In a world that constantly forces us to chase status, success, and material wealth, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure of where we are going. Many of us reach the point where we pause and ask what the purpose of our life is. But we can’t find the clear answer to our own question. We achieve almost everything, but we are not aware of what the exact purpose of life is. We almost chase the money rather than the purpose. This is where the ancient Japanese philosophy of Ikigai offers clarity. Rooted in the simple moments.
What Is Ikigai?
Ikigai is nothing but the Japanese concept that gives us the true meaning of “reason for being.”
Before that, let’s understand what the meaning of “ikigai” is.
Iki (生き) = life
Gai (甲斐) = value, worth, or benefit
It has four core pillars.
- What you love
- What you’re good at
- What the world needs
- What you can be paid for
When these four elements align, you uncover the purpose of life. It’s not just about the job or passion. It’s overall the life mission: peace, passion, and purpose.
Four Pillars of Ikigai
1. What You Love
This Circle of IKIGAI is all about Authentic Passion & Joy. Most of the time we find our passion from childhood curiosity, and when we do the things of our passion, time flies. We were deep in that thing. Our passion can be storytelling, content writing, drawing, or cooking for friends when we do the things that we love. Time Disappears. For example, we sit in the morning to do the drawing. We don’t have any ideas now that it’s evening.
We feel it flow. Our emotions are uplifted. We feel happier & more positive. The key here is self-awareness. Here, the hour feels like minutes.
2. What You’re Good At
This Circle of IKIGAI is the combination of the natural & practical. Now you are thinking about what is natural & practical. Let me share: it’s the combination of abilities, one you have naturally gifted & another you learn through the practicals & experiences.
It’s not just limited to hard skills like coding, programming, or accounting. It includes soft skills like communication, empathy, and the skill of knowing how to talk with people. This brings you closer to your purpose in life.
How to Identify What You Are Good At
- Look for the Compliment We Often Receive
- Think about challenges you can solve easily.
3. What the World Needs
This Circle of IKIGAI is simply about where you can make a life better by just a small gesture, a small gift to someone, or help to a small business to grow online. It’s like giving more than taking. Giving has much more power than taking it. Satisfy Your Soul is just another level of happiness. When your passion meets the world’s needs, you’re not just helping; you’re creating meaning, both for others and yourself.
4. What You Can Be Paid For
This Circle of IKIGAI is the practical side of your Ikigai. It’s where your skills, talents, and passions meet the market’s demand. It’s about identifying activities or services you can offer that people are willing to exchange money for. This doesn’t have to mean chasing only “big money” careers; it can also mean monetizing something you love doing.
For example, if you create beautiful handmade cards or design digital planners, there’s a market for them on platforms like Etsy. If you have storytelling skills, businesses might pay you for content writing or branding.
Purpose of Life in Work
We don’t have to quit our job to live with purpose. Even a 9-5 job can bring IKIGAI to your life. Even a 9-5 job brings purpose to your life. IKGAI is all about celebrating the little things, small wins. There is no need for a grand celebration. We should celebrate our bond with colleagues and our work culture and appreciate when someone else wins. Also find happiness in the little things and every day. Every day is the purpose of living that day full of joy & enthusiasm.
Decluttering the Noise
We are bombarded by social media, comparison, and pressure. To hear your inner voice, you must declutter mentally & emotionally. Clear the Noise to Hear the Purpose of Your Life.
Don’t chase the perfect life. Choose the Purposeful. No one lives perfectly here; they make perfection through consistency and self-awareness. Even when you get messy, your purpose in life keeps you grounded. Always Choose Progress Over Perfection. It’s okay not to be okay sometimes. When we declutter the noise, we get the clear purpose of life.
Tools That Help
- Ikigai Venn Diagrams
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Vision boards
- Mentorship and coaching
- Reflective journaling
These tools help uncover your purpose of life gently and clearly.
Daily Purpose Rituals
- Morning reflection
- Gratitude journaling
- Doing one thing you love daily
- Helping someone intentionally
- Ending the day with a lesson learned
These rituals create purpose in life through consistency.
Balancing Passion and Practicality
One common misconception is that Ikigai is just about “doing what you love.” But that’s only one part of the equation.
Imagine you love painting but refuse to sell your art or adapt your style for market demand. Without income, you might face financial stress, and stress can crush your passion.
Likewise, imagine you work in a high-paying job that you dislike. Over time, the money loses its shine, and burnout takes over.
Ikigai exists to prevent these extremes to help you live in a space where:
- You do meaningful work.
- You use your best skills.
- You earn enough to sustain your lifestyle.
- You feel connected to the bigger picture & start living the purpose of life.
Conclusion
Your Ikigai isn’t hiding in a single career, hobby, or life choice.
It’s woven into how you live your life every single day. It’s in the small joys, the deep connections, the work that makes a difference, and yes, even in how you make a living.
The beauty of Ikigai is that it’s unique to you & your purpose of life. No one else can define it for you, and no one else can live it for you.
So start today. Reflect. Explore. Create. Give.
And one day, you’ll wake up and realize you’re already living your Ikigai.
