Wabi-Sabi

I have seen this video from TikTok about Wabi-Sabi, and it's actually something I always think about. It's a Japanese idea that celebrates the beauty of what’s flawed. And maybe that’s why it resonates with me so much. Because, well, me, I’m full of imperfections.

I wanna start with the obvious ones. I have bad posture. My shoulders slouch a little, especially after long nights in front of the computer. My smile? It’s gummy, and my teeth are yellow from all the coffee I adore. I’m tall—sometimes too tall—and my upper and lower body don’t quite match. My stomach isn’t flat, my neck has lines, and my skin tone’s uneven. Oh, and don’t get me started on my dark undereyes. They make me look tired even when I’m not. But the thing is, every one of these “flaws” makes me love myself even more.

That bad posture? I earned it. It’s a quiet reminder of the long hours I’ve spent working hard—proof that I’m capable of giving myself fully to the things I love. Those dark undereyes? They’re small trophies of dedication, nights when I pushed through, building something meaningful. And that gummy smile? It’s my favorite. It’s what my friends and family see across a table during long coffee dates, where laughter flows and love quietly settles in between conversations. Even my yellow teeth are a sign that I’ve lived those small, joyful moments.

I used to hate being tall. I’d slouch more just to feel smaller. But now, I see it differently. Being tall means I can reach for anything I want—literally and figuratively. My unproportionate body lets me enjoy food without guilt, savoring every bite of what my heart desires. My neck lines? They’re lines of time, of wisdom, of a woman who’s lived and learned. This uneven skintone I earned because I am able to run, hike, go outside. A proof that my body is able.

It’s funny how age softens things—not just your face, but also your heart. I used to chase perfection so fiercely that I forgot how to be kind to myself. Now, I’m learning to look in the mirror and smile, not because I see perfection, but because I see me.

So what if I have bad posture? So what if I’m too tall, or my smile shows a little too much gum? I’ve got more personality, more heart, and more life than the younger Jhana who used to crave perfection. Maybe that’s the quiet magic of wabi-sabi that's why I love this word so much—it teaches me to appreciate and love myself even more.