師走(SHIWASU)

December, let’s just stop everything and have a cup of tea!

It is the time just before the holiday season and the end of the year is approaching. Everywhere has the December atmosphere, busy, excitement, feeling rushed and a bit of exhaustion.

In Japan, December has an another name called SHIWASU (師走) which means literally teachers (or monks) run. This is because normally teachers or monks are always calm and never be in a rush, but even they have to run around the town in December. It describes busy time at the end of the year.

However, why don’t you just stop a moment and have a warm cup of tea? That makes you relaxed and helps to think straight especially in busy time.

December gives you an opportunity to look back yourself how the whole year has been, then start to think about new years resolutions.