On the Japanese island of Okinawa, people live longer than anywhere else in the world. And the key to the island’s longevity, which has the highest concentration of centenarians in the world, is finding your ‘ikigai’. Ikigai is an ancient Japanese philosophy that helps people find meaningful activities in their lives. The term combines “iki” (life) and “gai” (reason) and loosely translates to “the happiness of always being busy.” This concept is essential in ensuring a long and happy life.
“Our ikigai is different for each of us, but one thing we have in common is that we are all searching for meaning,” explains Hector Garcia, co-author of The Ikigai Method: The Secrets of Japanese Philosophy for a Long and Happy Life. Ikigai helps us to bring harmony between our bodies and minds, encouraging us to find activities we excel in, enjoy, and that benefit others. To discover your Ikigai, four things must be considered: activities you love, activities the world needs, activities you can get paid for, and activities you do well. Creating lists for each category can help identify an activity that intersects all four, whether it be a hobby, sport, or career.
Ikigai urges people to simplify their lives by pursuing what brings them joy, as explained by Marie Kondo, the decluttering expert and advocate of the method. By focusing on lifestyle habits that align with your Ikigai, you can find a fulfilling purpose that enhances both your life and the lives of those around you.
1. **Stay active and never retire:** Embrace a lifelong engagement with activities you love to keep you feeling young and happy.
2. **Slow down for quality living:** Savour every moment and enhance life’s meaning through deliberate living.
3. **Eat mindfully:** Opt for satisfaction over excess and enjoy meals to 80% capacity for long-term happiness.
4. **Cultivate friendships:** Nurture relationships for true happiness and longevity through community bonds and friendly competitions.
5. **Exercise:** Prepare for each birthday with a fitness goal to find those endorphin highs.
6. **Embrace smiles:** Gratitude for the present enriches daily life and acknowledges life’s opportunities.
7. **Reconnect with nature:** Nature refreshes our minds and spirits, boosting productivity, mood, and memory.
8. **Practice gratitude:** Reflect on life’s blessings to cultivate happiness and contentment.
9. **Live in the moment:** Release past regrets and future anxieties, making each moment memorable and meaningful.
10. **Finding your purpose:** Enrich life with happiness and fulfillment by guiding each day towards personal and collective well-being.
Understanding and embracing Ikigai can lead to a longer and happier life by finding meaningful activities and purpose. By incorporating the key habits encouraged by Ikigai into daily life, one can experience the benefits of living with intention and satisfaction. Find your Ikigai and embark on a journey towards a fulfilling and purposeful life.