As we approach the end of the year – and all the parties and family gatherings the festive period brings – we have a hack for maintaining your sanity: the Japanese philosophy of Iyashikei. A prioritisation of returning to simple pleasures, tranquility and slowing down, instead of viewing solitude as something we must always fight against, it celebrates its restorative qualities and invites you to enjoy your own company guilt-free. Here’s everything you need to know – and how to incorporate it into your daily life.
What is Iyashikei?
In Japanese, the term “Iyashikei” means “something that feels good”, an aesthetic which revolves around soothing, comforting and healing the mind and body. It was originally associated with a specific genre of manga and anime, one which centres on contemplative narratives, scenes of everyday life, and small, ordinary joys, over plot twists, tension and drama. Within the Iyashikei worldview, you simply observe life as it unfolds, following the rhythm of the seasons, chance encounters and moments of calm. It’s a gentle, almost therapeutic narrative which urges us to slow down and enjoy a respite from the frenzy of the outside world.
Applied to your everyday life, practicing the art of Iyashikei means not living at breakneck speed and flaunting every achievement, but leaning into a less cluttered existence full of small pleasures you can enjoy alone. It’s about redefining your relationship with time: instead of measuring it in checked-off tasks and hours which frantically slip away, it’s about feeling it stretch out; savouring it and giving it the space to return to its own natural rhythm. Slowness needn’t be synonymous with boredom – it’s about being in the moment and giving these ordinary moments their due. Thus, solitude becomes not a void to be filled, but a space of one’s own in which you can refocus on your wellbeing.
How to practice Iyashikei
Put your phone in another room, pick up a book, cook yourself a cosy meal or take a long, screen-free bath. Sometimes the simplest things can be the most restorative.
Choose a picturesque route and put your headphones away – this is about taking in your surroundings, not drowning it out with podcasts or music.
Solo dining can be great fun. Choose somewhere that feels like a real treat, and leave the Kindle/books/magazines/potential distractions and shields at home. You’ll find yourself savouring your meal in a completely different way.
Relish the pleasure of coming home after work without having a single activity planned. Festive season can sometimes feel relentless, so fully enjoying and cherishing these pockets of calm becomes more important than ever.