“Have you ever felt as if you don’t belong anywhere and just want to live in a place where no one knows you?”

When I heard this question, I felt something deep inside me — a strong urge to answer it. Maybe it’s because I’ve been feeling like I don’t belong anywhere for a long time — not in my home, not at school, not even in the streets I walk every day. Even though I was aware of this feeling, I never tried to understand it deeply. Then I watched One Million Yen Girl and met Suzuko.

I had no expectations about the film; I didn’t even check the storyline before watching it. In the movie, Suzuko saves one million yen and moves to a new city each time. Some may think she’s running away, but I believe she’s simply trying to find herself. She wants to start over again and again — to live a life where no one knows her, where she is free and can choose how she wants to live.

Belonging is an important feeling, but sometimes we just don’t feel it. We may feel stuck in a life we didn’t choose. Our family, our culture, or society often decides how we should live — not us. That’s why Suzuko’s story touched me so deeply. She shows that it’s possible to leave everything behind and start again. Real life might not be as simple as in movies or dramas, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Starting a new life is not easy. It takes courage. Suzuko starts over many times — new homes, new jobs, new people. She doesn’t wait for someone to save her. She saves herself.

I asked myself: can I do the same? Maybe I can’t move to another city right now, and to be honest, just moving to a different city wouldn’t be enough for me — I wouldn’t feel far from my family or the people I know. What I really want is to move to another country, and then another one every six months or a year. But since that’s not so easy, maybe I can start with small changes. Saying “no,” trying something new, or leaving something behind — all of these are also kinds of new beginnings.

In the movie, Suzuko is often alone — but that’s not a bad thing. When she’s alone, she gets to know herself better. I used to think being alone was sad, but now I see it can be peaceful. Sometimes, being surrounded by people who don’t understand you is the worst feeling of all. I believe everyone is searching for understanding — of themselves, of the world, of their beliefs.

I don’t have one million yen, but I do have a dream. I dream of going to a place where no one knows me. A place where no one asks who I am or what I should be. Just a quiet life where I can be myself.

Maybe I won’t go far away. Maybe my journey will be an inner one. I want to feel free — even if I stay in the same place. I only wish the people around me were kinder and less selfish. I hate people who are narrow-minded, who never try new things, who never try to understand different ideas. People need to realize the world doesn’t revolve around them. Everyone should have the right to choose how they want to spend their time in this world. Life may seem long, but time flies — and many people don’t even notice because they’re too busy with daily problems.

One Million Yen Girl showed me that even quiet people can be strong. Starting a new life may look simple (maybe not for people in the Middle East), but it’s still powerful. You don’t have to explain yourself. You can just keep choosing yourself — again and again — each time as a new version of you. And that is enough.

I’m still trying to find my way. But now I truly believe this: I can build my own life. And maybe one day, I’ll find a place — or a feeling — where I really belong.

I hope you find what you're looking for, too.