The Connection I Found Between “Attraction” and Furoshiki
There have been many times in my life when I thought, “That’s strange,” or “Maybe this is what people call attraction.”
Those experiences gave me realizations, which I’ve tried to bring into my daily life and practice in my own way.
My Life in the Corporate World
Three years ago, I had a secure corporate sales job, a typical 9 to 5. I enjoyed much of the work itself and often found it rewarding. But when it came to relationships at work, I struggled. My boss and I didn’t get along, and that created a constant sense of tension.
I often found myself venting with coworkers, and nights out would end up full of complaints. During the week I carried that frustration with me, and on weekends I would go hiking or travel just to refresh myself. Looking back, even the way I spent money was mostly for stress relief, which only made me feel more drained over time.
After a while, I began to feel, “Something isn’t right.” I realized the problem wasn’t just my job or the environment. A big part of it was also in how I was thinking.
Training My “Thinking Sensor”
That’s when I started reading more. Psychology, self-development, even books that touched on spiritual ideas. Not everything resonated with me, but little by little I began to adopt perspectives that made my heart feel lighter.
What I realized is that your “thinking sensor” can be trained. By paying attention to what you look at, what you feel, and how you interpret things, the way you receive events changes—sometimes in surprising ways. And over time, those small shifts in perception began to influence what happened to me and who I met.
Coincidences That Felt Like Attraction
When I was a student traveling in Barcelona, I suddenly thought of a friend from my study abroad days in the UK. That same day, I ran into him in the city. At the time there were no smartphones or social media, so there was no way to stay in touch. It was such a strange experience. We met again later for dinner, shared memories, and it became unforgettable for me.
It wasn’t just Barcelona. Similar things happened in Hong Kong and Hawaii. I’d think, “I wonder how that person is doing,” and suddenly meet them. Sometimes it happened in Japan too—like writing someone’s address for a New Year’s card and then running into them on the street.
You could call it coincidence, but when it happens over and over, it feels like more than that. Psychology has a word for this—“synchronicity.” But for me, it felt exactly like “attraction.”
When Thinking Changes, Reality Changes
Back when I was focused on complaints and frustrations, every day felt heavy. But when I began practicing gratitude and applying ideas I learned from books, my mood lightened. I noticed that even the people I met began to change.
Not only work but also my relationships with my family improved.
I’ve come to believe that creating your reality isn’t about something dramatic. It’s about the small choices you make, every single day.
Furoshiki and Attraction
Eventually, I left the company and decided to create and sell my own original furoshiki, made with traditional hand-dyeing methods.
When you open a furoshiki, wrap something, or choose a design, each action naturally carries feelings of thoughtfulness and care. Using furoshiki has become a daily habit of gratitude for me. Taking the time to wrap something with care calms me and helps me reset myself.
When I use it as a reusable shopping bag, I find myself choosing what to buy more carefully. Since I began working with furoshiki, I’ve naturally started choosing things—and even relationships—that suit me better.
And strangely, I’ve noticed the same shift with money. When I spend with gratitude, work tends to come in that matches what went out. Perhaps it’s because my way of thinking has become more balanced that I notice these things more clearly. When such experiences keep happening, it feels far from coincidence. It may only make sense to those who have experienced it themselves.
What I Want to Share Now
I went through mismatched relationships at work and days when I leaned too much on complaints. Those experiences are what led me to the life I have now. What I learned is simple: changing how you think changes how you see life.
If you feel like every day is repetitive and dull, I’d encourage you to shift your perspective just a little. Try speaking words of gratitude instead of complaints. Try adding a small habit that helps you center yourself.
For me, one of those habits became using furoshiki. Each time I use one, I’m reminded of gratitude and kindness. And I believe it’s these small steps that bring about the mysterious attraction I’ve experienced in my life.
A Question for You
Have you recently experienced something that felt like “a coincidence, but maybe more”?
If so, what kind of attraction was it? Take a moment to think back.