Embracing Ikigai | Wisdom For Personal Growth And A Fulfilling Life
Learn about ikigai and discover how you can integrate it into your everyday routine and way of living to experience personal growth and fulfillment.
Hey there! Ever heard of ikigai? It’s a Japanese concept with a widely known reference to finding purpose and meaning in one’s life. Maybe you’ve heard people talk about it but aren’t quite sure what it means, how it relates to growth and fulfillment, or how it can make your life better. Well, I’m here to help! This article lays out what ikigai is in simple terms, helping you discover what truly brings you joy and purpose. It also serves as a guide on how you can incorporate this philosophy in your life, making it more fulfilling and happy. So, let’s delve into it and explore how you can start living your best life with ikigai!
What Is Ikigai
Ikigai, a Japanese term, means doing something that brings value and happiness to your life, making each day worthwhile. Something worthwhile does not necessarily mean achieving big goals. It can also be about finding joy in the little things in life. Making someone smile, small acts that make you or others happy, or contributing to the greater good can all be considered your ikigai. Its literal meaning is doing anything that makes you feel fulfilled and brings meaning to your life.
Ikigai = One True Purpose In Life?
Ikigai has become a buzzword for finding your life’s purpose, suggesting that you need to discover that one thing to feel that your life has meaning. This concept suggests that everyone has a unique purpose in life, and once you discover it, success and happiness will follow. And that you can find your purpose in life in something that satisfies these four areas: your passion, vocation, mission, and profession. It’s about finding what you’re good at, what you enjoy and inspires you, and what helps society while earning a living.
It makes sense because knowing what you want, what your goals are can help motivate and fulfill you. Continuous effort is vital for progress in life, leading not only to tangible achievements but also to the discovery of meaning along the journey. There’s a well-known analogy likening life to riding a bicycle. Just as one must keep pedaling to maintain balance, so too must we persist in our efforts to navigate the complexities of existence and find our purpose. So it naturally follows that if you can find and do something that satisfies all these four areas, it should theoretically increase your chances of finding meaning and fulfillment. But on the flip side, what it also implies is that if you don’t find this calling, you’ll struggle and feel unsatisfied in life. Taking a step back, is it really true that everyone needs one purpose in life to be happy and fulfilled?
Ikigai Can Evolve Over Time
Also, some may interpret ikigai as a single unchanging purpose in life. That it’s one specific thing you have to find to be happy and fulfilled. But that might not be true for everyone. What makes you happy can change over time or based on your life circumstances. You might think there’s one thing you absolutely have to do to feel fulfilled at a particular moment in time. But what happens after you have done it? You might feel happy and fulfilled for a while, but that feeling won’t last forever. What are you going to do then? What happens if one day you grow weary of your pursuit? Does it render all the effort and time invested as wasted? Is it realistic to expect that dedicating your life to a single purpose guarantees eternal meaning and fulfillment for everyone? Life is multi-faceted and one’s ikigai could reflect this dynamic nature by evolving alongside changing life circumstances and accommodating personal growth.
Ikigai is actually quite simple. Originally, it wasn’t specifically about finding your purpose in life. Besides, it is debatable whether you need one sole purpose for life to be meaningful. It is actually more about a means for self-expression; for what makes you happy or fulfilled in life; what makes you feel that your life is great. It serves as a reminder of the little things that bring you joy, whether it’s doing something for yourself or for others. There is no fixed list of what can make you happy, and everyone’s list is different. Understanding this helps you become more self-aware and mindful. It guides you to focus on things that bring you happiness and fulfillment, contributing to your personal growth.
Examples Of Ikigai In Daily Life
In a general sense, ikigai can be discovered in the simple, everyday activities we engage in. Here are some common examples to illustrate how you can find ikigai in your daily life. These are not extraordinary achievements but rather ordinary moments that can bring fulfillment and purpose. Compile a list of such activities, considering different aspects of your life. You can use the wheel of life as a reference for the eight broad areas of life, and note down “ikigai activities” under each area.
- Morning Routine: Starting the day with a cup of coffee or tea while enjoying the sunrise, setting a positive tone for the day ahead.
- Cooking: Preparing a delicious meal for yourself or loved ones, finding joy in the process of creating something nourishing and tasty.
- Exercise: Going for a morning jog or practicing yoga, connecting with your body and mind while improving your health.
- Gardening: Spending time tending to your garden, nurturing plants and flowers, and finding fulfillment in watching them grow.
- Reading: Immersing yourself in a good book, exploring different worlds, and gaining new knowledge or insights.
- Music: Playing an instrument or listening to your favorite songs, finding solace and joy in the melodies and rhythms.
- Art: Painting, drawing, or crafting, expressing yourself creatively and finding fulfillment in the process of creation.
- Volunteering: Helping out at a local charity or community organization, making a positive impact on others’ lives and feeling a sense of fulfillment.
- Writing: Keeping a journal, writing poetry, or blogging about your experiences and thoughts, finding catharsis and clarity through self-expression.
- Spending Time with Loved Ones: Having meaningful conversations with family and friends, sharing laughter and creating cherished memories together.
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How To Embrace Ikigai For Personal Growth
As we have discussed earlier, ikigai can broadly mean to find joy in the small things in life or in a narrower definition, to find a specific purpose in life that will be the source for growth, happiness and fulfillment. Let’s focus on the more popular interpretation of ikigai, which refers to one’s reason for being, one’s life’s purpose. We’ll use this as the basis for a structured practice to help you define and embrace ikigai in your daily life. This structured approach can guide you toward lasting fulfillment and help satisfy your search for meaning. It starts with taking small but meaningful steps and making them part of your routine. By infusing ikigai into your daily life, you can spark transformative change and experience significant personal growth. I’ve broken these steps down into four key practices to help you succeed in finding happiness, fulfillment, and enhance personal growth.
Introspect
To bring this idea into your daily life, start by thinking about what you’re good at, what you love doing, and what makes you unique. Take some time to really think about it, maybe even have a chat with yourself. Figure out your strengths, your passions, and what makes you stand out from the crowd. Do you love painting, playing music, organizing things, or playing sports? Think about what brings you happiness. Maybe you’re great at talking to people, convincing them of things, or negotiating. Look for chances to use these skills in your everyday life, both at home and at work. If you’re good at comforting others, consider jobs or activities where you can put these talents to good use. This way, you can find growth, fulfillment, and joy in what you do.
“Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it.”
Buddha
Explore & Excavate
Not everyone knows exactly what they’re good at, and that’s totally fine. You might be in that boat, feeling unsure about your strengths or talents. Or maybe you’re good at something that doesn’t seem like a money-maker or a practical career choice. In that case, it’s important to be open to new experiences and willing to push yourself out of your comfort zone. You might not know yourself well enough yet to recognize your strengths, or maybe you just haven’t had the chance to discover them. Not everyone has the time or resources to explore all their talents, but it’s all about having the right mindset and being open to new opportunities.
You can try attending workshops, seminars, or conferences, and talking to different people. The more you expose yourself to different possibilities, the more likely you are to stumble upon something you are passionate about. Be adventurous and bold, and don’t be afraid to try new things. You never know, you might just find your new purpose in life along the way.
Self-Awareness
While you’re figuring out your strengths and trying new things, it’s important to also work on self-awareness. This means being aware of not just what you’re doing, but also why you’re doing it, and how it makes you feel. Pay attention to your actions, your habits, and the people and things around you. When you’re mindful like this, you’re actively taking part in your own life, instead of just letting life happen to you. This helps you stay present in the moment and embrace each experience as it comes, which is what ichigo ichie is all about – treasuring each moment as if it’s a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
Developing self-awareness can give you clarity about your purpose and what really matters to you. You can start by incorporating daily practices like meditation and deep breathing into your routine. You might also try shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, to recharge and clear your mind amidst nature’s beauty.
“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”
Dalai Lama
Gratitude
Gratitude might not seem like a big deal to some, but it’s actually super important for finding your ikigai. It serves as the foundation of your whole attitude towards life. When you are grateful for what you have, whether it’s the people in your life or even just the little things, it changes how you see the world. It’s like a magnet for good stuff – it brings more good things into your life. Plus, being grateful makes you tougher, both mentally and emotionally resilient, when things get rough. It helps you stay positive and see the bright side of things, even when things aren’t going your way.
So, don’t underestimate the power of gratitude. Make it a big part of your life, and don’t be shy about expressing it. Take a moment every day to say thanks for the good things in your life, no matter how small. Whether it’s receiving praise or encouragement from a friend, a beautiful sunset, or a tasty meal, just say thank you. These little acts of gratitude add up over time and bring more joy and abundance into your life.
The Time Is NOW🔥
I hope you have a clearer idea of what ikigai is now and how you can infuse it into your life. It’s important to see the value of incorporating this simple yet profound philosophy into your daily routine and making it a part of your lifestyle. If you haven’t started embracing ikigai yet, don’t worry. You can begin with small steps.
Start by keeping a journal to become more self-aware and mindful of your thoughts and actions. Note down what you like, what brings you joy, and what’s important to you. The key is to start somewhere—no need to overthink or feel afraid. Just take baby steps. Begin by noticing the little things that make you happy and content. It could be as simple as enjoying a cup of tea in the morning or taking a walk in nature.
Don’t rush the process. Take your time and let things unfold naturally. You don’t have to figure everything out all at once. Your ikigai may become clear to you over time, and that’s okay. There is no fixed timeline for discovering it, and it is unique to each individual. Remember, your ikigai doesn’t have to be something grand or satisfy all four popularized criteria of passion, vocation, mission and profession. It doesn’t have to be about making a big impact on the world or bringing in money. There are no strict rules.
It can be something small that not only brings you joy but makes you feel that life is worth living; it can be anything that feels special and meaningful to you. It’s about finding what resonates with you personally, regardless of how it may compare to others’ goals or achievements. And don’t limit yourself to just one ikigai! You can have multiple things in your life that bring you fulfillment and contentment, things you do regularly that make you feel happy and satisfied. So, take a moment to reflect on what truly matters to you. Understanding yourself better is a great starting point, and it’s a journey worth taking.
