G’day! Or as they say in Japan, konnichiwa!
My name is Debbie and I’m an Australian living in Japan with my family.
By joining me Behind Shoji Doors you will learn of
the reality of moving to a foreign country and starting at the bottom of the ladder;
the challenges of cramped, multi-generational living;
the joys of living in a rural village;
the frustrations of getting used to the Japanese educations system;
the beauty of the Japanese country;
the trials of caring for a loved-one with dementia;
the hand of God in the everyday;
and of course the laughable experiences that can only come from a foreigner trying to live in Japan!
Yes, life in Japan is beautiful and challenging, joyful and absolutely frustrating! You will get to read my best moments as I navigate life in Japan as a wife, a mum, and a carer for my mother in-law who has dementia, all the while being cramped with six of us into our house-built-for-two!
What you receive as a Free Subscriber:
Weekly posts about life in Japan, all in story form.
What you receive as a Paid Subscriber:
The weekly posts, as well as
A bundle-load of gratitude from me for your support for my writing.
At this point I’m not offering any extras to paid subscribers, you would be supporting my writing as is, and for that, I am truly humbled. However, if there is something additional you would like from Behind Shoji Doors that is not currently offered, please let me know! I’m open to ideas!
Free or paid, all subscribers are very welcome!
Let’s be honest
I started out writing more for myself than others. I’d moved across the world, was living in a foreign country with a completely different language and culture, every day was a new experience! Good and bad! And I’m a woman, I needed to get out my daily word count each day!
Writing down my experiences became very therapeutic for me. Holding things inside me left a burning fire that couldn’t be quenched! But sharing my experiences with family and friends filled me with joy and deep satisfaction. And thus my Substack was launched.
The more I shared, the more I came to realise that my stories bring joy and laughter to others, bring encouragement and hope, and at the least, provide a few minutes of entertainment in your day.
What people have been saying
“I've been a keen reader from the start and really enjoy hearing about 'life in Japan'.
Debbie, I love your honesty, your integrity and your authenticity. You share from your heart.”
Sharon - Australia
“I always enjoy seeing when Debbie has new work.”
Alice - Canada
“Debbie, I love reading about your life in Japan. I got this app (Substack) just soI could read your writing easier and not miss any!”
Jody - Australia
“Reading about your life in Japan is a high point in my day.”
Steve - Australia
What’s the name all about?
Shoji doors are a traditional style door used in Japan. Made from a wooden frame and paper, they don’t cut out light or sound but offer visual privacy. In my Substack, I slide open the shoji doors of my expat, Japanese life and let you in.
Would you like to take up the invitation and join me Behind Shoji Doors?
A.I Policy
A.I. can’t pack a suitcase, drag a family across the oceans, set up a new life in a foreign land, care for a mother in-law with dementia, or know what it’s like to not speak the local language.
A.I. doesn’t have a nationality, a culture, a mother-tongue or a family.
A.I. can’t write my words because A.I doesn’t live my life and feel my words.
A.I will never be used to write my words.
Many thanks to Lisa St Lou for the inspiration of this A.I. Policy.
