The morning in Tokyo feels somewhat humid.
A much larger station than my hometown's.
There are many more people and sounds.
Mei Tanabe, 22 years old.
It's only been three weeks since I became a working adult.
Just arriving at the company makes me feel like I've completed a task.
I got my boss's name wrong.
I broke an Excel formula.
I was told my voice is too quiet.
When I returned to my room, I stood in front of the ordinary sink for a while.
Suddenly, I noticed a cotton ball with yuzu essential oil on it.
A few days ago, a friend told me, "Scents linger like body temperature," and I remembered to buy it.
I opened the lid and gently brought it closer.
─ Just a little bit sour.
But sweet, refreshing, and with depth.
Just like the yuzu bath my mother used to make when she was tired.
In that scent, Mei closed her eyes.
I almost remembered my failures, but for some reason, I thought, "Well, it's okay."
In the morning, when I woke up earlier than the alarm, I dropped a drop of hinoki essential oil onto a wooden aroma stone.
This scent is crisp, quiet, and proper.
It feels like I'm getting closer to the "core" within me that is still unrefined.
I try saying "It's okay" to my reflection in the mirror.
The scent of hinoki encourages me.
When I opened the curtains, the light resembled spring just a little.
A scent for being myself, not to push myself to work harder or to rest.
This became Mei's habit for the night and morning.
"Organizing with scent" became a part of my daily breathing.
→ View the set of yuzu essential oil and hinoki essential oil
▼ New working adult, Mei Tanabe's "Kyoto Asanoha Storybook"
→ Sakura Shichimi and Charcoal Shichimi × New Working Adult | Sending memories of meals with scent for Mother's Day
→ Healing incense scented with ashitaba × Working Adult | On nights when I don't want to meet anyone, only the smoke is by my side