Six Regenerative Life Practices for Living Well
What does it take to actually live well?
Many of us ask this question when seeking to improve our health, careers, and personal lives. The deeper question is: How do we find that balance between constant improvement and being content with what we have?
In our quest to learn about the Regenerative Life areas worldwide, we've applied our observations to the six Japanese principles of finding success and living well, where we can strive for improvement while finding joy and fulfillment in the present moment.
Principle #1: Ikigai
Finding and living your purpose
"When you know your purpose, there's no need to think or worry about it. This is how you show up to the course of your life." - Ric Scalzo, founder of Kokora
Having a clear life purpose or Dharma (in Ayurveda) removes any sense of questioning so many of us face in this modern day, giving us a crystal clear plan of what our life is meant to be.
Ric Scalzo, founder of Kokora, traveled the world visiting Regenerative Life areas and found a common trend: everybody he encountered had an unwavering life purpose.
"It's not something that they think about a lot – it's just something that is inscribed in their life," says Ric. "From here, their life flows, and this becomes their purpose. They're not worried about doing something else. They're not worried about starting a different career. They're only concerned about the flow part of their purpose and keeping it in motion. It brings them sustenance and joy."
When we become clear on our purpose, we feel lightness because we know who we are and what we identify as on this planet. From this place of knowing and being authentic to who we are, we can truly be in service to others because we are serving ourselves first.
Principle #2: Kaizen
Infusing order and structure
There's an expression in physics: entropy sets in if you do not infuse order or structure into a system. This is the principle that to succeed in life, you must infuse order and routine to reach your goals.
In Ayurveda, it’s called Dinacharya, which means “a daily routine.”
We see rules, structure, and routines in nature every day: the sun rises and sets at a certain time, and the seasons change at similar moments every year. It is within this structure and routine that life is created and maintained.
Kaizen can be applied to areas of life that need improvement: What routines, rituals, and disciplined actions can we take every single day to lead us to our goal?
This concept emphasizes taking one step at a time and creating order in life to get closer to our Ikigai. Whether that means going to bed by 10 p.m. or working on a new project for one hour every day, Kaizen emphasizes small and meaningful steps to achieve success.
Principle #3: Pomodoro Technique
Finding a balance of rest and activity
Our modern culture promotes constant productivity – but nature says otherwise. At any given moment, actions of stillness and dynamism are happening – from the tides' movement to the passing of day and night. Without this balance of rest and activity, we put ourselves in a distressed state where our bodies become overworked. Instead, prioritizing rest and activity as equally important makes us feel more nurtured and motivated to tackle life's more significant accomplishments. The Pomodoro Technique emphasizes that stillness and dynamism MUST coexist for new creations to emerge.
Try this: The 20/5 Rule
The 20/5 rule is a great example of a balanced approach to rest and activity. Work intensely for 20 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. During this break, get up, stretch, drink water, and practice deep breathing. This structured method helps prevent burnout and overwhelm while actually boosting your productivity.
Principle #4 Harahachi Bu
Eating to 80 percent full
The Japanese know how not to overstress their digestive system. Many do this by eating mindfully – using bowls rather than plates – and putting away all extra food in the refrigerator before they start to eat, which makes it harder to get seconds. This helps them be more present and aware of their food intake so they can recognize when they're almost full – the time to stop eating! This practice supports Agni, our digestive fire, so we do not overtax our bodies and keep things moving optimally.
Principle #5: Shoshin
Starting everyday brand new
Think about when you first wake up in the morning: what are your initial thoughts and feelings? Do you feel a sense of dread or negativity, or are you eager and excited to see what the day will bring? Shoshin dives into the latter, encouraging people to go about their lives with a sense of childlike wonder – inviting curiosity and playfulness into every day. This is the concept that each new day will teach us something if we're willing to be open and learn. It invites us to approach our daily routines with a fresh attitude while finding joy in the mundane. Finally, Shoshin invites us to change our mindset about our daily lives, which eventually leads to greater success and happiness.
Principle #6: Wabi Sabi
Letting go of perfectionism
Our modern culture thrives at goal setting and reaching milestones. However, there’s not much out there that offers what to do if we don't reach our goals – what if we’re 90 percent there? Will we celebrate the 90 percent or dwell on the 10 percent that didn't get done? Wabi Sabi says that life is inherently imperfect, and that's what makes it beautiful. While it's essential to strive to do better every day, we, at some point, need to let go. We need to let go of unrealistic expectations, the things that didn't work out in life, and let go if things don't go exactly as planned—for these unexpected twists and turns are what make life worth living.
The concept of Wabi Sabi asks: what if who we are now is who we are meant to be in this life? What if we didn't need to change ourselves constantly?
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What principle spoke to you the most, and what practices or mindset tools are you excited to try? If this blog post sparked your curiosity, explore our other Regenerative Life blog posts for tips on living a healthy, vibrant life!
