focus and clarity | Naoko Mikami

Japanese calligraphy reading “安定 / 停滞” (stability or stagnation) on a pink post-it note, with the handwritten caption “Stability or Stagnation?”

Quiet Quitting and Mental Health: When Boredom Becomes the Loudest Noise

Quiet quitting can protect your mental health — but can it also slowly erode your sense of meaning? A reflection on boredom, stability, and alignment.

Naoko Mikami

2 min read

Post-it calligraphy featuring the Japanese phrase “自分軸” (jibunjiku, meaning “one’s own axis”) with the handwritten English translation “choosing your own axis,” created by Japanese calligrapher Naoko Mikami.

When Someone Is Simply Better Than You

What happens when someone is simply better than you? A reflection on comparison, imposter syndrome, and mental clarity — and how choosing your own axis helps you denoise your life.

Naoko Mikami

4 min read