The Power of a ‘Detour’

Hi everyone! Thank you for reading my article.

This time I would like to share my thoughts on the word ‘detour.’ In my recent Japanese article, the theme was「遠回り(tōmawari)」, and its negative image of falling behind, or wasting effort. This led me to wonder: does the English word ‘detour’ feel the same?

While the Japanese “tōmawari” often suggests a disadvantage, the English ‘detour’ can hold a surprisingly positive, and even empowering nuance. For example;

A change in plans: My career took an unexpected detour, but it led me to a job I truly love.
A deliberate choice: On our way to the coast, we took a scenic detour through the mountains.

The first sentence; “my career took an unexpected detour,” resonates deeply with me. Calling my path as an ‘unexpected detour’ reframes it as a meaningful choice, not just a deviation from the plan. Even when you translate this idea back into Japanese, the positive feeling seems to dissolve; the “tōmawari” is simply seen as a step in a process, its intrinsic value overlooked.

The word’s origin reinforces this. ‘Detour’ comes from French, where de- (‘off,’) and tour (‘a turn.’) combine to mean a conscious change in direction.

Now I believe a detour isn’t a sign of failure or a waste of time, but a necessary course correction on the path to success.

What if taking a detour is the most natural choice you can make? It may feel like the long way around, but perhaps it is ultimately the most direct path to where truly need to be.

*****

日本語と英語、２つの記事にわたって、
「遠回り(detour)」を特集してみました。

実はかなり異なるアプローチの文章になりました。
気になる方は是非色々工夫して読んでみてくださいね！

私が今取り組んでいるプロジェクトにも”遠回りの感覚”がありますが、
その分、お客様には満足いただいております！

2月のあやかダンス部「ナニコレカラダ」プログラム
まもなく公開します！　お楽しみに♪