In the summer of 2017 after a series of difficult experiences, I decided to make some changes in all aspect of my life. Along with the typical diet, health and physical changes, I was also craving mindset shifts. I wanted to get back to reading more books, spending time out in nature and also being more present in all areas of my life without the stress of being perfect at everything that I was doing.
Around the same time I found a book called Wabi-Sabi Welcome: Learning to embrace the imperfect and entertain with thoughtfulness and ease by Julie Pointer Adams during a random Amazon search and based purely on the name and aesthetics of the cover decided to buy it right before a long summer break to India. I remember the book came a few days before I was traveling so in it went, package unopened, into my suitcase. Fast forward a few weeks later and one morning, chai in hand, siting outdoors with a view of the mighty Himalayas, I finally opened the packet and started reading.
I immediately fell in love with everything in the book. The stories, the images and narratives just blew me away. Who was this lady and how did she know that her message of learning to recognize the beauty of imperfection and embracing it wholeheartedly was exactly what I needed to hear at that time. Through the pages and her experiences, she talked about the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi that honors the beauty of natural imperfections and a life of chosen simplicity. She talked about how we can welcome people into our homes and lives in a more relaxed and fulfilling way so that we can form genuine connections with a sense of warmth, comfort, and ease. Her words and her encouragement to enjoy life, people and nature gave me so much hope.
So I did what every doting fan does – I wrote to Julie. Imagine my surprise when she wrote back and was every bit as sweet as I imagined her to be based on her book. We kept in touch over the years – rather I did and Julie always wrote back to me. So when I asked Julie to be a guest on the CulturallyOurs podcast, I was beyond thrilled that she said yes.
Formally trained as an artist, maker, and writer, Julie began her career working at Kinfolk and has had extensive experience making beautiful concepts come to life. Influenced by her California upbringing and lifelong travels abroad, Julie’s work is warm, simple, human-centered, and approachable. Her book is a perfect example of this where she takes us on a global journey to meet and hang out with people all around the world as a way to connect with each other – whether in their home or around their table, enjoying a meal.
Through our chat, Julie shares her own life journey, what wabi-sabi means to her, the people who have influenced her life through the course of the book as well as how wabi-sabi makes its way into all aspects of her day – work, motherhood and just life in general.
I am so excited to welcome Julie Pointer Adams to the podcast and I know you are going to enjoy listening Julie on this episode of CulturallyOurs.
{Photos by Julie Pointer Adams, Website : Julie Pointer Adams}
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