One Year in Japan: A Leap of Faith, Tears, and Triumphs

One Year in Japan: A Leap of Faith, Tears, and Triumphs

Exactly one year ago today, I packed my bags, said my tearful goodbyes, and left Zimbabwe for Japan. When I tell you I cried that morning—oh, I cried. Not the cute, single-tear-down-the-cheek kind of cry. No. I’m talking full-on, “am I making a mistake?” ugly crying.

You see, I had never traveled alone before. Heck, I had never even stepped out of my comfort zone to this degree. And here I was, about to move to a country where I didn’t speak the language, where the culture was completely different, and where, let’s be honest, I was not mentally prepared for the cold. When I landed, Japan welcomed me with snowflakes and temperatures that felt like they were personally offended by my existence. I should’ve known things would be tough.

And they were.

For the first two months, I struggled. I would go to work, put on a brave face, and then go home and cry myself to sleep. The culture shock was overwhelming. The language barrier made the simplest tasks feel like a puzzle I hadn’t studied for. And the food? Let’s just say my stomach was confused. But more than anything, I missed my man. Long-distance relationships are no joke, and being apart from him made everything harder.

I won’t dwell too much on the negatives, though, because, despite the rough start, this year turned out to be one of the most transformative of my life.

Somewhere between feeling lost and homesick, I found something unexpected—myself. Being alone forced me to grow in ways I never imagined. Instead of wallowing, I got proactive. I launched my Faith Warblers Instagram page, where I started sharing prayers, Bible verses, and reflections on my journey. And guess what? It wasn’t just helping me; it was reaching and uplifting other women too. That inspired me to create the Faith Warblers Sisterhood, a WhatsApp group where women support each other through prayer, encouragement, and Bible study. What started as my personal coping mechanism became a community of faith and empowerment.

And speaking of growth, my content creation game elevated big time! I officially started my Wander and Weave blog, sharing my love for fashion, creativity, and storytelling. I even got featured in my company’s magazine, writing about Japan’s tea culture! Who would’ve thought that the girl who once doubted her decision to move would end up published? Look at God!

Oh, and the best part? My man is in Japan now. No more long-distance stress—just us, building our dreams together in a foreign land.

Now, if you’re thinking of taking that leap of faith—whether it’s moving to another country, chasing a new career, or starting fresh—let me tell you this: You’ve got this! But be prepared. It’s not just about packing your bags and hopping on a plane. It’s about preparing your mind, your heart, and your resilience.

There will be moments of doubt. There will be days you question everything. But on the other side of fear is growth. A year ago, I was terrified. Today, I stand stronger, wiser, and more grateful than ever.

I made it through my first year in Japan. I did it.

And if I can do it, so can you.