Emmie Rae is the founder of The Daily Rest and tdr.tokyo, a prolific poet and writer, with a courageous heart who promotes rest at every juncture, while simultaneously managing several businesses, while being a creative and sensitive human with big hopes and dreams. A couple of years ago, she moved herself and her entire life from Sydney to Tokyo, and is showing us how we can live a life steeped with rest while still doing big and hard things. Let’s see how she does it…
What’s on your to-do list today?
Meeting with event collaborator, check office mailbox, finish sign up page for yin immersion, film for the daily rest studio, morning pages, radiance meditation, belly dance practice
What’s one thing you’ve already crossed off?
Morning pages and meditation!
Do you write lists on paper, in notes, in your head, or not at all?
Always on paper, in multiple notebooks. Unless it’s a shopping list, then it goes in my phone
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Recently, I’ve been in a really good flow. It’s freezing here in Tokyo so I make myself get up straight away, put on my thickest socks and a record (I’m loving Paul Desmond’s Take Ten, or Ichiko Aoba’s Luminescent Creatures) then I scrape my tongue, boil water, brush my teeth and prepare fresh ginger, red dates and goji berries to simmer on the stove for tea.
What’s always on your bedside table?
Herbal tea leftovers from the night before, a very serious Japanese nighttime hand cream, nail oil, a wooden comb and a humidifier.
How do you like your mornings to feel?
Slow, spacious and as analogue as possible. I don’t follow a set routine, but I have a handful of go-to practices I pick from, or rotate the order of, so I can stay somewhat disciplined as someone who is deeply allergic to structure and repetition.
What’s in your mug or on your plate today?
Most mornings I have okayu, or rice porridge. Today mine has a little salmon and chilli oil as a topping. I also made a big batch of adzuki beans with glutinous black rice and red dates I’ve been eating topped with toasted mochi, sometimes twice a day.
Something you’ve stopped doing and don’t miss?
Setting an alarm in the morning!
What are you working on that excites you right now?
Everything! I’m currently finalising the 2026 retreat schedule for my business here in Tokyo. I’m particularly excited about a late 2026 writing retreat in Ishigaki, a tiny tropical island at the southern tip of Japan.
How do you know you’re in alignment in your work?
When I feel fed by it. When I’m not afraid to take breaks or extra days off. When the challenges I’m faced with (which this year, were many) are helping me grow, not (only) crushing my soul
How do you rest or recharge during the day?
With The Daily Rest Studio! 20 minutes of rest each afternoon will change your entire life. Sometimes it’s a restorative posture, a short yin practice, or a guided relaxation. Other days, it’s an afternoon walk to a local coffee shop to sit and write by hand, or a short movement practice to get things moving again
How do you like to end your day?
With the hottest bath I can stand, my phone in another room, a little stretching, a little moxibustion and a little sex and the city, or reading in bed.
What’s currently on your nightstand / playlist / altar?
Music has been a huge source of inspiration my entire life. On top of Paul Desmond and Ichiko Aoba, I’ve been listening to a lot of Jonny Nash, Men I Trust, Ganavya, Skuli Sevverrisson and Olivia Dean, of course. I love making playlists over on my spotify.
Thank you for sharing your list with us.
Last question ~ what links can people find you at?
Substack: emmierae.substack.com
Instagram: @thedailyrest and @tdr.tokyo
TDR Studio: thedailyrest.com
I went to one of Emmie’s retreats last year and it was bliss 🧡