I Will Not Be "Too Busy" Again

How a creative escape helped me reimagine work-life balance

Interesting angles abound in the atrium at Maebashi’s Shiroiya Hotel, where guests are immersed in art from the moment they arrive.

There’s a lot to be said for a good nap when you need to refresh yourself, but when that’s not an option, don’t overlook the power of the five senses. There may be no better way to get grounded in your body and calm your nervous system than to just savor the immediate moment through a simple sound, taste, smell, sight, or physical sensation.

Even though I was in the middle of a workweek, this is how I found myself quickly slipping into relaxation mode when I recently arrived at the Shiroiya Hotel in Maebashi, Gunma, for a mini-workation.

It started with a steamy cup of herbal tea blended with hojicha that I received as a welcome refreshment on a chilly spring day. I put down my cellphone intentionally and committed the image to my mind, not my camera. This moment was just for me.

Holding the cup with both hands to warm myself up, I inhaled its fragrance slowly, just enjoying the deliciousness of it and letting the steam bathe my cheeks and eyelids. Gradually, I took small sips to notice the unique flavor. I followed the heat from my lips to my throat to my belly, letting it melt me into a soft leather sofa in the lobby, where one of Hiroshi Sugimoto’s mesmerizing Seascapes images greets visitors from behind the front desk.

Only a few minutes had passed, but I was already feeling a shift. At least one layer of stress had dissolved.

After that, I felt free to take photos. Inspired, even.

Famed architect Sou Fujimoto led the transformation of the hotel – whose heritage goes back to the 19th century – including a dramatic renovation of the original tower. The entire atrium is a fascinating, open space where twisting staircases and concrete beams intersect with artist Leandro Erlich’s bended tubes of light that shift from soft white into moody colors at night. In the morning, sunshine peeks through the windows and cascades down a large, waterfall-inspired artwork on one wall. There are lots of plants and stylish seating areas and an open kitchen. It’s an atmosphere that feels alive, constantly shifting based on occasion and time of day, whether meditative breakfast, bright midday coffee and work-from-sofa, or convivial happy hour spread.

I told myself a few years ago that I was done with the corporate world. Done with office politics and other people’s dramas. Done with wearing busyness like a badge of honor, as if I had a choice. Done with back-to-back meetings, “sad desk lunches”, long hours, and crowded commutes to an imposing office tower whose sunset Fuji-san views eventually felt as mundane as the gray carpet and fluorescent lighting.

Well, it took a long sabbatical full of offline adventures to clear my system of all that. I dove deep into studying sound healing and meditation. I traveled around Asia, hung out with friends, explored new neighborhoods in Tokyo, journaled, and daydreamed. For the first time in ages, I considered new possibilities for myself.

Eventually, I took a deep breath and jumped back into the workforce for practical reasons as well as genuine intrigue. But I decided to do it differently, and it really helps that I can work remotely. If it can sometimes be from a place like the Shiroiya Hotel, all the better.

This time around, I’m putting a lot more mindfulness into my job, not just to get things done, but also to protect my own energy. That means managing my calendar more closely, not letting the hours slip away, and paying attention to my stress levels. Also, I experiment with my routine a lot more.

I may have a long to-do list, but I won’t become that “too busy” person again. I. Will. Not.

Well, that’s what I tell myself when life starts to feel unbalanced and deadlines creep up. At those times, when there’s just a mountain of work standing between me and anything resembling a vacation, the only sensible response is to Frankenstein that whole situation into a workation, stat.

Besides, it actually takes effort to plan a real vacation and then carve out the time to do it. But in the short term, a short trip somehow creates the conditions for doing more focused work while also building in better rewards, like a memorable change of scenery, special food, the promise of quirky discoveries, and a good night’s sleep.

An adorable dorayaki specialist. These mini pancake sandwiches are traditionally filled with sweet red bean paste.

I snuck away for an afternoon snack and got the sakura-cream dorayaki, a limited edition for cherry blossom season.

I visited the Shiroiya Hotel for exactly this reason. Its proximity to Tokyo by regular express train was a bonus (and an incentive to go back again).

In fact, I didn’t know much about the surrounding area beforehand, but the idea of staying in a unique place that bills itself as an “immersive artwork” sounded so appealing. If there was anywhere that would soothe my nerves and boost my creative spark, maybe this was it.

Getting out of your head and bringing your attention to your physical senses in the moment is so stress relieving, as I mentioned earlier. I kept thinking about that throughout my stay at the Shiroiya Hotel because there were so many smells and flavors, sounds and sights that pulled me into the here and now after that initial sip of tea – a few bites of buttery miso-tinged financier (the in-room “welcome” treat), an herbal mist sauna session that bathed my whole being in therapeutic aromas, and interesting art at every turn, even next to my bed.

The promise of an excellent meal at The Restaurant at the Shiroiya Hotel was a big reason for my visit, basically a serious incentive for me to get work out of the way so I could just enjoy the evening. It was so worth it.

Chef Hiro Katayama and his team crafted a beautiful experience that kept me captivated with every bite. Matched with different wines for each course, the luxurious preparations merged classic French technique with the local flavors of Gunma, including an elevated version of okirikomi, a local specialty reinterpreted as edible art. Here, instead of a chunky stew, it was a sculptural white rose made of paper-thin slices of daikon radish perched on creamy udon puree, drenched with a ruby-hued soup and bright-green scallion oil. The delicate roasted river fish was also memorable, fused with a golden layer of bread that was toasted to a buttery crispness.

Between that meal and the fantastic onsite bakery to give me sustenance, I might have been content just to lounge in the hotel for the whole trip. But the surrounding town of Maebashi was too charming to miss, starting with the nearby shopping arcade dotted with Showa Retro storefronts. Certainly the hotel is also a magnet that has drawn more visitors to the nearby Arts Maebashi museum and other galleries, cafes, and boutiques. Just a few blocks away, a massive sculpture by Taro Okamoto, Bell of the Sun, creates a stunning scene alongside a flowing river canal lined with lazily swaying willow trees. And a stroll down the river takes you to Rinkokaku, a refined historical property that has served as a resort residence for generations of emperors. You can freely explore the spacious tatami rooms and let your mind wander before heading out into the sprawling garden

It was all a satisfying change of pace that left me craving more. One of the local shopkeepers told me that Maebashi is big with Tokyo creatives who love the slower pace, quality of life, and easy access to the metropolis. That much is evident from the art-world goings-on, including the debut of the Maebashi Biennale, a multifaceted art festival happening this fall, from September 19 to December 20.

I left Maebashi with many more to-dos on my list, including cocktails at the Shiroiya Hotel’s Bar Matcha-tei. The contemporary space, designed by Hiroshi Sugimoto and architect Tomoyuki Sakakida, connects to a traditional tea room. It sounds like my kind of place.

Next time, I’ll leave the work at home.