Happy family: mother, father, children son and daughter on nature on sunset
In this article, we delve into the meaning of Ikigai. What is Ikigai? And how can I find my Ikigai? Perhaps you’ve heard about this Japanese concept and how it can help you find your dream career. And how it contributes to a happier life, filled with fulfillment and inspiration.
In this article, you will learn what Ikigai is, what it means, and how you can discover your Ikigai.
What gets you out of bed in the morning? Discover the secrets of the Japanese concept that revolves around finding small moments of happiness — something that the inhabitants of ‘blue zone’ Okinawa master like no other. What gives them meaning to their existence and what can you as a Westerner learn from this? This article tells you.
In his Ted Talk ‘ How to live to be 100+ ‘, Dan Buettner, writer and researcher for National Geographic, talks about the secret to longevity. Something that residents of the so-called ‘Blue zones’ seem to have discovered; These areas are home to not only the healthiest people in the world but also the oldest.
The average life expectancy of ‘Blue Zones’ residents
Okinawa, Japan: 81.2
Nicoya, Costa Rica: 79.8
Öland, Sweden: 79
Sardinia, Italy: 78.3
Ikaria, Greece: 78.1
Loma Linda, California: 76.8
What exactly is going on here and how does it relate to the trendy term Ikigai?
First of all, these residents appear to have similarities when it comes to their diet and social life: healthy, fresh food and, above all, lots of social interaction. Yet there is one special ingredient that sets the people of Okinawa apart from the rest: ‘ Ikigai’.
Ikigai (pronounced as “ee-key-guy”) is a Japanese concept that means “the reason for living.”
“Iki” means “life,” and “gai” means “value” or “reason.” In other words, your Ikigai is your “life’s value” or what gives meaning to your life.
Ikigai cannot necessarily be described in concrete terms. It’s not about grand gestures or espousing grand ideas, it’s more subtle than that:
Ikigai is finding happiness in the small, everyday things and doing this with care.
Your Ikigai is your life purpose, your reason to get up in the morning.
The concept has evolved over time. In Japanese culture, it usually refers to what brings you happiness. Nowadays, the concept is popular in Western culture, especially in the context of finding your ideal career.
However, the philosophy behind Ikigai shows us that our careers, our family, and our happiness are not separate. They are all interconnected to give purpose to our existence.
And that could be many different things:
Ikigai example
For the world’s best sushi chef, Jiro Ono, Ikigai is finding the perfect piece of tuna at the fish market early in the morning. His passion for sushi extends so far that at the age of 96, he is still not ready to pass the baton to his son; Without his sushi, he would no longer have a reason to get up in the morning:
For other Okinawans, it may be holding their great-grandchild, teaching karate lessons, or catching fresh fish to feed their family. In short, the cliché is true: it’s the little things that matter.
What does Ikigai deliver?
In addition to those extra years, the ‘Sense of Life Worth Living and Mortality in Japan’ study showed that Ikigai does more than just extend your life.
It appears that people who indicate that Ikigai plays a role in their lives experience less stress. They are less likely to get cancer, have a lower chance of developing heart disease, and are healthier overall.
Of course, these effects occur partly because of the healthy diet they adhere to (image below). Yet Ikigai also plays a huge role in this. Ikigai stimulates physical activity; being busy and staying busy, even as an eighty-year-old. This in turn ensures an increase in life satisfaction and social contacts.
When you combine that – healthy food, sufficient exercise, and the necessary zest for life – then it is not surprising that the Okinawans live so long (and happily)!
What Ikigai is not (our incorrect Western approach)
‘Finding happiness in the little things’ or ‘what suits you’, is Ikigai in the traditional sense. Almost something completely different from the Western corruption of it. There the focus is more on work, your profession, and doing what you love. You often see such a Venn diagram in many mindfulness books and articles.
Absolutely fine if that works for you. Who wouldn’t want to get paid for doing their hobby?!
However, this is not what Ikigai originally entails, even though a new mindfulness bestseller claims it.
As mentioned earlier, Ikigai is more subtle. It’s not about your job or what the world needs; it’s not your mission. Such things may sound trendy and appealing but still align with the ‘busy-busy-busy’ mentality we uphold here.
If you truly want to live according to Ikigai, you will need to forget this Western approach. Go back to the Japanese pillars and discover what finding happiness in the little things truly means.
What Ikigai is: the 5 subtle pillars of Ikigai
Ikigai relies on five ‘rules’:
01. Start small 02. Let yourself go 03. Pay attention to harmony and sustainability 04. Enjoy the small things 05. Live in the here and now
For many Japanese, these core values are so deeply ingrained in their culture that the average person doesn’t even consciously think about them. Ikigai is always and everywhere present, it is the way they approach life. Very different from a Western Venn diagram.
Some subtle ways Ikigai is present in their daily lives (and how you can do the same):
01. Early Rising to Tackle Heavy Work First
When the sun rises, you get up – an attitude that is second nature to many Okinawans. If you want to catch the best fish, you’ll need to be up early, just like the 102-year-old tuna trader who is already at work by 2:00 a.m.
“I wake up in good spirits every morning because I’m always looking for that special fish. Will I find it today? That thought keeps me going.”
The pillars of ‘starting small’ and ‘letting go of yourself’ are crucial here. The lesson? To experience Ikigai, you must set aside your own comfort and immediately seize the most important activity of your day, no matter how big or small it may be.
What You Can Do: Start your day with the most valuable task. It could be anything: your ‘tuna’ might be picking up that project you keep postponing. Or waking up an hour earlier to finally get to reading – whether work-related or personal. When you tackle important tasks early in the day, your day only gets better.
02. Stick to rituals and focus on movement
At exactly 6:30, you will hear music on all radio stations, TV channels, and broadcasting poles urging the people of Okinawa to move. Everyone, from nursing homes to schools or construction sites, is expected to shake off everything for a while – ‘Radio Taiso.’
A small morning ritual where many find their Ikigai. It’s enjoyable, a social activity for many, and it keeps them energetic and healthy.
No heavy gym sessions or expensive yoga studios. For them, daily short stretching exercises are sufficient. The pillars of ‘starting small,’ ‘letting go of oneself,’ and ‘enjoying the little things’ certainly play a significant role here.
Here’s what you can do:
You probably don’t see exercising as something enjoyable but rather as something you have to do. Unfortunately, obligatory exercise does less for you than engaging in activities you’re genuinely enthusiastic about.
Therefore, look for new ways to stay active, like exercising without even realizing it! Ride your bike more often, play a game of catch with a good friend, or take your dog for a long walk in the dunes.
Additionally, it helps to stick to a consistent morning routine, preferably one that incorporates movement into your morning. Focus on activities that energize and make you happy. A small moment of joy – that’s how you kickstart your morning positively.
03. Working from Passion Instead of Reward
Whether it’s producing the tenderest piece of Kobe steak or leading a harmonious tea ceremony, Japan is known for a culture that values quality and attention to detail. Experiencing pride and passion is more important to them than the reward itself. For example, cattle farmer Ono finds his Ikigai in massaging his ‘Kobe’ cattle every day. And because he does it with dedication, he creates perfection.
These small moments of happiness arise from pillars like ‘living in the here and now’ and again ‘enjoying the little things.’ It’s not about selling steak or tea; it’s about the actions that led to that result.
What You Can Do
Of course, you will have achieved results; you can’t convince your boss that your happiness about closing a deal is more important than actually bringing in a customer.
However, it’s essential to reflect more often in your personal and professional life on why you do things; why do you invest all your time and energy here? Do you even want to work on this? What effect does it have on your life and energy balance?
These are important questions, which we extensively discuss further in this article.
04. Mindful Action with an Eye on the Long-Term
In Japan, great value is placed on the impact your actions have on society; you may have enormous ambitions, but if it’s not something lasting in the long term, it doesn’t add value. For you or others.
For many, Ikigai is therefore about the sustainability of life. The group is more important than the individual. The choices you make daily should take that into account, something the pillar of ‘harmony and sustainability’ stands for.
What You Can Do
Too often, we concern ourselves with our own desires and ambitions; after all, you want to be successful and achieve things. Unfortunately, this often means that it comes at the expense of others; of the time you spend on them. You’re too ‘busy, busy, busy’ because you still have to…
Ikigai teaches us that it’s not just about us, but that you can find your happiness by contributing to the greater whole.
Reflect on that. We often spend perhaps just a bit too much time on work-related matters, potentially sidelining our partners and friends. Making a conscious effort to allocate time and actively be present can make a big difference in maintaining our social ties (and happiness levels).
05. Stay Curious and Try New Things
It’s not uncommon for an Okinawan to visit a Shinto shrine on New Year’s Day, celebrate Christmas with family, and then attend a Buddhist funeral. Although you might see this as inconsistent, it’s precisely this diversity that matters to the Okinawans:
This easygoing attitude arises because the average resident is immensely curious and wants to explore all kinds of diversity. Learning new ideas, perspectives, and experiences thus becomes a form of Ikigai for many.
The pillars of ‘letting go of yourself’ and ‘enjoying the small things’ are important here to step out of their comfort zone. This enables them to be open to new ideas and experiences.
What You Can Do
Your comfort zone is called that for a reason: you feel comfortable there. Nevertheless, try stepping out of it! By trying new things more often, you might discover entirely new sides of yourself and open yourself up to new Ikigai moments.
Therefore, take a different route to work, visit that bistro on your own, or take on that intimidating project. ‘A change is as good as a rest,’ as we extensively describe in this article.
06. Undertake an Action for the Pleasure of It
Japanese work ethics often boil down to unconditional loyalty to your employer; if you have a job, you’ll likely keep it until your retirement. And since most jobs are heavy, dull, and passionless, there is a significant value placed on practicing various hobbies. This allows them to blow off steam after work.
Engaging in a hobby, from karaoke to drawing manga, is an opportunity for the residents to enjoy the small things. They won’t quit their jobs to become manga artists, don’t expect rewards or profits from it, but engage in the activity purely for the pursuit of pleasure.
Surrendering yourself to a passion originates from three pillars: ‘letting go of yourself,’ ‘enjoying the small things,’ and ‘living in the here and now.’
What You Can Do
You don’t have to be good at playing the guitar, as long as you enjoy it. And if you think you’re too old to take those dance lessons, who cares? If you want to find your Ikigai, do what makes you happy, regardless of the status quo.
In the end, life is short. Being stuck, purely because you’re used to it or because you’re afraid of what others think of you, will never bring you your Ikigai. Be critical, discover what truly brings a smile to your face, and pursue it!
In short
It is not always immediately apparent how Ikigai is present in Japanese culture or the daily life of the average Okinawan, but it is certainly there! The 5 pillars of Ikigai very subtly find their way into their way of thinking and working: living according to harmony and sustainability, being present in the moment, or especially keeping an eye on the little things. These are very normal things in the Ikigai mindset
We Westerners can still learn a lot from that. Now that you know that happiness actually lies in the little things, you know where to look!
