We’ve all heard of the concept of a “life purpose” in one form or another. Having a defined reason to get up in the morning can make all the difference — and yet many of us can’t quite put our finger on our own purpose or motivator. Sometimes, it can feel like each day blends into the next, filled with work and chores and a little bit of fun when time allows, without a clear driver behind it all.
Living this way for long can lead to burnout or, at the very least, a bad case of the blahs. You might’ve heard this referred to as languishing, a state that’s not quite capital-D depression but that can make you feel dull and apathetic all the same. Many factors can lead to languishing, but a lack of purpose is perhaps one of the most common — and arguably the most important to solve.
Of course, finding your reason for living isn’t exactly an easy feat. But ikigai, a little concept born in Japan, can help simplify the process.
Fast facts
- What is ikigai? Ikigai comes from the verb stem “iki,” which means “to live,” and “gai,” meaning “reason.” In short, it’s a person’s purpose for living and getting out of bed each day.
- Where does it originate? Japan
- Related concepts: kaizen in Japan, dharma in Hinduism and Buddhism
What ikigai actually means in Japanese culture
The ikigai philosophy might sound exotic, or maybe you’ve already learned about it before and its four-part Venn diagram (more on that later). If ikigai seems complicated, the good news is, well, it’s not. In my time living in Japan, I honestly never heard people discussing their ikigai or putting effort into defining their life’s purpose. I would argue that most people in the country don’t live with one clear, core motivator inspiring their decisions. Instead, ikigai is a casual idea — much like the Dutch concept of niksen — that shows up in Japanese culture but without the complex guidelines and definitions sometimes discussed in Western books written about it.
So how does it appear in Japanese culture, exactly? For one, self-improvement and personal goals are encouraged in Japan, and it’s often considered shameful to not give a task or duty your all. In almost every workplace, from the local convenience store to corporate offices, people are expected to “ganbaru,” or do their best. Ask a station attendant for directions and they’ll draw you a detailed map or even personally guide you to your destination. Step inside an elevator manned by an operator and you’ll quickly notice they never slouch, their clothes are perfectly ironed, and their face looks focused yet friendly — even if their job is simply to push buttons. There seems to be a real sense of purpose behind these jobs.
With that said, don’t assume everyone in Japan would call their career their ikigai. For many, hobbies or time with family might be considered their true ikigai. And still, many Japanese people commit themselves fully to whatever they consider their duties to be, from work to caring for children to something simple like properly separating the trash. Often, the ikigai philosophy is woven into small, mundane parts of everyday life in Japan.
Okay, but how can I find my ikigai?
If you’re already feeling kind of blah, you probably don’t want to try finding purpose in your daily duties, like going to work or washing the dishes — especially if those duties are part of why you feel so lackluster in the first place. To find your own ikigai, start small and simple. Look for things that bring you joy or that you look forward to. Héctor Garcia, co-author of “Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life,” told JapanGov that many of the Japanese seniors he interviewed for his book listed friends or personal interests like gardening and art as their ikigai. Building these values into their daily schedules helps give them purpose and meaning, and you can do the same with the people or hobbies that bring out the best in you.
If you find an ikigai that suits you at one point but doesn’t exactly light you up at another, that’s okay. You can have multiple ikigai, and they can change over time. Remember, the ikigai concept is pretty loose in Japan, so don’t pressure yourself to find your one “true” purpose or calling.
On that note, your ikigai doesn’t have to fulfill a checklist of requirements. You may have seen the ikigai Venn diagram, with its four overlapping circles consisting of:
- Something you love
- Something you’re good at
- Something you can be paid for
- Something the world needs
Finding an ikigai that checks all the boxes might be ideal, but it’s not a must. Instead, try to balance the time you spend on activities that fall into each category. For instance, if you’re spending your 9-5 on something you’re good at and that pays the bills but doesn’t really spark joy, make time in the evening for something you genuinely love. Or if you spend most of your free time binging on Netflix or scrolling through your phone, try doing something the world needs, like volunteering at an animal shelter.
Taking ikigai one step further
Once you’ve started identifying the interests and activities that bring meaning to your life, dig a little deeper to find the core value hidden within them. Do you thrive at work when you can be hands-on and apply your original ideas? Maybe your ikigai is creativity. Are you at your best when you’re with friends or helping a customer at work? Maybe something like connection or generosity is your ikigai. Do you feel the most happy to be alive when trying something new or traveling to a faraway destination? Your ikigai could be adventure or learning.
If you’re still in languishing mode, you might not be spending enough time on your deeper values. From my own observations in Japan, these values are the true meaning behind the ikigai philosophy. Remember the station attendant I mentioned? Their core motivator and reason for living might be something like kindness or helping others. And the elevator operator? Maybe they thrive when given accountability and independence.
Spend time reflecting on your values and consider new ways to incorporate them into your daily life. And when you start to feel blah and unmotivated again, return to your ikigai for inspiration.