T
hanks to the innovative and practical lifestyle hacks that seem to come out of Japan every second, netizens have concluded that the Japanese are living in 2050. No jokes, it’s as though they’ve created a solution for even the most mundane challenge the rest of the world still grapples with, including instant ice cream! So what makes the Japanese better? Simple: their cultural code that forces them to develop habits to improve their lives and that of others. With 2024 in full view, it’s time to take inspiration from Japanese society to develop habits for success that can set you up for an exceptional year.
Check out 9 Japanese habits for success you need for an amazing year ahead…
#1. Kintsugi – Fixing the cracks with gold
Imagine your cracking your favorite mug. Do you throw it away or painstakingly try to hide the flaws? The Japanese art of Kintsugi poetically embraces imperfections. Broken pottery is repaired with lacquer resin dusted with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Here, the goal is to make the cracks sparkle instead of hiding them.
Oh, how this applies to life! Our struggles and failures shouldn’t be hidden out of shame because they are a part of life’s journey. In 2024, how about mending some emotional cracks from last year with a sprinkle of optimistic gold dust as we stand tall in our glorious imperfections? What do you say?
#2. The green tea tradition
Green tea is quintessentially Japanese. Beyond its antioxidants and health benefits, the ritual of steeping and sipping green tea allows you to pause the rush. Unlike our daily routine of grabbing Starbucks while driving to work, making tea by hand according to Japanese tradition — from pouring hot water to whisking gently — demands mindfulness. Tranquility steps into your soul with each sip, providing a mental cleansing on par with a detox juice cleanse. Say yes to more meditation as the fragrant vapor caresses your senses. This year, rather than investing more in scented candles, gulp down more cups of tea.
#3. Hara hachi bun me – Eat till 80
You must have heard of this Japanese mantra to stop eating when you are 80. No, it doesn’t mean to keep eating until you’re 80 years old. Hara Hachi bu is a Japanese philosophy that simply involves tuning into your stomach’s signals to stop eating once you’re 80% full. It helps explain why obesity rates are so low in Japan.
Overstuffing deprives us of comfort and leaden lethargy replaces lightness. Make 2024 the year of balanced fullness. Stay active and keep some space in your tummy with smaller portions. No more slumping into the sofa groaning with fullness as you binge on Netflix. Not this new year.
#4. Ikigai – Discover your reason for being
Ikigai refers to your life’s purpose — the sweet spot where your talent meets passion, resulting in a satisfying career that also resonates with the world’s needs. Discovering this requires deep contemplation and soul searching, especially in a chaotic world filled with deadlines and urgencies.
Take time out for some serious soul-searching on what truly lights you up within. This might seem indulgent, but it will enhance satisfaction and motivation. Delve into your creative core and shape a future driven by inner Ikigai. If you indulge in this Japanese habit for success, your life will change significantly.
#5. Shinrin-Yoku – Nature immersion therapy
Do you want an instant mood booster without drugs or devices? The Japanese practice “Shinrin-yoku,” which translates to forest bathing, offers that. This practice means a rejuvenating walk among greenery and nature. It’s a moving meditation that activates your senses — the smell of damp earth, dappled light through leaves, birdsong, and rustling grass underfoot — for a relaxing experience. Forest bathing leads to elevated moods, enhanced immunity, and reduced stress through heightened natural cell activity.
#6. Kotodama – The power of spoken words
Japanese culture gives spoken words the utmost importance. Once uttered, they are considered impervious to modifications. Words possess the power to heal or hurt and should be treated responsibly. Perhaps you should apply this code of honor to your communication in 2024. Don’t let terrible words and half-meant phrases slip out unconsciously. One of the ways to hop on this Japanese habit is to filter your speech and uplift people with encouragement. Let’s level up talks and spread sunshine.
#7. Arigato – Cultivating gratitude
Ever wondered why the Japanese bow so frequently? It’s an external sign of inner gratitude. Appreciating even the most mundane matters with a beginner’s mind is key to contentment. This ancient philosophy of thanksgiving invites us to see beauty in small joys again, instead of getting trapped in privilege blindness. You can start by regularly writing thank-you notes.
#8. Wa – Prioritize social circles
Although individualism is on the rise in Japan nowadays, interconnectedness is still paramount in Japanese culture. People derive emotional and practical support from various social circles, like friends, relatives, colleagues, and neighbors. Studies have shown that loneliness leads to early mortality, so let strong social connections be your New Year’s resolution. Nurture community bonds that comfort and uplift you and reach out with authenticity to foster long-lasting connections. Yes, invest in people and the returns will surprise you.
#9. Danshari – Create an oasis of calm
With limited living spaces in urban Japan, people still manage to carve out clean minimalist retreats at homes — like zen gardens meeting modernity. Haven’t we accumulated way more clutter than required to feel comfortable all in the name of luxury living? This year, you can take a different approach to life by owning less (but higher quality) items. This frees your environment of visual noise pollution and creates soothing spaces that allow your best self to emerge.
Featured image: @andrea.oi/Instagram
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