Ikigai is a Japanese practice that entails a person’s lifelong journey. It revolves around an individual’s passion, growth, and what brings them joy. I’ve been striving to maximize each day and live life to the fullest, and I’ve learned that this takes planning and consistency. I still feel like I’m falling short. Most people are just surviving day by day instead of tapping into their passion and full potential. There are so many things I’d like to do, and I question why I’m still not accomplishing my goals.
With that being said, I have successfully gotten into better shape, explored new hobbies, self-published an eBook, and launched my blog within the last two years. I’m happy with my progress, but I’m eager to continue to improve my life. I believe health and wellness is my ikigai. I never get tired of it and continue to look forward to researching and learning more so I can pass along pertinent information to my blog followers.
Finding our passion isn’t always obvious. If you’re not sure what yours is, then make it one of your goals to discover it. It’s sad to think that people go through life without finding their true purpose. Grab a journal and write down your interests and start the process. You have a better chance of accomplishing tasks when you make a to-do list.
According to the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai and a reason to enjoy life. Figuring out your true calling can be life changing as it can send you on a path of balance and harmony. This new mission could be your reason to “wake up in the morning.” I always thought your passion had to be career related, but this isn’t true. It can be something you work on outside of your profession.
I took an online course offered by Yale called “The Science of Well-Being.” It was taught by Dr. Laurie Santos, and I loved every bit of it. It jumpstarted all aspects of my personal development journey and I’m continuing to look for ways to improve my life. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to enhance their well-being. The course talks about what really makes us happy and how to develop more productive habits. I’ve been working on one habit at a time, and I can tell you that my life is definitely more balanced.
Ikigai isn’t just followed by the Japanese. People around the world find it fascinating and want to search for their true meaning in life. Below are “The Ten Rules of Ikigai.” They are simple and straightforward, and I would consider them no-nonsense rules. If we follow these daily, we will have improved attitudes and a more positive outlook on life.
Ten Rules of Ikigai
*Stay active. Don’t retire.
*Take it slow. Stop hurrying.
*Surround yourself with good friends.
*Smile and have a good attitude.
*Reconnect with nature.
*Live in the moment.
*Follow your ikigai. (passion)
The overall benefits can cultivate a lifestyle that emphasizes balance, well-being and purpose. This can lead to:
*Improved mental health
*Enhanced physical health
*Greater emotional resilience
*Increased longevity
*A more fulfilling and joyful life
If you’re going through challenges or a life altering event, then this may be a good point to carve out time for yourself. Dive into what really makes you tick. Self-improvement typically increases overall life satisfaction. When timing is right and things start shifting, it’s amazing how you can evolve as a person.
These principles encourage a holistic approach to living, helping you find harmony between what you love, what you’re good at, and how you contribute to the world. Barely surviving the day isn’t really doing much for you as a person. Being present fosters deeper connections and awareness which can lead to a more meaningful life.
I always knew that health and wellness was important because I’ve thought about it for as long as I can remember. Being consistently enthusiastic about something and wanting to learn more is a tell-tale sign that it probably should be part of your life. The next step is to share your knowledge with others and offer support. Your calling is unique to you and your beliefs, and it will make you feel complete as a person. Good luck rediscovering yourself!
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Photo by: Evgeny Tchebotarev
