What is ikigai?
The beauty of living abroad and learning another language is that it opens the door to concepts that are not found in your native tongue. One such concept, ikigai (pronounced ee-key-gah-ee), can radically alter the way you view your life. Ikigai can best be defined as raison d’être, or reason for being. It’s what gets you out of bed in the morning, rain or shine. I know that I have searched on and off my entire life for this elusive “purpose.” Sometimes, I would feel I was on the right rack, and so each day I was extremely motivated. But then when that course changed, my motivation waned.
Well, ikigai is more than just finding your purpose in life. It’s finding that extra special component of your life that keeps you going no matter what comes your way. It wasn’t until I really came to understand ikigai that I realized I no longer need to search for my purpose in life. And I no longer need that motivation to show up in order to face life’s challenges. Thanks to ikigai, instead of wasting time contemplating what I should be doing with my life, I am living it.
What are the 4 pillars of ikigai?
Ikigai was described as having 4 pillars in the groundbreaking book entitled Ikigai:The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles. They interviewed centenarians in the rural town of Ogimi in Okinawa, Japan. And what they proposed was a straightforward way to discover your ikigai and create a daily routine that is consistent with your purpose in life.
Just as there are 4 syllables to the word, there are 4 pillars to this important concept. The 4 pillars are what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
This diagram can be taken a step further to reveal to you what your passion, mission, vocation, and ultimately your profession could be. If you consider doing both what you love and what you are good at, then that is something you will have a natural passion to do. If what you love addresses a need within society, consider it a mission. If you are getting paid for a much needed service, then it’s a vocation. But if it’s what you are good at, consider making it your profession. When all areas seen in the diagram overlap, then you have determined your ikigai or purpose in life.
However, I feel that Erin Niimi Longhurst explains it best in her book, A Little Book of Japanese Contentments. She explains that we all know what makes us happy; however, most of us undervalue how that act could play a major role in what gets us out of bed in the morning. Your ikigai does not have to be your occupation. It could be taking care of aging parents, raising your children, tending to a community garden, and so much more. She writes, “If you think of your life as a flower, then your ikigai is the center, and is what holds it all together. The beauty of the flower comes from the sum of its parts: how beautiful the petals all look together. But individually, each petal represents a different facet in your life, and the things that transcend or tie them all together.”
What are some examples of ikigai?
Here are examples of ikigai. I want to give you an idea of the variety of ways you can define your purpose in life. And I will include my own example below.
- Marta:
- Passion: Marta loves working with animals, finding joy and fulfillment in their company.
- Vocation: She has a talent for training and caring for animals, which she believes contributes positively to the world.
- Profession: Marta works as a certified dog trainer, earning a living doing what she loves.
- Mission: Her mission is to improve the well-being of pets and their owners through effective training methods.
- Carlos:
- Passion: Carlos is deeply passionate about environmental sustainability and conservation.
- Vocation: With a background in environmental science, he possesses the skills and knowledge to address environmental issues.
- Profession: Carlos works for a non-profit organization focused on sustainable development, aligning his job with his passion.
- Mission: His mission is to contribute to a healthier planet and raise awareness about sustainable living.
- Elena:
- Passion: Elena has a love for storytelling and connecting with people through narratives.
- Vocation: She is a skilled writer and communicator, possessing the ability to craft compelling stories.
- Profession: Elena works as a content creator for a digital marketing agency, turning her passion into a career.
- Mission: Her mission is to inspire and engage audiences through meaningful and authentic storytelling.
If you think of your life as a flower, then your ikigai is the center, and is what holds it all together. The beauty of the flower comes from the sum of its parts: how beautiful the petals all look together. But individually, each petal represents a different facet in your life, and the things that transcend or tie them all together.
-Erin Niimi Longhurst
Hiroko Igaki’s Ikigai
I met Hiroko over 10 years ago in a small city in southern Japan, when I was a recent college graduate eager to travel the world. My dear friend was gracious enough to share her ikigai with me. It was so beautiful that I asked her permission to write it here. It’s just another great example of how an ikigai can be anything that brings meaning to your life.
- Passion: “I have a traditional house that my grandfather got 80 years ago. I think I should take care [of it] and pass [it] on to Ryo and Ayuko. When I think about it, I feel happy and [that it’s] my destiny.”
- Mission: Pressing and passing on the cultural heritage and family history through upkeep of traditional family home, thereby creating a sense of continuity and connection for future generations.
- Vocation: Daily care and maintenance of home, nurturing a place with a welcoming atmosphere for family.
- Profession: Skills acquired in maintaining a traditional home is valued in her community and abroad. Hiroko has a dream of opening a guest house for international travelers to experience the traditional Japanese way of living.
Hiroko’s daily ikigai involves cherishing the memory of her recently deceased husband, Nobuo, and living the life he would want for her. She says, “My daily ikigai is to talk to Nobuo. He likes my smile, so I’m always smiling to everyone.” Her daily ikigai brings happiness and positivity, which is why she is such a cherished member of her community. Hiroko’s ikigai blends caring for her family’s heritage, fostering postive connections, and finding joy in daily interactions.
My Ikigai
- Passion: I am passionate about promoting mental health and well-being.
- Vocation: With a background in medicine, I have the skills to help others navigate their mental health challenges.
- Profession: I work as a mental health and wellness coach, providing support and guidance to individuals in need.
- Mission: My mission is to destigmatize mental health issues and contribute to a more mentally healthy society.
My Daily Routine
AM
- Mindful Reflection (Mission): I start my day with a moment of mindfulness, usually a deep breathing exercise like boxed breathing. I envision how I can show up for my loved ones and make a positive impact through coaching before I do anything else, including checking my phone!
- Connect with Family (Passion): I spend quality time with my family before we all disperse to school or work.
- Work and Coaching Sessions (Profession & Vocation): Before diving into work, I set professional intentions for the day using my bullet journal. Then, I engage in coaching sessions and work tasks.
- Connect with a Friend (Passion): I schedule a moment to connect with a friend usually during lunch because I love being a source of support for others. And my friends are so supportive of me as well! I find maintaining meaningful relationships energizes me for the rest of the day.
PM
- Quality Family Time (Passion): I dedicate time after work to my family. It’s important to me that we eat home-cooked meals together, so I am often preparing meals and watching my son play in the backyard.
- Self-Care(Passion): Once my son is asleep, I either do me-time or do a virtual exercise session with my sisters, aunt, and mom.
- Gratitude Practice (Mission): Before bedtime, I express gratitude for the meaningful moments of the day. Then, I burn palo santo to clear my space of negative energy.
Here’s a FREE exercise sheet and simple schedule for you to create your own daily ikigai routine!
I have a traditional house that my grandfather got 80 years ago. I think I should take care [of it] and pass [it] on to Ryo and Ayuko. When I think about it, I feel happy and [that it’s] my destiny.
Hiroko Igaki
Discover Your Ikigai
In 2019, the World Health Organization reported that Japan is leading the world in life expectancy. It’s no surprise that with a practice of ikigai combined with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle that Japan is leading the charts. Just remember that your ikigai will be revealed to you as you acquire more life experience. So do not stress and do not rush the process. Allow your ikigai to reveal itself in due course.
