Discovering Your Ikigai: How to Find Purpose and Joy in Everyday Life
What Is Ikigai?
Ikigai (生き甲斐) is a Japanese concept that roughly translates to “a reason for being.” It’s the intersection between what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Rooted in Okinawan culture—where people often live long, fulfilling lives—Ikigai is more than just a career choice; it’s a life philosophy that leads to purpose, satisfaction, and meaning.
The 4 Pillars of Ikigai
At the heart of Ikigai are four key elements:
What you love (your passion)
What you're good at (your vocation)
What the world needs (your mission)
What you can be paid for (your profession)
When all four align, you find your Ikigai—a sweet spot where meaning and livelihood come together.
Why Ikigai Matters
In a world of burnout, hustle culture, and endless to-do lists, finding your Ikigai can help you:
Gain clarity on what truly matters
Align your career with your values
Build sustainable motivation
Reduce stress and increase contentment
Feel more connected to yourself and others
It’s not about a perfect life—it’s about a purposeful one.
How to Find Your Ikigai
1. Reflect Deeply
Start by journaling or meditating on the four elements of Ikigai. Ask yourself:
What activities make me lose track of time?
What skills do people thank me for?
What problems do I feel passionate about solving?
What can I realistically make a living from?
You can use a Venn diagram of the four circles to help visualise the overlaps.
2. Experiment and Explore
Ikigai isn't something you always “find” overnight. It often comes through trial and experience. Try new hobbies, volunteer, take up freelance projects, or go back to something you once loved but abandoned.
3. Listen to Your Energy
Notice what gives you energy versus what drains you. Ikigai feels energising and grounding. If something lights you up, it’s probably a sign you’re getting warmer.
4. Refine Over Time
Ikigai evolves. What felt meaningful in your twenties may shift in your forties. Keep checking in with yourself. You don’t have to get it “right” from the start. The process is the point.
Ikigai in Daily Life
You don’t have to quit your job or move to a tropical island to live with purpose. Here’s how to bring Ikigai into your everyday life:
Do more of what brings you joy, even in small moments
Align your work tasks with your strengths wherever possible
Find ways to help others—even if it’s listening or offering kindness
Stay curious and open, especially when feeling stuck
Create space to reflect regularly, whether through journaling, walking, or quiet time in nature
Real-Life Examples of Ikigai
A teacher who loves storytelling, is great with kids, and finds joy in shaping young minds
A potter who turns a love for craft into a livelihood while promoting slow, mindful living
A writer who blends their passion for mental health with journalism to raise awareness and change lives
Each of these people may have found their Ikigai not by design, but by noticing what mattered most and choosing it again and again.
Final Thoughts
Ikigai isn’t a rigid formula—it’s a living, breathing relationship with your purpose. In a culture that often tells us to chase success, Ikigai invites us to pause and ask: What makes life worth living?
Whether you’re starting fresh or recalibrating your path, exploring your Ikigai can lead to deeper fulfilment, more joy, and a life that feels truly your own.
If you want to learn more I recommend Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia
