If you’re a perfectionist and haven’t heard of Wabi-Sabi, then I am so excited to be the one to offer you this relief. Wabi-Sabi is the Japanese aesthetic and worldview that finds beauty in imperfection and incompleteness. It’s rooted in Zen Buddhism and values the natural, simple and authentic, celebrating flaws and transience as essential aspects of life and creativity.

The 3 Principles of Wabi-Sabi Imperfection: embraces flaws as part of beauty. Impermanence: Recognizes that nothing lasts forever. Simplicity: appreciates minimalism and unadorned, focusing on what is essential rather than ornate or overly refined.

When I first heard the term Wabi-Sabi I was still very much trapped in the idea of Perfectionism. I would say things about my art or my creative practice like, “I’m not good enough” or feel embarrassed to share my work. I would become obsessed with the smallest imperfection, leaving me unable to see the piece as a whole. Discovering Wabi-Sabi was a gift. I was able to claim the belief and incorporate it into my aesthetic. I began to find freedom and beauty in the art of imperfection. I loved the way my work looked handcrafted rather than machine made. I loved the way my work varied from piece to piece, reflecting the natural variations of the natural world. It became a defining aspect of my art as I embraced this mindset.

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Incorporating the idea of Wabi-Sabi into your art (and life) can offer a miraculous relief to perfectionism. It’s the opportunity to let our art be what it is: a creation from you made by your hands and soul, a reflection of the world around it. What a gift to give yourself and the people who appreciate and admire your art. Nothing is so precious nothing is so perfect.

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Ways to bring Wabi-Sabi into your art practice: Celebrating Flaws & Imperfections Using natural and unrefined materials Embracing Asymmetry and Irregularity Incorporating Weathering & Aging Finding Inspiration in Nature Minimalism and Simplicity Allowing Spontaneity Find Beauty in Mistakes

I offer you this philosophy, not as an attempt to say that there isn’t beauty in rounded corners and sleek finished pieces, but as a way to allow your practice and process to be free of the criticism, obsessive touch ups, and feelings of failure. Where can you let go in your art practice? When can you give yourself permission to be complete? How can you find beauty in the imperfection?

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