Imperfection Is Not a Compromise
When you search wabi-sabi, many sources describe it as finding beauty in imperfection.
For some people, the word imperfection can sound negative - almost like something is lacking.
Here, I want to highlight something important:
Imperfection is not something sad or weak, and it is not a sign of giving up.
It does not mean abandoning your purpose or lowering your standards for life.
We still have goals and ambitions. The real question is whether something is truly important to you, or whether you might already have enough.
Bigger space, more organised, more comfortable?
What I once thought of as “imperfect” was not living in a big place, or not having a successful career or a good salary to afford a luxurious lifestyle.
When we were looking to buy property, we wanted to live relatively close to the city for work and convenience. We ended up buying a tiny two-bedroom apartment because we couldn’t afford a house or even a townhouse. At first, moving into that apartment felt fine.
But when we had a two-year-old and a newborn on the way, I developed a strong desire to live in a bigger place. And we did—we rented a larger home.
We filled it with new furniture and things. I like organising and giving everything its place, but somehow the space still felt cluttered. Things were everywhere. They were hard to find, and sometimes we even forgot we owned them.
When imperfection becomes perfect
As I researched more about wabi-sabi and explored its meaning through my artwork, I started to want a simpler life. I realised that we already had a lovely, cozy apartment—and that it was enough.
We got rid of more than half of our belongings: furniture, toys, books, kitchen tools, clothes—things we didn’t even remember owning.
People around us worried about how everything would fit into a tiny apartment with two little boys, a work-from-home setup, and space for painting.
But everything fit.
I felt more organised and far less cluttered. The home became easier to clean, we always knew where things were, and emotionally, we felt closer as a family.
Because our space is limited and we want to live simply, we now only buy what is necessary. But that doesn’t mean I compromised on creating a beautiful space. I kept objects that mattered to me—ceramics from Japan, inspiring books, and meaningful pieces.
After months of research and careful consideration, we bought one accent chair. It has no arms, is the perfect size to relax in, and is made from soft fabric in a natural colour. We love it so much.
Our tiny apartment became simple, but full of attention to detail—a meaningful space. Even our minds feel less cluttered and more fulfilled. The space I once thought was imperfect became our perfect home.
You don’t need to compromise on what you want.
Sometimes, you just need to shift your perspective and see whether what feels imperfect can turn into something deeply enjoyable.
You don’t need to do this straight away.
But if this idea stays somewhere in your mind, you may find it helpful at some point in your life.
