I recently came across this article from the World Economic Forum about the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which loosely translates to this: "A reason for being."
From Wikipedia, Ikigai is:
The word ikigai is usually used to indicate the source of value in one's life or the things that make one's life worthwhile. Secondly, the word is used to refer to mental and spiritual circumstances under which individuals feel that their lives are valuable. It's not necessarily linked to one's economic status or the present state of society. Even if a person feels that the present is dark, but they have a goal in mind, they may feel ikigai. Behaviours that make us feel ikigai are not actions we are forced to take—these are natural and spontaneous actions.
To find this reason or purpose, the WEF article recommends starting with four questions:
- What do you love?
- What are you good at?
- What does the world need from you?
- What can you get paid for?
While there are four questions one can ask, the article goes on to say that, "Ikigai is a slower process and often has nothing to do with work or income."
I'd never heard of this concept, but I sure know what I'll be journaling about this week and beyond!
Header photo by Borna Bevanda on Unsplash. Thanks!
