Finding Yoyu is more than a self-help guide; it explores the seven aspects of Yoyu. Through engaging stories and practical exercises, you guide readers on a journey to reclaim balance and abundance. Why was this an important book for you to write?

Writing Finding Yoyu was both a personal necessity and a calling. When I first started, I thought I was simply telling the story of how I became my father-in-law’s caregiver while also supporting my husband through cancer treatment. But as I wrote, I realized the real story was about how I navigated those challenges without losing myself. I wanted to share the concept of yoyu because it became my compass, helping me create space—emotionally, mentally, and physically—when life felt overwhelming. I knew that if yoyu could help me, it could help others, too. So many of us, especially caregivers and busy professionals, feel stretched too thin. I wanted this book to be a conversation, a companion, and a guide to help readers recognize their own reserves and find more yoyu in their lives.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

One of the key ideas I wanted to share is that yoyu isn’t about having unlimited resources—it’s about recognizing, cultivating, and replenishing the reserves you do have. It’s easy to think that balance and abundance are things we either have or don’t, but I’ve learned that they ebb and flow.

I also wanted to emphasize that small shifts make a big difference. We often think we need a huge lifestyle change to feel more at ease, but even micro-moments—like taking five seconds to breathe or stepping outside for fresh air—can restore a sense of yoyu.

Finally, I wanted to highlight the power of choice. In Finding Yoyu, I share how choosing to shift my perspective on financial abundance, for example, helped me move from feeling constrained to recognizing the wealth of non-monetary resources available to me. I hope readers walk away feeling empowered to make similar shifts in their own lives.

However, most importantly, I wanted readers to understand that yoyu isn’t some secret tool or an ancient hidden concept. It’s a normal, everyday word used by Japanese people in daily life, whether they’re conscious of it or not. By bringing awareness to this concept, we can start recognizing and cultivating yoyu in our own lives with more intention.

What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?

Many readers have told me that they hadn’t realized how much yoyu—or the lack of it—was influencing their daily lives until they read the book. They’ll say, “I didn’t know there was a word for this!” or “Now I see how much I talk about yoyu without realizing it.” It surprises me how quickly people start incorporating yoyu into their vocabulary and self-awareness.

Another unexpected response has been how much the stories about my father-in-law and husband resonate with people who aren’t caregivers. I initially thought the book would primarily speak to those in caregiving roles, but readers from all walks of life have connected with the lessons in different ways—whether it’s about setting boundaries, creating space for themselves, or simply recognizing when they need a break.

What has also surprised me is how many Japanese readers have said they were unaware of how important yoyu is until they found the book. Even though they use the word frequently in daily life, it hadn’t occurred to them just how significant the concept is. Now, they tell me that the word jumps out at them whenever they hear it used casually in conversation, making them more mindful of their own reserves and balance.

What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Finding Yoyu?

I hope readers walk away with a deeper awareness of their own yoyu and the permission to prioritize it. Too often, we push ourselves to the brink before recognizing we need rest, support, or a shift in perspective. I want Finding Yoyu to serve as a gentle reminder that taking care of ourselves isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

Ultimately, I want people to feel encouraged that even in overwhelming times, they have more power than they realize to create space, cultivate abundance, and navigate life with greater ease. Yoyu isn’t about achieving a perfect balance; it’s about learning to flow with the natural rhythms of life and knowing that there are always ways to restore and replenish ourselves.

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