What is it that connects our mind and body and brings us peace? Good food, a healthy lifestyle, time with loved ones... Everyone has their own way of achieving balance. Various women will share their thoughts on how to deal with their mind and body through their own lives and careers. In the third installment, we will introduce two women who are similar in their ways and run their own businesses.

Etsuko Kanegae's Instagram can be found here

- You two are both active business owners, but you've known each other for a long time. When did you first meet?

Aiyumi: It was about six years ago. We were introduced by a mutual acquaintance when I left my previous company. The first time we met was at Tokyo Tower (laughs).

Etsuko: That's right! At the time, she was serving as an honorary tourism ambassador for Tokyo Tower and was working inside the tower as a radio personality, so that's where we met (laughs). At the time, she brought a proposal for a fashion show to be held in the Philippines and explained it to me enthusiastically, which left a strong impression on me. She was full of energy and I thought it was amazing.

Aiyumi: That's embarrassing... (laughs). I was in my early twenties at the time, but what were you doing at that age, Etchan?

Etsuko: I was 24 when I competed in the Miss International World Championships. After that, I suffered from burnout and was wondering what to do next. Having achieved my goal and wondering what to do next, I thought I could share what I had learned from my experience standing on the world stage. For example, at the time I was providing training to help job-hunting students, who tend to be mentally unstable, to boost their motivation. The training included visual training such as walking style and posture, which influences the impression people make, as well as internal training such as communication and expression to convey who you are. The mind and body are connected, so correcting your posture can clear your mind and help you break out of a spiral of negative thinking.

Ayumi: Your experience as an actor and model is the foundation of your current career. Why did you decide to start your own company after that?

Etsuko: There was no place where I could learn all the skills that are useful when you enter society, like how to walk, how to give a speech, or how to hone your interpersonal skills, which you don't learn in school, so I thought this was what I could do. In the past, there weren't as many sole proprietors as there are now, so I thought that incorporating would give me more credibility in doing business with large companies, so I incorporated my company. I think that was when I was 31. In my 20s, I often had worries, frustrations, and struggles, but once I entered my 30s, I felt like I started to feel more comfortable.

Ayumi: I'll soon be in my 30s, and those words are very encouraging!

Etsuko: In my 20s, I felt like I was always adding things. I had to build up a network, do this job, acquire skills, and do everything I could. But in my 30s, I started to understand what I liked and what I was good at, and just before turning 40, I gradually started to be able to subtract. Even if I subtract my work and achievements from myself, I was able to accept that I am unique and inimitable.

Aiyumi: I think having just one person like this nearby when you're young can make a big difference in your outlook on life. I met Ecchan in Ebisu when I had just started my business, and I came to her for advice because neither my business nor my NPO activities were going as well as I had hoped. At the time, Ecchan was working while also pursuing an MBA in graduate school, and I learned from her that "there are difficult times at each stage, but instead of comparing yourself to others, you should push beyond your own limits."

Etsuko: It brings back memories! Aiyumi is always absorbing all sorts of things in a positive way, she's so wonderful! Even though she struggles, she honestly expresses herself and moves forward step by step. I think everyone follows Aiyumi because she has an unwavering core and incredible love.

- I'm sure what I've just told you is only a small part of it, but it seems like you've overcome a lot of challenges. Are there any moments when you feel your mind filled with energy and you're able to face those challenges?

Aiyu: Taking a walk in the sunlight! I love walking. I can easily walk 10,000 steps a day. While I'm walking, I think about my work, my current mental state, and if I'm feeling negative, the reasons for that, and it helps me to face my mind and body.

Etsuko: I know! I love walking too. When I go to new places, I can encounter beautiful scenery I've never seen before, so I like traveling. Of course, there are plenty of beautiful scenery in our daily lives, so I try to make time to notice those moments. For example, clouds reflected on a building, or a sunset that changes color every day. When I discover something that I truly consider "beautiful," my mind and body are fulfilled. Discovering beautiful things in everyday life might be my special skill. (laughs)

- You two really are similar in some ways! You said earlier that you try to "have some leeway," but I think that in order to do that, you need to take good care of yourself. Please tell us about the "way you face and love yourself" that you incorporate into your daily life.

Etsuko: First of all, I have to face my mental state. I try to find out why I'm irritated and where the vague feeling comes from. It's a tough job, but by having this conversation with myself, I can treat myself kindly. To take care of my body, I burn my favorite incense and warm my ankles. And, because of my job, I pay particular attention to the way I walk and my posture.

Aiyu: I value spending time alone and in peace, so I always warm myself up by soaking in the bathtub. When I turn off the lights in the bathroom and light a candle, any worries I have disappear and I feel lighter.

- No matter how careful you are on a daily basis, your mind and body tend to be out of balance during your period. Have you ever had the bitter experience of thinking, "Oh no!"?

Etsuko: I don't really like using pads because they get stuffy, so I started using menstrual cups about four years ago when they first became popular in Japan, but I once had a problem changing the cup while I was out (laughs). So now I use both the cup and absorbent underwear.

Aiyumi: My period suddenly started on the first day of the pop-up, and since I was standing alone at the counter, I couldn't even go to the bathroom, which put me in a bit of a pinch...! I didn't have any napkins with me, so I panicked. At the time, I bought some absorbent shorts that were on sale at the department store where the pop-up was being held, and I was fine, but I was constantly worried about leaking, so I couldn't concentrate on serving customers.

Etsuko: Sometimes your menstrual cycle gets out of whack and you're like, "What, now...?" It's so hard when it happens suddenly.

Ayumi: Are there any changes in your mind or body before your period?

Etsuko: I suddenly get irritable before my period. (laughs) For some reason, I notice it when I'm walking. When I get irritated by things that don't usually bother me, like "The person in front of me is walking slowly," it's usually a sign that my period is coming on.

Aiyumi: Even Etchan gets irritated...! I eat more sweets than usual. If I hold back, I get even more irritated, so I give in and eat (laughs).

Etsuko: Understanding the changes in your body and emotions during your period is proof that you are accepting yourself. Even if you feel irritated, it's important to think, "It's just my period, so it can't be helped."

- Menstruation is often accompanied by anxiety and irritation, but what did you think of using Angelite ?

Etsuko: My body feels heavy during my period, so I want to wear as light clothing as possible, and I found Angelite to be so light that I barely even felt I was wearing it. The lace around the waist is soft and doesn't dig into my body, so it gives me a sense of freedom and comfort even during my period when I tend to get bloated.

Aiyu: Angelite really doesn't leak, so it's great for situations like when I'm standing at the counter like I did in the previous story. I'd also recommend it to women who do a lot of standing work or have a lot of meetings. I also recommend wearing Angelite at night, especially on heavy periods. Until now, the first thing I did when I woke up during my period was check for leaks, but since I discovered Angelite , I haven't had a single leak, and as a result, I don't have to soil my sheets, so I can sleep soundly at night and wake up feeling refreshed.

- Thank you for sharing your wonderful story with us today! You two are already active in various fields, but could you tell us what you would like to achieve in the future and what you would like to achieve?

Etsuko: Times are changing, so I want to be someone who can keep changing with them. I think people become boring if they don't change. To that end, I think it's important for me to keep on moving, to be exposed to different values, to visit places I've never been before, and to give back to as many people as possible the new essence I absorb through these experiences. This year, I went to Amalfi in Italy alone with just a backpack, but on the way there, the train I was supposed to take stopped, and it was a complete disaster...I ended up crouching down at the station. (laughs) You face these kinds of troubles when you travel, but it's in situations where your career or achievements have nothing to do with it that you can return to your original intentions even as you get older. I think valuing yourself as someone you are leads to embracing change.

Aiyumi: My goal is to steadily expand my current business while keeping my feet on the ground. I want to strike a balance between the cycle of company and non-profit activities. I believe that the cycle of both axes will be a ray of light for the future, so my current mission is to make that a reality. Another thing is that when younger people take on new challenges, I want to be someone who can say, "Let's work hard together." I am who I am today because I have been taught and protected by older women who are ahead of me, just like Ecchan was to me.

Item Introduction

Items to use during menstruation and when your body is changing

Etsuko – Favorite incense

Incense from Zenbo Seikei, a retreat facility on Awaji Island. I use it in a room with dim lighting. I use it not only during my period but also on a daily basis, choosing the scent that best suits my mood at the time.

Aiyumi – Bath salts Bath salts are essential. I use the familiar Bub daily. I also use Clayd, which leaves my whole body glowing, on days when I'm particularly tired or want to relax. My body gets cold during my period, so I really feel the importance of warming it up.

Your favorite everyday clothes, fashion you'd like to enjoy without worrying about leaks or other worries even during your period

Etsuko: I'm wearing Angelite so I don't have to worry about leaks. I feel lighter than I do during my regular period, so I've incorporated pink into my routine to wear brighter clothes and lift my spirits even more.

Ayumi: This is a white dress I made at "coxco Lab" in the Philippines recently. Wearing Angelite prevents menstrual leakage, so I can wear white clothes without hesitation!