Have you heard about the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi? It’s a way of thinking that encourages you to see the value in things that aren’t perfect, finished, or permanent, it explores the transient nature of life and how nothing stays the same.
Recently, I was given a bunch of flowers. At first, they were perfect, bright, fresh, and full of colour. They soon began to droop and fade. Normally I’d chuck them in the bin at that point, but this time I didn’t, something stopped me in my tracks. Even as they wilted, I appreciated how they still looked beautiful, but in a more delicate way, the petals were softer and turning a dusty shade of pink. It made me realise that beauty doesn’t disappear, it just changes. And that change is worth noticing. There’s actually something calming in knowing that not everything, including you or me, has to be perky, polished, perfect and permanent to be valuable.
I have a little book about Wabi Sabi, it lives on my bedside table. I don’t read it often, I just dip into it, every now and then when I feel the need to pause and remind myself that whatever is going on in life isn’t going to be forever. Everything is temporary and good or bad it won’t last forever.
If you’re going through something tough, hang in there, one minute, hour, day at a time. And if things are going well, embrace that feeling and milk it for all you’re worth. And if you’re somewhere in the middle right now and you’re not sure how you feel, just go with what feels right for you, right now. Things will naturally work themselves out, they always do.
I haven’t finished the book yet, so unless there’s a massive plot twist, I reckon Wabi Sabi is actually about mindfulness and noticing what’s in front of you without judgement, even when it’s not perfect. And being okay with that.
Shannon Humphrey is a First Aid for Mental Health Instructor and Wellbeing advocate, find out more about her work at www.pathwaysforpositivity.com
Photo: Shutterstock
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