One of the secrets to a happy life is, without a doubt, that feeling of fulfillment at the end of an ordinary day. As simple and obvious as this sounds, identifying whatever it is that makes us feel fulfilled is not necessarily easy. I also like to think that it can change or shift depending on what season we are in life. For example, when I was a young parent, raising my son to become a kind, thoughtful, independent, and productive member of society was a primary source of personal fulfillment. But once he was out of the house and on his own, it was time to reevaluate my life, to hone in on what I loved to do, what I was good at, what would provide an income, and how these three things intersected with what would be useful for the world.
In 2012 adventurer and journalist Dan Buettner wrote about the five places around the world where people live the longest. He called these places the Blue Zones. And soon after, writers Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles were walking-and-talking in Tokyo, discussing trends in Western psychology. The conversation eventually landed on the Japanese concept of ikigai — roughly explained in English as the activities that give one’s life meaning — and the remarkable longevity of the people living on Okinawa, one of the blue zones identified by Buettner. Out of that conversation came a collaboration: Ikigai — The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, a book that quickly became an international bestseller.
We don’t have to relocate to Okinawa to learn how to adapt ikigai to our Western lifestyle. This diagram of four overlapping circles (above) is a wonderful brainstorming tool for anyone in search of a clearer understanding of what makes them happy or a desire to identify their higher purpose. At the center is the sweet spot, where what one is passionate about, what one values, what they’re good at doing, and what they can be paid to do, all come together.
Working through each of the circles is not a quick process! Allow yourself the time and space to add to your diagram without rushing. Think of it as an evolving map of your interests, skills, and values. If your heart desires, try color-coding, using a different colored pen for each area, saving a favorite color for your ikigai.
Interested in learning more about this Japanese secret to a longer and happier life? Here are some additional resources:
• Ikigai — The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles
• My Little Ikigai Journal by Amanda Kudo (a beautifully designed workbook for self-discovery)
• “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” – a docuseries by Dan Buettner, available on Netflix.