Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
Overview
In recent years, society has gathered pace, our stress levels have gone through the roof and we have become increasingly obsessed with money, job titles, appearances and the endless accumulation of stuffs that we don’t really need. There is a growing amount of discontent as we push ourselves harder to achieve the ideal image of perfection that we overwhelmed ourselves.
While social media is helpful in many ways, in enabling you to connect with people from the comfort of your homes and retrieving countless information, it furthers disconnect you from the real world, offline and we inevitably compare ourselves to our peers making ourselves feel miserable and wasting more time scrolling aimlessly on our phones going further into the abyss.
Image by Joseph Mucira from Pixabay
People have begun doing digital detox to get away from it all, to gather our own thoughts and yearn for a much simpler and meaningful life, where we could be liked and loved for who we are as a person. A life built around what really matters to us. I’ve tried reading several self-help books but none of them resonated with me as the books that I am about to recommend you to read.
They are written by authors who are either living or working in Japan that they have learnt several aspects of Japanese cultural life that they believe could be adopted elsewhere, whether it’s changing a mindset, finding time for a cup of tea or a walk in nature, and other techniques that can be really useful to those who felt overworked, anxious, burnt out and emotionally exhausted.
1| Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life
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A well written book by Beth Kempton, which makes you feel as if you are going on a journey in Japan with her, starting in Kyoto, to discover the history and mysteries behind the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi, which teaches you how to live with the rhythm of nature and see the beauty of imperfection, being gentler to ourselves and decelerating our lives.
To put it simply, it’s a whole new way of looking at the world and your life, inspired by centuries-old Japanese wisdom. With roots in Zen and the way of tea, it is more relevant than ever for a modern life as we search for new ways to approach life’s challenges and seek a purposeful meaning beyond materialism.
2| A Little Book of Japanese Contentments: Ikigai, Forest Bathing, Wabi-sabi, and More
Image by Erin Niimi Longhurst
An interesting book by Erin Niimi Longhurst that covers more than one philosophy, that aims at different aspects of your life, such as the first part which focuses on your heart and mind, finding contentment in your life and celebrating your hardships that shapes you into who you are today and letting go of your idea of perfection, because life itself isn’t a perfect.
The second part focuses on your body, how you engage with your surroundings and how to nourish it to stimulate your mind and the third part focuses on developing your habit slowly. And there are several beautiful photos of Japan on every page for you to pause and reflect on what you have just read on that page.
3| The Book of Ichigo Ichie: The Art of Making the Most of Every Moment, the Japanese Way
Image by Penguin Books
Today, we spend most of our time overthinking, either about the uncertainties of the future or being dragged down by the baggage of our past that we fail to live in the moment and spend our lives sleepwalking. This is where Garcia and Miralles, will guide you to relish everyday experiences and how to live in the moment.
In an age of distraction, instant gratification, and superficial engagement, the Japanese concept of “ichigo ichie,” which roughly translates as “one time, one meeting/opportunity,” can help us to treasure individual moments. Every moment in one’s life, they write, deserves full attention because this very moment will never happen again or in the exact same way again.
4| L’art de la Simplicité: How to Live More with Less
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Ever wonder why Marie Kondo and the minimalist movement are gaining momentum in this current age of commercialism and excessive spending? This book is great place to start to understand it’s underlying concept and how it’ll help you lead a simple life with just the minimum. You don’t have to sleep on the floor in an empty room but know well enough to get rid of things that you do not need because a clean home cleanses your mind and soul.
Dominuque Loreau takes you on a step-by-step journey to a clutter-free home, a calm mind and an energized body. Free yourself of possessions you don’t want or need; have more money to spend on life’s little luxuries; eat better and lose weight; and say goodbye to anxiety and negative relationships.
5| Into the Forest: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness
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We are increasingly becoming an indoor species that we spend 90% of our life indoors, staring at our screens, from work to leisure which is affecting our health without us realizing it. In this book, Immunologist and Forest Medicine expert, Dr Qing Li, examines the unprecedented benefits of forest therapy or Shinrin Yoku, exploring the scientific connection between nature and our wellbeing.
How a mindful stroll in the park, through the forest or by the sea, listening to the sounds of nature and breathing in fresh air into your lungs could reduce blood pressure, stress level and improve energy levels and immune system as well, making you feel much healthier and happier.
There are several beautiful photos of the parks and forests across Japan where his research was conducted for you to immerse yourself into, making you feel as if you are there, spending time in nature yourself.
Conclusion
These books that I have shared are a refreshing antidote to our fast paced consumption driven world, where we’re constantly being shoved by the idea of perfection from work to love life. They will encourage you to slow down, reconnect with nature and be gentler on yourself. It can help you simplify everything and concentrate on what really matters in life.
There’s nothing wrong in achieving what you set out to achieve but bear in mind that we’re only human, we have flaws, we have wounds, we make mistakes, we have our limits, we are not identical to everyone else, we go through different paths and life experiences that shape us into who we are.
Hope they’ll help you to love yourself just as you are and face life with a smile.