WHY WE ALL NEED TO LIVE A WABI SABI LIFE
On the contrary to the classical western notion of beauty as something perfect, enduring and monumental, wabi-sabi comes from the fusion of opposites. where one should see the beauty of things that are imperfect. It is an overarching philosophy for approaching and embracing things as they are.
So what would a Wabi-Sabi life look like?
PERFECTION DOESN’T EXIST
In a world where we are constantly bombarded with what living a perfect life should be like, we tend to think of the wrong things that would help us be fulfilled. Perfection is not only impossible but the pursuit of this ideal may leave us empty and unhappy in the end.
Wabi-sabi is a philosophy that helps us accept the natural cycle of life. It emphasises that everything is impermanent, incomplete and imperfect. Wabi-sabi can surely save us from day-to-day struggles, stress, fast-paced living and guide us to our true pursuit of happiness.
THE BEAUTY OF IMPERFECTION
Aesthetically speaking, wabi-sabi is about seeing beauty in what’s uneven, unusual or unappreciated. Take a leather chair with imperfect lines, an irregularly shaped porcelain, or an asymmetric vegetable... All these things may be far from perfect and don’t necessarily match with the idea we have of beauty, yet they are still beautiful. They represent time, a change through life and have a story to tell for sure.
For instance, the Japanese philosophy leads to fill broken pottery with gold-dusted lacquer to highlight the beauty of their age.
Moreover, it is essential to remember that our character, our flaws and imperfections are what makes us interesting, authentic and above all, unconditionally human. Wabi-sabi encourages you to accept yourself as who you are without fear of judgment. It is also about appreciating what you have without the need to replace or constantly change it. It is about embracing the cracks that helped us become who we are today.
PRACTICE WABI-SABI IN DAILY LIFE
EMOTIONS
A wabi-sabi relationship is where you accept each other as you are - imperfect, unfinished and mortal. Indeed, Enjoy your emotions. Understand that it is ok not to be happy all the time.
FOOD
The wabi-sabi principles state that our food should be natural, simple and improvised. For instance, fruits and vegetables from your own garden or farmers market is an expression of wabi-sabi. A perfectly shaped and coloured apple is in fact less tasty, juicy or compelling than an irregular or imperfect apple. Wabi-sabi encourages you to do more than taste flavours, but rather hear the sounds your food makes, feel its texture.
Part of the wabi sabi approach is training ourselves to appreciate the simplest things in life and using them to engage our senses, Simon Brown, author of "Practical Wabi Sabi.
HOME
A wabi-sabi home is one where you embrace what's rustic, handmade, unique. It is recognising and loving that your used furniture has a story, a meaning. Tend to choose materials that age beautifully such as wood, stone or metal, so that you can grow old together, and also won't need to replace.
SELF-CARE
Finally, wabi-sabi in self-care, and emphasis that beauty starts by appreciating ageing. This will allow one to seeing new kinds of beauty. Love your scares, broken nails or grey hair.
WORK
Wabi-sabi at work will help you demonstrate what makes you different as a person and highlight it to thrive. It is about letting go of small frustrations that may be holding you back, that aren’t worth adding into your workday.
In the end, Wabi-Sabi isn’t necessarily a lifestyle. Rather, it is an aesthetic, a philosophy that can help you live a more appreciative and peaceful life. Enjoy the season as they come and pass. Make the most of them and embrace what each has to offer. Most importantly, understand the power of time and its inevitable deterioration, and make each moment count.
