Embracing the perfectly imperfect

By Herman M. Lagon

Imagine if beauty was not about being flawless but about celebrating life’s inevitable cracks and quirks. This is not just a fleeting Instagram trend or idealistic notion; it is the heart of Japan’s wabi-sabi philosophy. Rooted in accepting impermanence and imperfection, wabi-sabi shows us that beauty is found in the worn, the broken, and the transformed. For us in the Philippines, where Western ideals often shape our ideas of success and appearance, wabi-sabi could offer a refreshing perspective.

In Japan, wabi-sabi is a lifestyle. It combines “wabi,” or simplicity, with “sabi,” which finds beauty in the old and worn. Instead of discarding a chipped mug, wabi-sabi encourages repairing it with gold, a process known as kintsugi. This practice highlights transformation over flawlessness and creates beauty from what others might toss aside. In our local setting, this philosophy resonates in a society where our own cracks—be they personal, political, or social—are often visible.

The pressure to conform to perfect ideals is everywhere in the country. We see it in the constant emphasis on fair skin, ideal family life, and career success, leading many of us to chase illusions that can feel alien to our reality. Social media amplifies this, presenting highly curated lives that are difficult, if not impossible, to match. Yet, wabi-sabi teaches that true worth lies not in hiding imperfections but embracing them. Imagine how liberating it could be to simply be real, flaws and all.

Consider our grit-filled teachers, especially those adapting post-pandemic. Many transitioned overnight from in-person classes to online learning, often with little support or resources. They had to learn new technologies, improvise lessons, and juggle challenges at home. In doing so, they became living examples of wabi-sabi—resourceful, resilient, and beautifully imperfect. Their dedication, despite setbacks, is not a failure but a testament to their strength. This adaptability deserves to be valued, not overshadowed by expectations of flawless execution.

UNESCO reports that our teachers experience some of the highest stress levels globally. The wabi-sabi perspective suggests viewing their struggles not as shortcomings but as proof of their resilience. When we stop measuring success by impossible standards, we can appreciate teachers’ efforts for what they are—sincere acts of dedication. Embracing this approach helps shift the focus from perfection to genuine progress, which, if applied widely, could transform not only teaching but also how we evaluate ourselves and each other.

Beyond careers, our obsession with perfection invades our personal lives as well. Many of us struggle with self-image, feeling pressured to fit a mold they never chose. Wabi-sabi invites us to ask who benefits from our pursuit of perfection. Finding worth in our natural selves can lead to inner peace, freeing us from the need to prove ourselves to anyone. Self-acceptance brings calm, especially in a culture where people often feel they must prove their value through visible achievements.

In learning to value imperfection, wabi-sabi holds particular lessons for those who have overcome challenges. From single parents and OFWs to PWDs, many of us embody kintsugi’s “golden cracks” through their resilience. They have faced hardship and emerged stronger, their lives marked by beauty in places that once held only pain. Rather than flawless success, this resilience [not the toxic one, of course] is the objective measure of character, something we might honor more openly.

As a society, we are often drawn to flawlessness and sometimes miss the strength hidden in struggle. This plays out in mental health, where vulnerability is frequently stigmatized. Yet, wabi-sabi reminds us that understanding our fragility leads to greater humanity. Accepting that everyone carries unseen struggles fosters empathy and shared purpose. If more of us felt empowered to seek help without fear of judgment, mental health could be approached with the compassion it deserves.

In politics, wabi-sabi’s lessons on impermanence could be a humbling reminder for those in power. Leaders rise and fall, and even the strongest administrations reveal flaws. Wabi-sabi encourages us to see these imperfections as part of the bigger picture, reminding us that progress is not linear but often a mix of wins and setbacks. Recognizing this might offer leaders and citizens a healthier governance and enduring perspective.

In the environmental sphere, wabi-sabi is deeply relevant to our country, which is most vulnerable to natural disasters. From typhoons to rising sea levels, landslides to flash floods, droughts to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes to heat waves, nature reminds us of life’s impermanence. Many coastal communities adapt to these challenges by living in harmony with the land, embodying a local form of wabi-sabi. This kinship with nature aligns with the indigenous concept of pakikipagkapwa, which respects the natural cycle and accepts nature’s unpredictability as a way of life.

Living wabi-sabi does not mean abandoning ambitions but rather innovating and shifting how we approach them. Striving for perfection often leads to burnout, but embracing authenticity and sustainable progress can bring balance. If more organizations and communities fostered a culture that values effort over error-free results, workplace stress and well-being could decrease. Applied beyond business, this mindset could nurture an environment where growth is more valuable than flawless achievement.

Ultimately, wabi-sabi offers a way to experience contentment in everyday life. Imagine the peace from valuing simplicity, focusing on experiences over appearances, and finding joy in the present. We are known for bayanihan, our spirit of unity in hardship. Paired with wabi-sabi and a sense of activism, this spirit can help us see imperfections as shared experiences, bringing us closer rather than setting us apart. In valuing the beauty in our daily lives, we might find ourselves more united, steadfast, and directed.

In a world that pushes for the perfect, wabi-sabi teaches us that life is an evolving journey, with all its fissures, repairs, joys, and trials. Embracing this approach could help us find peace amid life’s uncertainties. Rather than striving to fit into a perfect mold, we are invited to celebrate our unique story—a story where both flaws and strengths define who we are. Just as kintsugi’s gold mends the cracks without hiding them, we can honor our strength and fragility, creating a more connected, compassionate society.

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Doc H fondly describes himself as a “student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.