One phrase I learned while living in Japan for a year has helped me become a more flexible, laid-back person

After many situations where things didn't go according to plan, I started to embrace letting things go. Courtesy of Alessa Hickman I've embraced the Japanese concept of "shōganai," or accepting that some things can't be helped. My husband and I use the phrase to brush off late buses, bad weather, and other daily frustrations. As an overthinker who loves a plan , the concept of shōganai helps me be flexible and let things go. Picture me, hungry (and hangry), scrolling through Google Maps for a local spot to try. I find a restaurant that looks good, see that it's open, and think, perfect, let's go. Twenty minutes later, I confidently walk up to the door, only to find the place magically closed. This has happened to me so many times since moving to Japan that I've lost count.