Lifestyle

How to incorporate Kanso, a Japanese practice, into your life

How to incorporate Kanso, a Japanese practice, into your life

By Kajal Sharma - 04 Dec 2025 06:07 PM

Life may be quite noisy at times; with so many notifications, hectic schedules, and things stacking up all around us, it's simple to feel overburdened. This is where Kanso, a Japanese concept, comes into play. Kanso is fundamentally about simplicity. However, it's more important to make room for the things that really count than to just have less.Zen philosophy and traditional Japanese design are the origins of kanso. Wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection and transience, is based on this fundamental idea. In particular, Kanso emphasises reducing things to their most basic components. Just a serene, tidy, and well-considered design—no frills, clutter, or distractions.

How to use Kanso in your daily life Kanso isn't just for your house. It's also a mindset. Consider it this way: Kanso encourages you to slow down and concentrate on just one thing—well, the correct thing—instead of juggling ten things at once and feeling overwhelmed. "Do you really need that extra task, object, or noise?" it asks. Natural light, wood textures, muted hues, and a few key pieces may all be found in a Kanso-inspired space. Nothing ostentatious, just deliberate. Making things feel serene is more important than making them appear "perfect." The objective is not to live without joy or beauty, but to get go of things that are superfluous.Using Kanso in your daily life could entail organising your workspace, reducing distractions, or even streamlining your time management. It doesn't have to be extreme. Making small decisions like choosing presence over pressure and clarity over clutter can have a significant impact. Kanso serves as a kind reminder that sometimes the most serene things are the most straightforward.

 

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