On Wabi-Sabi

We learned another new word: wabi-sabi (n.), a Japanese term for the beauty in imperfection. 

As you might notice from prior vocabulary adoptions (see: psithurism and hygge), we like adopting words for the Midwest, so we're adopting wabi-sabi too.

Despite what all the images on this site would lead you to believe, the Midwest is far from perfect, but it is beautiful. And the imperfection of it all is what makes it interesting.

Our batshit crazy weather is an easy example — almost too easy. There's this collective sense of pride after surviving a spring blizzard or making it through that one week in August where everyone's sweat is sweating. The highs and lows of our absurdly unbalanced climate keep us balanced somehow, bonding us together season after season. That's a pretty beautiful thing when you really think about it. A wabi-sabi thing.

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Words by Annie D'Souza
Photo by Taylor Frechette