Summary of the Core Content
This article discusses how Japanese author Obara Hataru has achieved a low-stress lifestyle of working two days and resting five by releasing himself from societal norms, reducing desires, and cutting out unnecessary burdens. His central argument is that much anxiety and stress stem from our adherence to what others consider essential actions—such as attending university, pursuing a full-time job, using smartphones, or living in the city center. By freeing ourselves from these constraints and focusing on basic needs, we can live more freely and comfortably.
Detailed Analysis
1. Letting Go: Starting with Getting Rid of Your Phone
After graduating from high school, Obara realized that his phone was of little use; no one contacted him frequently, and he had to pay a monthly fee for it. He simply canceled the contract, and to his surprise, life became much easier without it. The people who used to disturb him disappeared on their own.
He described the phone as a constant source of trouble: people would call him in the middle of the night without warning, and even when turned off, he still had to pay the monthly fee. Without the phone, he felt mentally more at ease, free from unnecessary social interactions and interruptions. This act was a rejection of the societal norm that everyone needs a phone; it’s possible to live without one.
2. A Life with Fewer Desires: Spending the Least Amount to Live Comfortably
After moving to Tokyo, Obara rented a small room in the city center for 70,000 yen (about 3,500 RMB), but he was so busy working that he often didn’t have time to eat. Later, he found an apartment in the more affordable Tama area for 28,000 yen (about 1,400 RMB) and moved there immediately.
His philosophy is simple: as long as you have enough food and shelter, there’s no need to work excessively. He works two days a week and uses the remaining five days to do what he wants—read, cook, or listen to music. He believes there’s no point in working overtime just to buy luxury goods or live in a fancy apartment; by reducing his desires, money has become a tool for freedom, not a source of stress.
3. Rejecting the Myth of “Working Hard Is Glorious”
While working at a convenience store in Tokyo, Obara encountered a peculiar manager who demanded that employees skip meals and boasted about commuting for two hours and suffering from lack of sleep, even falling onto the tracks. Obara saw this as foolish; working oneself into exhaustion offers no quality of life or meaning.
He opposes the societal notion that being a workaholic is admirable, arguing that “Tokyo equates ‘hard work’ with ‘forcing yourself to suffer.’” He believes that working excessively at the expense of health and happiness is meaningless, even if it leads to financial success.
4. I Control My Own Life: Not Being Controlled by Others’ Expectations
After graduating from high school, Obara chose not to attend university or pursue a full-time job. Instead, he traveled and moved to the suburbs. His choices deviated from the traditional path of “graduating, getting a stable job, marrying, and starting a family.” When others asked him if he would always live this way, he thought, “Do you think I have to follow your expectations?” He believes we should make our own life choices, and even if they don’t turn out well, no one else is to blame. This sense of freedom from external pressure is more enjoyable than following others’ advice. He says, “If you just do what others tell you and mess up your life, who’s responsible?”
5. Living in a “Cocoon Home” Is Not逃避—It’s a Cleansing Process
After graduating, Obara stayed at home for three years, not out of world-weariness but to clarify his priorities. He saw this period as a “cleaning” of his life, removing unnecessary social connections, possessions, and anxieties about the future, leaving only what he truly valued.
This experience taught him that life is not something given to us; we must choose it ourselves. It also gave him the courage to face anything, knowing he had nothing to lose. He believes that making this “cleaning” earlier would have been even easier than being bound by societal norms later on.
Conclusion
Obara’s lifestyle may not suit everyone, but his core message is worth considering: much of our stress comes from imposing it on ourselves. By cutting out unnecessary burdens—like buying the latest phone or living in the city center—we can live more freely. The key is to understand what we truly need and avoid creating unnecessary pressures.