In a world obsessed with balance and symmetry, the charm of living asymmetrically often goes unnoticed. Living an asymmetric life typically means embracing uniqueness, individuality, and non-conformity in your lifestyle choices. It involves breaking away from traditional norms. It’s about daring to be different, crafting your unique path, and pursuing a life that resonates with your deepest values and desires. But what if embracing asymmetry could lead to a richer, more fulfilling life?

1. Understanding Asymmetry in Life

Firstly, let's debunk a myth:

"Asymmetric doesn't mean imbalanced; it means finding harmony in the uneven, the unaligned, and the unconventional."

Symmetry reflects mirroring, a balance that’s equal on both sides. Asymmetry, on the other hand, focuses on elements that are unmatched yet still achieve a harmonious whole. A concept of recognising beauty in imperfection through every nook and cranny of life. Living asymmetrically also reminds us that there is great beauty in the uneven, like the Japanese art known as Kintsugi; where broken pottery is mended with powdered-gold lacquer, giving them “golden scars” on the broken pieces. Wouldn’t that ‘scar’ make them imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed, but somehow, more beautiful?

Example of a Kintsugi bowl

2. Benefits of Living Asymmetrically

Promotes Creativity: Ditching the cookie-cutter approach helps you think outside the box. An asymmetric life can be a fertile ground for creativity. You have the freedom to explore your creative side, whether through art, writing, entrepreneurship, or other forms of self-expression.

Enhances Adaptability: Life's unpredictable. Embracing asymmetry makes you more resilient and adaptable. Hence, flexibility is the key. Your path may not always be a straight line, and that's okay. Embrace change, and be willing to adjust your plans as you grow and evolve. Learn from your experiences and adapt accordingly.

Nurtures Individuality: Celebrate your unique quirks and traits, rather than conforming to societal norms. To live an asymmetric life, you must be prepared to step away from societal norms and expectations. It's perfectly fine to choose a path that deviates from the so-called 'normal.' Your individuality is your strength. 

3. Practical Steps to Lead an Asymmetric Life

Re-evaluate Success Metrics: Don't be bound by traditional measures of success. Your path may be winding, but it's still valid. In an asymmetric life, it's crucial to prioritize what truly matters. Take the time to reflect and distinguish between your essential values and commitments and those that don't align with your aspirations. As you dive deeper, you will realize that your definition of success might not necessarily resonate with societal norms.

             Perhaps winning 3rd place is already a great success!

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Mix and Match Routines: Break the monotony. If you're a night owl today, be an early bird tomorrow. Embrace the shift and be prepared to step outside of the comfort zone. Being able to challenge conventional lifestyles and societal norms can infuse a sense of excitement and curiosity into your daily existence.

Celebrate Non-traditional Milestones: First solo trip? First time trying exotic cuisine? It's all noteworthy! As you progress along your asymmetric journey, don't forget to celebrate your achievements. Acknowledge your milestones to stay motivated and remind yourself of your progress no matter how weird, unconventional or unique your experience is!

4. Finding Inspiration in the Asymmetrical    

Look into nature. Trees don't grow symmetrically, yet they stand tall and beautiful. Similarly, embrace your natural growth, however asymmetric it may be.

In the office culture at Mereka, the embrace of an asymmetric lifestyle serves to foster creativity and individuality among employees. Rather than adhering to rigid corporate norms, Mereka employees have the freedom to choose flexible work hours, work remotely, or even adapt unconventional workspaces within the office to best suit their productivity and comfort. This cool approach of asymmetric lifestyle in work culture helps to promote work-life balance, sense of empowerment, innovative thinking and inclusivity, where employees are allowed to be their true selves at work, bringing additional value in the workplace. 

Living an asymmetric life is not about embracing chaos, but rather recognizing the beauty in life’s undulating patterns. It's time to step out of the straight line and dance in life’s wonderful zigzags. As you embrace your asymmetry, remember that you are the author of your own story, and it's up to you to make it an exceptional and authentic one.

"Perfection is static, even boring. Your imperfections, variations, quirks, and constant evolutions make you fascinating." - Gurpreet Singh, CEO of Mereka

Ready to embrace your uniqueness? Start living asymmetrically today! Follow our socials to explore more asymmetric projects in Mereka!