Akiko and border collie Emma waving to the camera

Hello, friends! I’m Akiko Tamano, and I’d like to welcome you to my blog, Beauty Lessons.

Why Beauty Lessons?

In a nutshell, Beauty Lessons was conceived from the idea that we can find beauty in the seemingly insignificant moments of our daily lives, the ordinary objects that surround us, the commonplace experiences that comprise our world; and from that beauty, we can glean valuable lessons that offer a much-needed antidote to the stresses of modern life. I founded this blog to help you learn from the beauty of the everyday and to discover its transformative power. You can read more about my philosophy of beauty lessons in my introductory post.

Are beauty lessons for you? They could be, if you’re struggling to keep up with the demands of your hectic lifestyle; suffering from stress, anxiety, or illness; or simply want to live with more purpose and intention.

About me

If you can identify with the need for beauty lessons, I’ve been in your shoes. During my twenty-plus years working in the corporate world, I often felt overwhelmed by stress and exhaustion. I was dissatisfied and wondered how to bring more meaning to my life. But in 2015, by what in hindsight was a stroke of good fortune, I was laid off, which gave me the opportunity to think deeply about what matters most to me and how I want to experience life. It was then I realized that the key, for me, was to shift my focus to the previously unseen beauty in my world and attune myself to its lessons—to listen for the still, small voice in the midst of all the shouting. I’m still grappling with how to do this, but so far, I can honestly say that I am more content, more grateful, more at peace—I’m becoming a new person.

So here I am, sharing the scraps of my own life that offer up beauty lessons to me, in the hope that you’ll be encouraged and inspired to study your own lessons.

A little about me: I’m married with a fur kid, a border collie named Emma, who makes me smile and laugh every day. I’m passionate about the written word—I fell in love with books at the tender age of five, and I’ve been devouring them ever since—and I’m learning to be a writer and editor. A few of the simple pleasures I take delight in include

  • taking leisurely walks with my family on crisp autumn days
  • having “conversations” with my dog through positive reinforcement training techniques
  • harmonizing with my church choir
  • doing yoga at the library
  • making messes in my kitchen while experimenting with new recipes
  • curling up with a good book, a cup of green tea, and a square of dark chocolate with almonds

Border collie Emma jumping up to touch Akiko's hand

I’m also fascinated by neuroscience, holistic healthcare, and sustainable agriculture. As you can see, my interests are pretty wide ranging, and you may see posts from me about any and all of these subjects.

And although I live quietly and enjoy having time to myself to reflect and recharge, it’s also important to me to connect with a community of people who care about the little things in life. So I hope you’ll stick around here and join in conversation with me.

Connect with me

You can get my latest posts delivered straight to your inbox by entering your e-mail address in the box to the right; and if you have any questions or feedback, please get in touch. I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for visiting!

I’m so thankful that you took the time to check out Beauty Lessons, and I hope you’ll leave here feeling supported, understood, and inspired to seek out your own beauty lessons. Happy learning!