Everything You Need to Know About Ikigai, the Japanese Secret to Living a Fulfilling Life
The search for meaning and fulfillment is as universal as anything in life.
What gives our life meaning? What allows us to live out a happy, fulfilling life without regret?
That’s exactly what the Japanese principle of ikigai (pronounced ‘ick-ee-guy’) seeks to help us answer.
But more than just answering the question in a general sense, ikigai offers a model for discovering exactly the unique endeavor that will give your life meaning and fulfillment, offering an actionable roadmap instead of general wisdom.
Our ikigai is different for all of us, but one thing we have in common is that we are all searching for meaning.– Hector Garcia Puigcerver
What is ikigai?
In Japanese, ikigai means “a reason for being” and Okinawans refer to it as “a reason to get up in the morning”. It’s your path to self-realization, unique to you in every way.
Each person’s ikigai is different, based on various beliefs and values, and it’s often found using two primary factors:
- What you love to do
- What you’re good at
Your ikigai is what makes your life worthwhile, those spontaneous actions and endeavors that pull you as opposed to you having to push to do them. It drives you without the need for typical motivation because you love it and believe in your ability because you’re competent at it.
Why is ikigai important?
In his book, Blue Zones: Lessons on Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest, author Dan Buettner sought to answer the question of what makes the world’s longest living people live so long.
In his quest, he studied the people of Okinawa, Japan and the surrounding provinces, which is home to the largest population of the longest living people in the world, with the village of Kitanakagusuku having a life expectancy of 89 years.
What did Buettner find? Millions of people all throughout Okinawa, Japan live by a principle called ikigai. And, as he concludes, he believes it’s one of the primary reasons people in Okinawa live such long, fulfilling lives.
How do you find your ikigai?
So, how do you find your own ikigai?
A more thorough and practical equation for ikigai is in the cross between four principles, represented by the below questions:
- What do you love to do?
- What are you good at (preferably, great at)?
- Does the world need it (does it offer value to other people)?
- Can you make money doing it?
By answering the above questions you can find a “sweet spot” that checks off all of these boxes, at least to some degree. By doing so, that will help you find a pursuit that will be wholly fulfilling and meaningful for you.
For example, if you’re an artist who loves to draw, and you’ve worked on your craft, there are many routes you can take. But taking ikigai into consideration, perhaps you could be an illustrator.
Illustrators help our favorite stories come to life in TV and film, stories that inspire us and help us cope with the challenges of daily life. I know I’m not alone in saying that my favorite stories have helped me through difficult times and the characters of those stories continue to inspire me to this day.
Plus, illustrators are paid well, so that would check everything off the list.
Finding your own ikigai might take time, and you need to allow your curiosity to run free, exploring both yourself and the world around you to find what is a perfect fit. However, it’s worth the time and effort.
Live your own ikigai
Years ago I, unknowingly, followed a similar path and explored all the things I’ve ever loved, the things I’m good at, and the values I most appreciated in other people. As a result, I eventually found my calling. For that reason, I can attest to the power of finding your own ikigai and can say, with certainty, that it was worth it.
What is your ikigai? What were you born to do? What do you have a passion for? And what gifts do you have that you can give to the world? Finding the intersection between these things can help you live a happy, meaningful, and fulfilling life.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.