new life ahead.

My first priority will be setting up my daily life and working environment. After that, I hope to gradually return to creating things without pushing myself too hard.

I may suddenly draw something or reopen my Skeb commissions. Who knows? Please say hello if and when that happens.

I am truly grateful to everyone who has continued to watch over me despite the lack of updates. Thank you...! Your support—both emotional and financial—has given me a great deal of strength. 🦾

It may still take me a little more time, but I will continue to post occasional updates.

See you around! o/