Part 8/9:
Illustrating this tension, the author shares a recent personal experience of quitting their job, feeling a sense of dread over the potential inconvenience their departure would cause for their project team, even when they ultimately received mild and supportive responses. This experience reinforces the notion that the fear we internalize regarding others' opinions often carries more weight than reality suggests.
The essential lesson here—a common theme among johatsu accounts—is that relationships with those who truly care tend to withstand conflict. Instead of retreating into the shadows, confronting the complexity of one’s reality might lead to a more fruitful resolution than anticipated.