Journey into the the Japanese Ikigai
what is that activity or job that never feels like work? The one will never make you feel waiting for the retirement, or even just for the week to pass?
I’ve been asking myself that question many times in the last years, often wandering if I was just being selfish, hoping to find something like that. Many people struggle with their boring jobs all day every day for pretty much all their lives. Why should I be different?
I feel kind of sorry for my school years, supposed to be our happiest. Mostly spent just waiting for the brief playtime. And then for the end of the day, for Friday and finally the summer holidays, again and again. I didn’t eve like Sundays. Almost the end of the game.
We get so used to this lifestyle, that if feels natural spending the whole life in the same way. Waiting for the weekend, the short summer vacations and then retirement. Postponing all the best for the last bite of your life. To maybe find out you’re just too old and tired to do anything.
I am obviously not talking about endless vacations. We all need to work, and not just to survive and pay the bills. It is crucially important to maintain an active and trained mind and body. And it is not so unusual to see active hard workers losing motivation after they retire from work.
I probably have a questionable idea about work. I do not mind doing stuff on weekends or till late at night, if needed. As well as having a random quick vacation in the middle of the week, if it is a quiet day. What rally drives me crazy is just having to work just for the sake of work. Focusing on the amount of time spent at the job more than on the effective productivity.
The only downside in all of this could be having so many tasks to accomplish that the “quiet time” never comes.
But do you really need some, if you enjoy want you are doing?
Some people daily spend eight endless ours always looking at the clock. Like I was doing at school pretty much. Some others reach the end of their workday without even realize it. Wishing to have some extra time and excited to keep going the following day.
The latter are probably living according to their IKIGAI.
but does this mysterious japanese word mean?
Ikigai is actually a combination of two words: IKI, life. And KAI, results or worthiness. It is all about finding a purpose to add meaning to our existence. But I will better explain it later on.
How I discovered the Ikigai
Did it ever happen to you? You’re hardly searching for something with no results. And then, as soon as you stop focusing on that, it just pops out. That is basically what happened to me with this strange word and a book called “Ikigai, the Japanese secret to a long and happy life” by Hector Garcia.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. I too haven’t found my IKIGAI yet, but just finding out about its existence kind of comforts me. After all I am not that crazy, being so deeply willing to find my purpose in life. Something to happily work hard on with no breaks.
Nothing bothers me more than trading my lifetime and energy for bare money. Not the one needed for food and necessities of course. But the one generally used to buy pointless stuff to show others, hoping to fill our deepest emptiness. Sometimes I even envy those able to just find happiness in every new purchase.
I’d rather be working for free every day at something meaningful for me and the world. Than being highly paid for a boring and damaging job. Just waiting for the time to pass.
“Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years”
Quick summary of the Ikigai Book
The author of the book mainly focuses on longevity. Exploring the blue area’s inhabitants recipe for a long, happy life. The blue areas, for those wondering, is a list of places with the highest longevity in the world. On top of that there is the Japanese paradise Island of Okinawa, which inhabitant’s secrets are:
keep both mind and body always active, and do never really retire
take it slow, always work and be busy, but with no rush. Be always very focused to one thing at the time, in order to reach the state of FLOW leading to the best results
maintain an healthy diet, full of nutrients and antioxidants and poor of calories
smile and connect with others
savour every moment, and be always thankful
reconnect with the nature
and lastly, FOLLOW YOUR IKIGAI.
Having a clear idea of it and the willpower to live according to your own Ikigai, seems to be among the ingredients for an happy an fulfilled life.
How to discover your ikigai
Like in many cases, the first step toward happiness is jumping out of the comfort zone. And enjoy the journey more than he destination: look for the things you enjoy the most be doing, not just what will deliver you more results. Or more money.
Of course it is not so easy for everyone, and it is not just about passion. Many of us have rather expensive and fruitless hobbies.
The true Ikigai is all about the balance, between:
what you love doing
what the world needs
what you are good at
what you can be paid for
all of those are equally important ingredients. For example love and talent create passion, but no profit. Talent and profit alone can lead to a meaningless job without happiness, even if combined with a good utility for others. And so on.
Another important element to find true meaning is being both selfish and selfless. Working to create value for the community. But while also enjoying the journey, and getting our small reward.
Once again, what the world really needs are happy people willing to make it a better place.
The best way to enjoy every activity is by entering a state of FLOW. Search for it in everything you have to do. And follow its most natural sources to find the Ikigai.
Seek for the FLOW state
Flow is the state in which you’re so focused on what you’re doing, that nothing can distract you. The time flies by, and the results of your work are amazingly fulfilling.
It is probably easier to see than to explain. Without going too far, I see it in my grandpa. He is 83 years old and retired. Despite he could easily be chilling all the time, he spends every day an average of 10 hours in his vegetable garden. Digging. planting, picking and taking care of the trees. No matter the sun, rain, heat or cold. Or how much produce he will get. He just loves it.
A state of flow is what leads everyone to their best results, and after a more enjoyable ride. In order to reach the flow you need a clear idea of what you are doing, and forget about every distraction. It is all about put the mind on order, so no multitasking allowed.
The positive outcome on the mood comes from the total immersion not only in the task, but also in the moment. Developing a sense of of control and freedom from worries and negative thoughts. A sort of mindfulness leaded by the doing.
According to the book’s author, “The happiest people are not the ones who achieve the most, but those who spend more time into a state of flow”
An ingredient for an happy life is seeking for the flow not just in our most enjoyable activities, but also in the easiest daily tasks.
The trick is to add a tiny bit of challenge into anything you do.Just enough to prevent the mind from getting bored and start wandering, and to ensure rewarding and empowering results.
The Ikigai in Japan
I got a little example of this Japanese way to see life during my trip to the country. I knew nothing about it at that time, but now I can better understand what I saw.
Firstly, observing the cure those notoriously laborious people put in everything they do. And their attention to every detail. I remember elder people meticulously clean the public street around their house every morning. Quietly but always moving. Smiling and greeting everyone passing by.
But even more spending time with my local friend, Mr. Hitoshi. He offered me hospitality trough Couchsurfing when I posted my upcoming journey. It was my first time using the system, but his very reliable impression almost instantly won my trust.
Hardly to say, but the little man is in its seventies. He started to study English as soon as he retired from his job. And to host foreign travellers to put his studies into practice. – keep the mind busy working on little big challenges –
He also loves walking and especially cycling around: in three days we rode around all Osaka and Kyoto, proof of the importance of an active body. And we cooked together a nice breakfast with his garden’s kaki fruit. Freshly picked from the tree he was caring as a son.
His life is now basically about getting the chance to practice English and learn more about other countries by offering hospitality, friendship and an amazing guiding to backpackers and travellers. Win Win.
I remember following him with my bike around Japan as one of the best experiences of all times. I could clearly feel the happiness and gratitude towards him and the whole situation. And the willingness to give it back somehow.
And now.. I want to Hear from You! Have you found your IKIGAI yet?
I would love to hear YOUR stories. And any helpful advice, if you have some
Thank you for taking the time to read this post!
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