Wabi-Sabi: The Japanese Philosophy For a Perfectly Imperfect Life

When I started work this year, a friend would always remind me to just "let it go". Being a devout advocate for perfection when possible, this advice was impossibly hard to adopt, but has become somewhat of a revelation in both my professional and personal life, and also mirrors elements of the Wabi Sabi philosophy.

The Wabi Sabi philosophy and aesthetic has always appealed to me, and represents a way of living that I hope to embody one day. The principle of Shibumi, or creative restraint feels increasingly important in a world where more is never enough. I truly admire people who can create something that is both intentional and simple, and are able to find peace and acceptance in that simplicity.

I started painting both as an outlet for creativity but also as an exercise in adopting Wabi Sabi principles. Honestly, I've failed pretty miserably - the mistake of adding just a few too many paint strokes has happened countless times and the regret only compounds with time. Maybe with practice, I'll be able to draw a single line on a massive canvas and be completely ok with it. If you're feeling burnt out, stressed or anxious, I'd encourage you to read into the Wabi Sabi philosophy.

- Jeff