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Ikigai; the Japanese formula for lifelong happiness
What is ikigai?
There’s no simple, straightforward translation into English for this word, similarly to the Danish word ‘hygge’.
Hector Garcia, author and thinker, defines ikigai as…
“your reason for being”
Roughly, it means the thing that you live for; the thing that gives you purpose, encourages you to get out of bed, and is the dominant factor in your life.
This Japanese concept promotes the idea that true happiness in life is way more than a fancy car, high paying job or money.
What’s your ikigai?
Everyone’s ikigai, their purpose, will be different.
It’s important that you take time to discover yours, so that you can live in alignment with it in everything that you do.
Use the four circles of ikigai to help you find your purpose!
“We don’t create the meaning of our life, as Sartre claimed — we discover it.” — Hector Garcia
Why is ikigai different?
Ikigai is massively different from the Western phrase ‘follow your passion”, but why?
- It promotes growth; your ikigai should lead you to becoming…
