“Although we tend to think about a career as a linear object, wabi sabi reminds us that life is cyclical, and we can have more than one ‘career’ in our lifetime. We can also be inspired to be gentler to ourselves along the way.”
The natural life cycle of houseplants reinforces this sense of renewal and growth. Adding new houseplants to any room in your house is a simple way to find moments of joy and appreciation in the smaller things.
Beth Kempton shares three simple wabi-sabi principles to help refocus our sense of wellbeing:
1. Your environment matters
Beth explains: “The philosophy of wabi sabi is deeply intertwined with nature, and time in nature can encourage us to reflect on what really matters.
Spending your time inside, staring at a phone or computer screen, pulls you away from the natural world. Try bringing nature into your work and living space through houseplants and reflect on how much calmer and creative you feel.
The colour green balances our energies; it can be used to increase our sensitivity and compassion towards others and represents purity and harmony.”
2. Relax. You can only do what you can do.
Beth adds: “So often we feel like we ‘should’ be doing more, or feel pressured to take on more responsibility, attend more meetings, say yes to more invitations. But it’s okay to admit you are at capacity.
Wabi-sabi is rooted in the natural principle of impermanence, which means that whatever situation you are in right now will not be the exact same situation forever.
Houseplants remind us that we are always growing and evolving. Take time to concentrate on nurturing and studying your houseplants, and take pride and comfort in this natural cycle of change.”
3. Be aware when you compare
Beth explains: “It’s very hard to run a business or move ahead in your career and not compare your success to the success of others. We often get sucked in to the pursuit of an elusive ‘perfection’ along the way. Add to this our growing obsession with social media, and it’s easy to see how we end up spending so much time in other people’s lives, instead of mining for beauty in our own.
The thing to remember is this: we are not supposed to be ‘perfect’. Your career is never ‘finished’. We are all a work-in-progress, and someone else’s success does not hinder your chances of achieving what you want. Their success may even open up new opportunities for you and others.
We would love to see how houseplants bring you joy! Tag us in a photo on Facebook or Instagram.
Read more about how you can simplify your home the wabi-sabi way.
