Have you ever wondered what your real purpose in life is? Well, I guess everyone has asked themselves that question at some point in their lives. In fact, I ask myself every day if I’m in the right track. Then, I remember how fortunate I have been, that I have a lovely family, loyal friends, and a job that I love and challenges me. To Japanese people, I would say that I have found my ikigai.
This Japanese term is defined as the “reason to wake up every morning.” It’s the path that leads us to the so-called happiness we want to reach someday, and it can be felt both with great events or achievements that enrich our spirit and in the little moments that give us pleasure, such as drinking a cup of coffee in the morning or having a lunch with friends.
The thing is that we often see happiness as a state of mind that is almost unattainable or that is contingent upon acquiring material things or accomplishing difficult tasks, which can cause much stress and anxiety, of course. However, we forget that we can get small doses of happiness every day, from the simplest things.
Japanese neuroscientist Ken Mogi shared the five pillars to find your purpose in life in the book Awakening Your Ikigai: How The Japanese Wake Up To Joy And Purpose Every Day. Following them, and you might also find your ikigai.
1. Start small.
The first step can be achieved easily. As one of my colleagues says, it’s all about making baby steps. Reaching a goal takes time, and it involves going one step at a time. So, you should start by creating a routine, whether it is waking up early and enjoying that coffee that will bring you to life, or by riding your bike to work instead of getting stuck in a crowded subway wagon. It might sound silly, but these are things that can really help us have a better day.
2. Release yourself.
Accept who you are. Period. You don’t need to impress anyone. We all have flaws and imperfections. Have you seen the beautiful Japanese broken pottery with the cracks filled with gold? Well, we all have cracks, and we’ve all been broken once, twice, or several times, yet here we are. The moment you let yourself flow and accept that, you’ll be happier than ever.
3. Harmony and sustainability.
Even though we live in an society of individuals, we still have to rely on others. Everything we do has an impact in the life of others. Think of yourself as a tree in a forest. If you are just one tree, you might be beautiful, but if you are part of a forest, you need the others to grow and be strong. That’s life.
4. The joy of little things.
This is one of my favorites. I love waking up early, running a few miles, having the sensation of achieving a daily goal, and then pampering myself with a healthy breakfast, and a cup of tea. I’m doing something good for myself, even when it might be hard to wake up at 5 am, but all those feelings and emotions fill my heart. Those are a few of the little things that make my daily life beautiful. What are yours?
5. Be in the here and now.
This might sound like the easiest one, but in fact, it’s the most difficult. Do you remember when was the last time you had a conversation with a friend or relative and you were not thinking about the last thing you saw on social media or what you were going to do the next day? We tend to think a lot about the past and the future, but the former is gone, and the latter is uncertain.
Being present and conscious about the here and now is not that easy, but when we do it, we start enjoying the small things in life more. Try it when you eat something: focus on the flavors in your mouth, on the textures, on every little feeling and sensation you get. Believe me, it’s going to be trippy, but you’ll want to do it again. That is a very good exercise to be in the here and now.
Now you have the instructions. So, before you start practicing the ikigai pillars, ask yourself what you love, what you are good at, what you can be paid for now, and what the world needs. With these answers, you will be one step closer to ikigai.
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Don’t miss these articles to find some inspiration to start the new year anew:
New Year’s Resolutions: 7 Easy Tips To Save Money And Finally Travel
10 New Year’s Resolutions That You Can Accomplish On January 1st
5 New Year’s Resolutions You Can Steal From Friends If You Still Don’t Have Your Own
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