Learn three powerful ways the Wabi Sabi Philosophy can change your life and home.
If you could shift your mindset and bring more peace, joy, and organization to your life would you? The answer is simple, the process of change is more challenging. By learning more about the Wabi Sabi philosophy you can more easily embrace the change.
The Philosophy of More in Our Society
Flashy, new, expensive. These are the adjectives that many in our society live by.
New > Used
Extravagant > Frugal
More > Less
Whether referring to material possessions or people, it’s always about the new, up and coming. Many people’s life philosophy is all about more. It’s out with the old and in with the new and this cycle is on repeat. We are surrounded by quick fixes and flashy advertisements about becoming your best self; we are taught this is only possible with the perfect products, perfect home, perfect vacation, etc. If something is outdated the only solution seems to be to drop it and get something new.
When your car is a couple years old, it’s time for something shinier.
Your friend just moved into a 2500 sq. foot home so you have to upgrade too.
Your neighbors have the perfect landscape, let’s go to Home Depot.
The iphone 16 was just released. (is that the newest model now? I can’t even keep up! haha) That prehistoric phone you’ve had for a year that works like new might as well be in a museum.
Did you see that vacation that your “friend” on social media just took? Even though you never talk to them in real life and really couldn’t define them as a friend, you MUST now take a vacation that trumps theirs with perfect Instagram photos to boot!
This philosophy of more and better seems to dominate our society. But…
The good (very good) news is that there are other ways of viewing the world. There is a mindset that brings a newfound appreciation and joy to life. The philosophy of Wabi-Sabi.
What is the Wabi Sabi Philosophy
Made popular in Japan, Wabi-Sabi is an incredible word, or maybe better described as a mentality or philosophy of looking at life. On the surface, it describes the aesthetics and art of Japanese culture that appreciates imperfection, rawness and authenticity. It is a way of creating and designing, but also preserving, without covering up what makes objects unique and, at times, scarred. It’s the beauty of things that are imperfect.
“Broadly, wabi-sabi is everything that today’s sleek, mass-produced, technology-saturated culture isn’t. It’s flea markets, not shopping malls; aged wood, not swank floor coverings; one single morning glory, not a dozen red roses.”
— Robyn Griggs , Editor-in-Chief of Natural Home magazine
Although wabi-sabi is an aesthetic it runs so much deeper than just style and architecture. It is a mindset. The appreciation of imperfection is rooted in a world view that embraces the natural decay of everything and everyone on this planet; and, instead of trying to hide it or replace it, wabi-sabi embraces this reality and learns to see the beauty in it.
How I Discovered Wabi Sabi
When myself and my husband traveled throughout Japan on our honeymoon this is when we first learned of the term and philosophy of wabi-sabi. It resonated with us on a variety of levels. The genuineness of its philosophy inspired us.
We want to appreciate the beauty in things that are imperfect.
This means finding the beauty in our marriage though at times imperfect. Finding beauty in the role of parenting although we are far from perfect. This philosophy has infiltrated our physical world as well. We want a simple and serene life. We want to be a family that understands slower is better. That we can be content in all circumstances and enjoy the simplistic joys that life has to offer.
Many people are already capturing this perspective and living it out every day whether Wabi-Sabi is in their vocabulary or not. A western form of this lifestyle and philosophy is minimalism. If you are looking for ways to implement the principals of minimalism to create a more peaceful home you can check out my article HERE.
Ways a Wabi Sabi Philosophy Can Improve Your Life
Below are four powerful ways Wabi Sabi Philosophy can positively impact your life.
1. Emotionally
Remember, Wabi-Sabi is the beauty of things that are imperfect. All of us are imperfect and have areas of our lives that could be improved. This doesn’t mean we live in a state of apathy but that we understand perfection will never be achieved.
We all could use a little more grace in our lives. Our society often demands perfection. Perfection of our looks, our education, our jobs. But the demand for perfection leaves a society suffering from continual stress and mental health challenges. Leading a life that not only allows you to embrace imperfection but alto to find beauty in the simple can bring peace.
2. Financially
How can the philosophy of Wabi-Sabi benefit you financially? By appreciating the beauty of things that are imperfect you will no longer have to have the newest and greatest. You will be able to drive a car that doesn’t impress your coworkers. (let’s face it, they don’t care what you drive anyway)
You will be able to find the beauty in a home that is significantly smaller or not as updated as your friends. Your clothing may be bought second hand. Instead of buying something new. Read my article about shopping secondhand HERE.
When an item breaks you may attempt to fix it, in order to use it a little longer. This is a lifestyle shift, one that will allow you to save a significant amount of money in order to pay off debt, invest and give.
3. Physically
Let’s just be real for a second. In our 21st century world we are bombarded in every direction by stuff! We hear and see advertisements for the majority of our day, whether it’s on TV, the radio or social media. It almost seems as if we can’t escape it in our physical world. But what if you can?
The term Wabi-Sabi not only means beauty in the imperfect but the word Wabi in Japanese can also mean the appreciation of a serene life. When you look at your physical possessions within your home, does it feel serene? Is there a sense of peace?
Marie Kondo, a world renown tidying and organizing expert, who happens to be Japanese has founded the KonMari method to help her clients never to revert to clutter again. One of the questions she suggests you ask when minimizing is, “Does this item spark joy in my life?”
By learning to see the beauty of things that are imperfect less possessions will enter our homes. By learning to appreciate the serene our spaces will become clutter free. This lifestyle change in your physical world can bring contentment and make you more attuned to a simpler way of life.
Embrace Wabi Sabi
Embracing a Wabi Sabi philosophy has the power to change your life.
We don’t see people and culture to be only as attractive as their state of perfection. No person is complete. No person is perfect. But at its core, that is what gives people beauty. Once you begin to see that, your world view will radically change.
I hope this post encourages you to embrace the wabi-sabi in your own lives. Comment below how the philosophy of wabi sabi has helped you live a more slow and simple life.
I love this. Wabi-Sabi is more than minimalism. Wabi Sabi incorporates emotion and a love of simplicity and natural aging for items and life that minimalism does not include.
Beautiful. I love that you and your husband found out about wasi sabi on your honeymoon in Japan, and now use it in your family life. There’s a lot of peace in this philosophy. Thanks for sharing.