My wife and I recently embarked on a journey to Yokohama, Japan. This trip was not just about exploring new horizons but also a chance for us to contemplate our future in depth.

We have been considering leaving Beijing to find a new place to call home — a place where we can settle down for the long term.At present, Japan is emerging as an attractive option for us.

It’s human nature to romanticize the future, to bask in the glow of its potential. Yet, often, When the future draws near, it brings with it unforeseen challenges.

Before committing to a move, we’ve had to confront the potential difficulties of relocating to a new country. It has prompted us to question whether we are truly prepared to tackle the challenges that lie ahead and to examine the motivations behind our desire for change.

“My feeling is that I can lead a decent life here, even without lots of money” and “This place instills in me the confidence that, as long as I continue to work — even if not excessively hard — bread and milk will come,” are the sentiments expressed by friends who have recently made Japan their home. Like us, they are in search of a place to lay down roots.

As we age, the notion of moving on becomes daunting, weighed down by what is often referred to as “sunk costs.” Yet, in reality, we come into this world with nothing and leave it in much the same way. The ‘burden’ we feel is a self-imposed abstraction.

We are on a quest to find a locale that resonates with us as our true foundation from the very moment we set foot upon its land.