Quiet Reflection Series #011-#015
What we carry, what we release, and what begins
Over the past months, I’ve been sharing a Quiet Reflection Series on LinkedIn—one question each week, paired with a single image.
Some of these reflections were shared at the end of the year, others at the beginning of a new one.
This blog post gathers Quiet Reflection Series #011–#015 in one place.
Like the earlier collections, the first and the second series, it continues a thread I’ve been following: what stage we’re in, what has shaped us, and what we’re ready to carry—or quietly release—next.
One image in particular that stayed with me is No. 14.
The photo shows a tree covered in snow. A little frozen, a little stiff, and familiar.
My father, who took all of the photographs, named it Yuki Danuki—a snow raccoon dog.
Before sharing the image, I asked:
“Before feedback arrives, what does your body do first?”
For me, the answer was clear. I freeze—whether the feedback is positive or corrective. There’s a brief tightening, then a release.
The image captured that moment perfectly.
If you’d like, take one question and notice what your answer might be.
<Photo by Kyoji Saito>
#011
#012
#013
#014
#015
About the Author
Chie Sawa is the founder of Thrive Life Design — a sanctuary for quiet, introspective leaders and visionaries in Japan.
Drawing from decades of experience in psychology and reflective practice, she now offers The Reflection Room, a non-clinical space for one-on-one conversations and intuitive tarot readings that help thoughtful professionals realign with clarity, confidence, and calm purpose.
