Dear Diary, 

Have you ever heard of the concept of wabi-sabi? I’ve been hearing this strange word all over Japan so I finally called Qu and asked what's the big deal about wabi-sabi? Well, believe me, it was pretty life changing. He said wabi-sabi is this Japanese aesthetic that celebrates imperfection and transience. It's all about finding beauty in the natural cycle of growth and decay, embracing the flawed, the worn-out, the weathered. 

I mean, think about it. In a world that's constantly bombarding us with images of perfection and Instagram filters, wabi-sabi is like a breath of fresh air. It's about appreciating the cracks in the sidewalk, the chipped teacup, the wrinkles on your grandma's face. It's about seeing the beauty in the raw and the real. And It's not just about physical imperfections. Wabi-sabi extends to our attitudes and outlook on life too. It's about embracing the ups and downs, the messy moments, the mistakes we make along the way. Because let's face it, life isn't perfect, and trying to pretend otherwise just leads to a whole lot of stress and disappointment.

I feel like wabi-sabi is giving me permission to let go of this unrealistic quest for perfection and just be okay with being me. Flaws and all. It's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and suddenly, everything feels a little bit lighter, a little bit more beautiful. Here's to celebrating the imperfect, the fleeting, the beautifully flawed. 

Because in the end, that's what makes life so interesting, isn't it?

Xoxo, 

Maria