There are times when life can feel busy and stressful and it’s not always easy to find a sense of balance or contentment. Japanese daily life, however, can draw on a number of simple philosophies that can offer a different perspective, encouraging us to slow down, enjoy small moments and make the most of what we already have.
These ideas aren’t complicated or mysterious; in fact, they can be surprisingly practical once you start thinking about them. In this blog, I’ll share four Japanese philosophies — ikigai, wabi-sabi, shikata ga nai and mottainai. Each has its own gentle wisdom for navigating modern life and together they remind us that happiness often comes from the simplest things.
Ikigai (生き甲斐): Finding your reason for being
Ikigai is often described as your “reason for being”, the thing that gets you out of bed in the morning. It’s sometimes thought of as the ‘sweet spot’ where what you love, what you’re good at, what supports you and what the world needs you all overlap.
That sounds very grand but in everyday life ikigai can be much simpler and doesn’t have to be about life-changing goals or dream careers.
In fact, many people in Japan find their ikigai in small, everyday joys. It could be tending a garden, walking the dog, sharing a meal with family or simply enjoying your morning cup of tea.
These little rituals and passions give life a sense of purpose and rhythm, and they remind us that meaning doesn’t always come from big achievements.
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For me, I’ve recently found a sense of ikigai in doing calligraphy and trying to illustrate it with little sketches and watercolour paintings. I’m certainly no expert, in fact I’m not very good! But the process itself is calming and enjoyable.
Sometimes the finished piece even turns out better than I had expected, which makes the whole thing even more satisfying. It’s a small, personal pleasure that doesn’t require much equipment or take up a lot of time, but that’s exactly what ikigai is about — finding meaning in the simple things that bring you joy.
Thinking about ikigai in your own life can be a helpful way to notice what really makes you happy, bringing enjoyment and motivation.
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If you feel weighed down by obligations or stress, it can be grounding to ask yourself: what small things make me feel most alive? Focusing on those can give each day a little more lightness and satisfaction.
Wabi-sabi (侘寂): The beauty of imperfection
Where ikigai is about finding meaning in the everyday, wabi-sabi is about seeing beauty in things that are imperfect, simple and fleeting. It’s an idea that runs through Japanese art, design, and daily life — a reminder that nothing lasts forever, nothing is truly finished, and nothing is perfect.
At first, that might sound a little melancholy, but in reality it’s quite freeing. Instead of striving for flawless results or always chasing after the next new thing, wabi-sabi encourages us to slow down and appreciate what we already have. A chipped favourite mug, a well-worn table or even the changing colours of the seasons, all of these carry their own beauty when we look at them with fresh eyes.
It also brings me back to my own artistic endeavours. To produce a perfect composition is not the reason I do it. Being creative and making something by hand is what’s important to me; who care’s if it’s a little uneven or roughly drawn? If I wanted something more professional I’d just use the latest digital and AI tools.
Wabi-sabi also celebrates the act of mending and fixing. If something breaks, you don’t need to throw it away or replace it. A simple repair, even if it isn’t perfect, is enough because the effort and care you put into restoring it adds its own kind of beauty and creates a story that didn’t exist before. The cracks, the stitches, the patched edges… they remind us that life is lived and that imperfection is part of the journey.
In modern life, wabi-sabi can be a gentle antidote to constant consumerism and the pressure to have everything 'just so'. It invites us to enjoy the handmade, the slightly messy, the weathered and the unique. When we embrace imperfections, life feels a little less stressful. And by appreciating what we have and giving a little love to what’s worn or broken, life feels simpler, more genuine and often much more satisfying.
Mottainai (もったいない): Respect for what we have
Mottainai is a Japanese concept that expresses a sense of regret over waste, whether it’s food, resources, time or even opportunities. At its heart, it’s about appreciating what we have and making the most of it, rather than discarding or ignoring it.
This philosophy naturally connects with wabi-sabi - just as we can see beauty in imperfect things, we can also honour and care for them instead of throwing them away. A scratched plate, a worn-out sweater or a half-used tin of paint — all of these things can still serve a purpose and bring value if we look at them with intention. The small effort of repairing, reusing or repurposing is part of the joy and it reminds us to be thoughtful about the things we own.
In daily life, mottainai can help us save money, reduce waste and even cultivate gratitude. It might mean storing food leftovers rather than throwing them away, repairing a favourite item instead of buying new or simply slowing down to really notice the things around us. By doing so, we not only make our resources go further but we also develop a deeper appreciation for the ordinary things that often go unnoticed.
Shikata ga nai (仕方がない): Graceful acceptance
So even after our attempts to rescue, repair, create or try our hardest to make do… what then?
Shikata ga nai literally means 'it cannot be helped'. It’s a mindset that encourages acceptance of situations beyond our control rather than fighting or worrying about them. Rather than giving in to frustration or stress, we acknowledge what’s happening and focus on what we can influence.
In everyday life, this can be a liberating feeling. A delayed train, a sudden downpour, a missed deadline, these things are frustrating, yes, but worrying about them won’t change the outcome. Shikata ga nai reminds us to take a step back, adjust our perspective and respond calmly where we can. It’s about finding peace in the middle of life’s little unpredictabilities.
This philosophy complements the other ideas we’ve explored. While ikigai helps us find purpose, wabi-sabi teaches us to embrace imperfection and mottainai encourages respect for what we have, shikata ga nai gives us a tool for staying calm and resilient when life doesn’t go to plan or our efforts fail. Together, these philosophies offer gentle guidance for living a more balanced, contented life.
Bringing it all together
Exploring these four Japanese philosophies of ikigai, wabi-sabi, mottainai and shikata ga nai offers a gentle toolkit for modern life. Each one provides a different way to approach everyday challenges:
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Ikigai reminds us to notice what gives us purpose and joy, even in small moments.
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Wabi-sabi shows us that imperfection and change can be beautiful and that mending or repairing can be part of life’s charm and an enjoyable pursuit in itself.
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Mottainai encourages us to value what we have, avoid waste and make the most of our resources. We can do this as much for our own satisfaction as for any larger, global goals.
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Shikata ga nai helps us accept what we cannot control and respond calmly to life’s little surprises, when things go wrong or cannot be salvaged.
Taken together, these ideas offer more than just philosophical concepts, they’re practical ways to slow down, appreciate the ordinary and cultivate a sense of calm and contentment.
By incorporating even one or two of these approaches into daily life, we can create a little more balance, joy and meaning in the midst of our busy, modern world.
