Yesterday my German landlady decided to turn the flatshare where I live into two separate appartments and I have to move out.
I lost my part time job, my professor doesn't like my recent work, my arm tendinitis is back and I'm still not sure if I'm in a long distance relationship with my boyfriend or if it's all over. Haha :D
Yes. This year is my Yakudoshi (厄年), I have just turned 32.
Yakudoshi is a so called "unlucky year" in one's life belief in Japan that first appeared in Heian Period, so about a thousand years ago. A pretty long standing belief :)
These "unlucky years" come several times throughout life, but happen at different ages for men (24, 41, 60) and for women (18, 32, 36). Moreover, the years before yakudoshi and after are also considered unlucky. Sort of a warm up for what is going to come :) The ages of 32 for women and 41 for men are considered to be the hardest, and people going through them should be careful, especially with their health.
Most Japanese usually visit a shrine and participate in a yakubarai (厄払い), a ritual to ward of unlucky spirits. A friend of mine told me that when she was turning 18, her grandma took a photograph of her to the shrine and performed the yakubarai ritual in proxy. The same friend hearing of all my recent misfortunes kindly sent me a yakuyoke (厄除け) lucky charm. So I'm hoping it's doing its job in protecting me and warding off unlucky spirits (like my German landlady maybe?).
Usually though it is considered to be a transition period, when our bodies and life under go necessary change.
So I hope all of these things that keep on happening these last two years are going to lead me to something better. Or at least, perhaps, a better and more affordable room, nicer part time job, healed arms, and a stronger relationship :D