Ankur Warikoo's guide to 2026: 5 Japanese philosophies for strength, peace, and growth

As 2025 winds down and we prepare to welcome 2026, many of us are thinking about growth, resilience, and the lessons the past year has taught us. Ankur Warikoo, the popular entrepreneur and content creator, shared five Japanese philosophies on LinkedIn that can help carry strength, peace, and clarity into the new year. These timeless principles focus on accepting change, learning from setbacks, embracing your own journey, finding meaningful pauses, and letting go of what’s beyond your control.

Mujo

Warikoo’s first philosophy is Mujo, which highlights impermanence. Everything is constantly changing, reminding us to live fully in the present rather than clinging to the past or worrying about the future. Recognising this fluidity can reduce stress and help focus on what truly matters in daily life.

Nanakorobi Yaoki

Next is Nanakorobi Yaoki, which translates to fall again and again, but next time rise stronger. It emphasises resilience, teaching that setbacks are lessons, not failures. Life isn’t about avoiding challenges but finding the strength to rise each time we are knocked down, building character and perseverance.

Oubaitori

Oubaitori focuses on individuality. Like flowers blooming in their own time, people follow unique paths. This principle encourages avoiding comparisons and instead appreciating personal growth at one’s own pace, nurturing confidence and self-acceptance.

Ma

Ma is about the meaningful space between things. It’s the pause where presence meets absence, silence shapes sound, and emptiness highlights beauty. These gaps allow for reflection, balance, and mental clarity, reminding us that stillness is just as important as action.

Shikata Ga Nai

Finally, Shikata Ga Nai, which Ankur Warikoo described as “nothing can be done about it.” It teaches acceptance of situations beyond our control with grace. Letting go doesn’t mean giving up—it means choosing peace over frustration, reducing stress, and focusing energy on what can be changed.

Warikoo highlighted that these principles are perfect tools for reflecting on the year gone by, recognising unseen efforts, and entering 2026 with a mindful, resilient mindset. He asked followers which of these philosophies they plan to carry forward, emphasising that small shifts in perspective can lead to a fuller, more balanced life.