This post will take you about 5 minutes to read—perfect for a coffee break or a quick pause in your day.
For You If…
- You’re in your 50s and still ready to take a new step
- You feel a bit uneasy about joining or trying something alone
- You’re exploring your own path through blogging or side hustles
- You want to feel your heart moved by new connections again
Prologue: A Middle-Aged Man in Another World
A man in his 50s goes to a festival.（https//libefes.com/）
…And no, it’s not some deafening, youth-packed music fest.
It felt more like I’d been summoned into another world—an isekai—for middle-aged men.
This was the “RibeCity” Fest, a community I’ve been part of for a while.
Held at Makuhari Messe, the theme was all about money:
household budgeting, insurance reviews, investing, side hustles, real estate… you name it.
A buffet of financial knowledge packed into one event.
It was a three-day, two-night affair.
Accommodation? Nope. I went with the unthinkable choice—sleeping in my car.
At this age, car camping is brutal. My back… oh, my poor back… screaming in protest.
I hesitated for a long time before deciding.
“Me? A middle-aged guy at a festival? Kinda embarrassing…”
But with some encouragement from our community leader (“It won’t kill you—probably”),
I took the plunge.
And so, with equal parts embarrassment and anticipation, I set off for Makuhari Messe.
Day 1: Intimidated by the Crowd & Rediscovering Humanity as a Volunteer
The first thing I saw at the venue entrance? A massive line.
I froze.
No, seriously—I froze.
For a moment I thought, “Maybe I should just go home…”
But the people in line looked so alive, so energized, that their enthusiasm started to rub off on me.
My main mission that day was a three-hour volunteer gig: venue patrol.
At first, I was so nervous that my eyes stayed glued to the ceiling and floor.
But the people I met were incredibly warm and welcoming.
Some had quit their jobs to live freely, others were crafting lives with no strings attached…
I realized, I’m still clinging to my company, and felt a pang of frustration—
but also a huge burst of inspiration.
While patrolling, I ran into the community leader himself.
“The real deal! There he is!”
That alone made my ticket worth it.
I even managed a commemorative photo with my fellow volunteers (faces hidden, of course)
and scored a T-shirt and plushie.
Didn’t explore much beyond the business card booth that day,
but volunteering was the real treasure.
Oh, and I finally got to try the legendary hot dog I’d been curious about.
Also ended up buying Muscle Coffee from the “Muscle Guy” vendor—
his sheer energy and biceps left me defenseless. Respect.
Day 2: Lost in Blog Troubles
By day two, the combination of car sleeping and bad weather had worn me down.
Still, I pushed myself to the venue. The crowd was as big as day one, but I was a little less tense.
…Yet, the socially awkward, 50-something me was still very much alone.
This day was all about visiting the official blogging booth.
I wrote my troubles on a card:
“I started blogging as a 50-something challenge, aiming at my fellow ‘Dankai Junior’ generation.
I wrote about running, daily reflections, and life with my Shiba Inu.
Then I tried Yahoo! Japan trend articles, but lost my direction.
After multiple rejections from Google AdSense, I gave up and switched to A8.net.
Now I mostly write product-focused posts and no longer know what I truly want to write.
I also write English versions for overseas readers… but I’m not sure if I’m on the right path.”
The advisor’s response was a sharp but simple question:
“What are you good at?”
…Nothing.
Well, maybe drinking beer and zoning out (not helpful).
The advice:
- Keep the personal blog,
- Create a separate, specialized blog (ideally tied to your work),
- Decide on a goal and make a “startup list,”
- And build the English blog on a separate site.
Made sense.
That night, I grabbed curry in the rain, soaked in a hot spring,
and prepared for yet another night of car camping.
The middle-aged youth saga continued.
Day 3: A Miracle Connection
Final day.
“Will I actually talk to anyone today…?” I wondered.
Then—it happened.
A man my age from Asahikawa, Hokkaido, sitting next to me at the official stage,
started talking to me.
Turns out, the whole row was full of people my age.
Suddenly, my social circle exploded.
I was given candy, got follow-backs on social media…
My 50-year-old heart was warm.
In the afternoon, I had a writing consultation booked.
Trouble is, I didn’t even know the basics of writing structure,
so I ended up confusing the poor advisor.
I could hear what she was saying, but my 50-year-old brain lagged behind.
Still—don’t underestimate a 50-year-old brain.
It’s no joke, just like Amuro’s famous “Gundam is no joke!” line.
This experience will come in handy… someday.
Later, while waiting in line for another blog consultation,
a woman struck up a conversation.
The goddess descends.
I kept a straight face, but inside, I was in tears of gratitude.
A man soon joined us, and the three of us dove deep into blog talk.
This—this—was the connection I had hoped for.
We then teamed up for the big networking event.
It felt like venturing into a massive dungeon as a party.
On my own, I’d never have dared. But with them, I could.
I talked to so many people, and finally—finally—fulfilled my goal.
Closing: Still Got It at 50
My back was wrecked, but my heart was full.
From zero connections to a complete turnaround.
Even if you’re shy, even if you’re alone, even if you’re in your 50s—
you can still bloom.
So to you, reading this right now:
A middle-aged guy can still go for it.
Thank you, community leader.
Thank you to everyone I met at the fest.
My youth? It’s not over yet.
Related Articles
- ⚾ What Can You Do with Three Pitches Left? – My Story with the Thank You Pitch
Even in the second half of life, there’s still room to take on challenges—told through the lens of baseball’s “Thank You Pitch.” - 🐾 Because Family Deserves Better – Choosing PAW’S GREEN DELI
A firsthand story about caring for my Shiba Inu Momiji’s health by choosing a premium, additive-free dog food made in Japan. - 🧴 A Birthday Gift That Cares for Her Skin – Why I Chose coco_Makana
A 50-something husband’s perspective on choosing the perfect skincare gift for his wife—also a great reference for writing engaging product review articles.
コメント