Ikigai (pronounced ee-key-guy) is the Japanese concept that translate roughly to “a reason for being.” It’s made from two Japanese words: iki, meaning “life” and kai, meaning “effect, result, worth or benefit.” Combined: “a reason for living.” It’s the idea of seeking a purpose in everything you do in life. Hobbies, friendships, community and travel all add to your ikigai. This is relevant now more than ever and can help us be more intentionally in how we conduct ourselves in every aspect of our lives.
For the last few years, many of us have been putting one fire out after another. It is no wonder anxiety has become as prevalent as it has, at every turn there is something else threatening our health and wellness and so we have become keyed up to react automatically rather than respond intentionally. Ikigai can help us to address this.
Interested in learning more? Have a look at the brief roadmap to Ikigai below, then visit Elaine Mead’s article at https://darlingmagazine.org entitled “How the Japanese Concept of ‘Ikigai’ Can Help You Live More Intentionally.”
