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In life, it’s imperfection that makes people and living unique. The philosophy of embracing imperfection is a major part of the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi, which centers upon acceptance and appreciation of the imperfect.
This school of thought is now part of a TikTok trend, where creators show their imperfections and label them “Wabi Sabi,” according to Fast Company. From people celebrating crooked teeth and aquiline noses, the trend is a step in the direction of more self-love.
How to Do the Wabi Sabi TikTok Trend
The trend is all about finding the beauty in imperfection, and celebrates gentle changes that come with time. But how did so many people get introduced to the concept? Sound from the show “The King of the Hill” went viral on TikTok, introducing many people to the term. In the clip the character Bobby Hill picks up a rose and announces, “I like how mine’s a little off-center. It’s got wabi-sabi.”
TikTok has been flooded with videos of people showing off what makes them perfectly imperfect along with the audio track. The sound from the show has now been featured in around half a million videos.
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Wabi Sabi and the Beauty of Authenticity
In a world filled with unrealistic beauty standards, the trend is positive. Amid filters and curated moments, Wabi Sabi represents a powerful shift from perfection culture to what’s real, the Times of India reports. Whether it’s through lots of laughter, hugging someone closely, healing following heartbreak, or making new friends over time, the trend encourages truth instead of performance.
Social media users are now using Wabi Sabi to show connections that aren’t flawless, but meaningful. Videos show long-distance partners, becoming close after friendship challenges, and losing loved ones. The trend is also healing amid social media comparison. It illustrates that relationships can be messy and the journey of healing can take time. It’s also transforming content and the intention behind sharing. Heavy edits are now being replaced by raw moments, and emotions take precedence instead of performance.
Wabi Sabi is also a welcome change for many. Influencers who previously posted picture-perfect moments are now opening up about what life is really like. Many describe the experience as freeing, with comments including “I needed this reminder” and “I feel less alone now” appearing on posts.
What makes the trend valuable is its lessons. It teaches that relationships don’t need to appear to be perfect to be rich in meaning. Wabi Sabi also offers a powerful reminder that life’s beauty comes from authenticity, not perfection.
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