Finding Purpose in Simplicity

What "Ikigai" The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life Taught Me About Work, Life & Meaning

In the fast-moving world of deadlines, metrics, and endless ambition, it’s easy to lose sight of something deeply important: why we do what we do.

Reading Ikigai by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles felt like stepping out of the noise and into stillness. The book doesn’t just offer ideas for longevity - it delivers timeless wisdom for anyone seeking balance, purpose, and peace.

“Our ikigai is different for all of us, but one thing we have in common is that we are all searching for meaning.”

What Is Ikigai?

At its core, ikigai means “reason for being.” It’s not tied to your job title or achievements - it’s the thing that makes you feel alive. It might be what you create, who you serve, how you help, or simply what brings you joy.

The authors travel to Okinawa, Japan - home to some of the world’s longest-living people, to uncover how ikigai manifests in everyday life. There, purpose isn’t a luxury. It’s the thread woven into daily routines.

Small Rituals, Big Meaning

One of the most refreshing lessons in Ikigai is the power of small habits. Okinawans move gently, eat mindfully, laugh often, and stay active long after “retirement age.”

“Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years.”

They live by hara hachi bu - eating until 80% full - and embrace wabi-sabi - the beauty of imperfection. Their way of living isn’t about optimization. It’s about alignment with nature, community, and craft.

Purpose Isn’t Always Loud

Not everyone finds their ikigai in a career. Some find it in mentoring, volunteering, parenting, or even a quiet creative hobby. The book offers a beautiful Venn diagram of four intersecting circles:

• What you love

• What you’re good at

• What the world needs

• What you can be paid for

Your ikigai lies at the center. And it doesn’t have to be perfect - it just has to be real.

“Walk slowly, and you’ll go far.”

What I Took Away

As a student, this book reminded me that productivity isn’t the same as purpose. That slowing down isn’t falling behind. And that success means little without joy and meaning attached to it.

It helped me reflect not only on how I work, but why I work, and how to stay connected to what truly matters in the midst of pressure and performance.

“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be enjoyed.”

If you're feeling stuck, burned out, or simply curious about a better way of living, Ikigai is a quiet companion worth spending time with. You may not finish it with all the answers, but you’ll walk away with better questions.

So, what’s your ikigai? And how are you nurturing it today?

Let’s talk:

🔹 What gives you purpose right now?

🔹 Have you read Ikigai? What stayed with you? Drop your thoughts in the comments or message me, I’d love to hear your perspective.

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