Let Go and Live Lightly

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Essayist Yuko Hirose vol.1
Compact and Spacious: The Ideal Home for Healing the Heart


“LESS IS MORE.” What is abundance?
These are the kinds of questions that essayist Yuko Hirose’s simple lifestyle seems to ask us.
Now in her late 50s, she moved from Kagawa to Tokyo and settled in the eastern part of the city, an area she hadn’t been familiar with before.
As we take a glimpse into her life there, we’ll hear her thoughts on the emotional impact of letting go of material things.

Photo : Kohei Yamamoto
Text : Kyoko Kato
Edit : Ayumi Sakai

From 120㎡ to 45㎡: Letting go of things with a sense of experimentation

Upon entering the home, a pleasant sense of calm can be felt, as if a gentle breeze flows through. This is the residence where Hirose now lives alone in the heart of Tokyo. Despite its compact size, the open spaces create a sense of roominess, and the atmosphere has a soothing effect on those who visit.

About a year and a half ago, Hirose moved from Takamatsu, where she had lived for about six years, downsizing her home to one-third its original size. Despite the smaller space, she was able to bring all her furniture from her previous, more spacious home, where she had already embraced a simple lifestyle.
“I brought my sofa and bed. Even though the space was smaller, everything fit well, so I lived like that for a while. But when I got a bit unwell, I realized that as I get older, this setup wouldn’t allow for the flexibility I might need.”

Living in a space packed with furniture, moving around it felt restrictive. Hirose began to feel that less might be better. First, she let go of the sofa and replaced the dining table with a smaller one. Eventually, she also gave up her bed and two shelves. This was a decision made just before turning 60. She reflects that the passing of her mother and father, and the experience of closing down her family home, encouraged her to reduce her belongings.

After letting go of the furniture, Hirose spent about a month without a table. “It was due to the delivery schedule of the new table, but I realized it was surprisingly manageable. A table is necessary, but living with a futon and without a sofa has been comfortable so far. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a sofa, and as I get older, not having a bed might become difficult. My feelings might change, but for now, it’s a kind of ‘experiment.’ I’m just trying things out and experiencing what feels most comfortable.”

“Owning things” can be more of a burden

After letting go of the furniture, Hirose found that the same room, which once felt cramped, now felt “spacious and refreshing.” She also felt her mind lighten in proportion to the reduction in belongings. While many people feel stressed by the idea of letting go, she explains, “The burden of owning things is greater for me than the stress of letting go. I feel more pressure when I think, ‘there’s not enough space’ or ‘I have to manage all these things.’”

What feels more comfortable for me? What state makes me feel good? What do I really want to do?

Hirose asks herself these questions and stays true to her feelings. “After going through a divorce, I no longer have to adjust my lifestyle to someone else. Now, I prioritize making choices based on my own needs.” The result is a space for her with no ‘noise,’ and an organized, open area that reflects her preferences.

Only keep a few things you truly love and use them with care

Hirose has always liked clean, minimalist spaces, and carefully selecting items has been her long-time habit. By choosing things she truly loves, it also becomes easier to pass them on to someone else when the time comes. Instead of throwing things away, she always finds someone who will use them next.

From chairs to nail clippers, many of her belongings have been well-maintained or repaired by craftsmen, allowing her to use them for a long time. There is a sense of clarity everywhere in her home, as she only keeps a few things she truly loves and needs right now.

Organize your home to help your mind recover easily

Hirose appears to live with a strong sense of self, but she admits to feeling down and experiencing difficulties in life. That’s precisely why she values regularly reviewing her belongings and organizing her home to prevent her mental state from staying low. “Rather than trying to lift my spirits, I focus on being able to ‘restore’ them when I’m feeling down. That’s probably why I put so much effort into making my home comfortable. I think it’s my way of protecting myself.”

Our homes are where we spend most of our time. Hirose believes in flexibly removing anything that feels like noise or discomfort from that space. She values open space and maintaining a sense of roominess. In this way, she has created a home that feels like a retreat, a place where both her mind and body can recover.


< Is your bag also light? >
I’ve even stopped carrying a wallet
The bag she uses most often is a compact pouch.
And what’s inside? No wallet!
She carries just one credit card directly in the bag,
along with her smartphone, glasses, and a paper envelope for cash.
“I rarely use cash these days.
Once you decide not to carry a wallet, you really reduce your baggage.”
Only point cards that can be stored on her smartphone, and a small pack of wet tissues and an eco-bag in her pocket.
“Based on my own standards. Only what’s necessary. No noise.” Even the contents of her bag are thoroughly refined.
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