I had been feeling stuck for some time now. My  job  did not seem fulfilling, and I felt like I had been going through a mental block when one of the days , I saw an Instagram page which reviews books. I stumbled upon a review on “Ikigai - a non fictional book attempting to methodically talk about finer things in life”.

I further decided to indulge into my curiosity and started with the audiobook “ Ikigai  discovering the wonderful journey which will take you to the villages of Japan with  best cup of green tea to have a tête-à-tête  with some of oldest living happy humans and ikigai lifestyle and diet , introducing us to concepts such as logo therapy , flow & anti- fragility 

Japanese word that combines iki, meaning "life," and gai, meaning "value" or "worth." In other words, ikigai is the value or worth that you find in your life. It's what gives your life meaning and purpose.

There are four elements that make up Ikigai:

When these four elements come together, they create a sense of purpose and fulfillment that can lead to a long and happy life.

The Four Elements of Ikigai

What You Love

The first element of ikigai is what you love. This refers to the things that you're passionate about and that bring you joy. It could be anything from playing music to cooking to spending time with friends and family. Whatever it is, it's something that you look forward to and that makes you happy.

What You're Good At

The second element of ikigai is what you're good at. This refers to your skills and talents, the things that you excel at. It could be anything from writing to painting to playing sports  Whatever it is, it's something that you're confident in and that you feel proud of.

What the World Needs

The third element of ikigai is what the world needs. This refers to the things that you can do to make a positive impact on the world. It could be anything from volunteering to helping others to solving a problem in your community. Whatever it is, it's something that makes the world a better place.

What You Can Be Paid For

The fourth element of ikigai is what you can be paid for. This refers to the things that you can do to make a living. It could be anything from working in a job that you enjoy to starting your own business. Whatever it is, it's something that allows you to support yourself and your family.

Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles   explore the concept of “purpose in life “,which in  simple words refers to driving force in our life  The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life is a book written by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles both explores the concept. They  explain this through examples of the oldest people living in world one being California, USA and other Okinawa Japan . 
 When we look up on the internet to find what Ikigai is  we are met with  rules to live by

Never Retire 

As we grow older, we start thinking about retirement and how we will spend our golden years. But, what if I told you that retiring may not be the best idea? That's right, studies on longevity in certain communities in Japan and California have shown that people who have kept themselves engaged in activities  and doing what they love , eventually discovering their ikigai never retired  keeping their mind and body  stimulated and active

Discovering what your mind is capable of

Ikigai is a holistic approach to wellness and lifestyle . It is about utilizing the brain to its potential and living a deliberate, unhurried life that is centered around doing what you love and finding joy in the routine.

What makes your life worth living despite of its downfalls

Author of Ikigai touch upon Logotherapy being closely related to achieving ikigai , in simpler terms finding objectives and things which makes your life worth living, it can’t always be the long term goals , it can as simple as what we look forward to in our tomorrow it can be our favourite food , favourite person we want to wake up to , a task we take joy in . Logo-therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that emphasizes the search for meaning and purpose in life as a way to alleviate psychological distress and promote personal growth. It was developed by Viktor Frankl, an Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, who believed that people could overcome even the most difficult and challenging circumstances if they found a sense of meaning in their lives.

Logotherapy is based on three main principles:

The will to meaning: This principle posits that individuals have an innate desire to find meaning and purpose in their lives

Freedom of will: This principle suggests that individuals have the freedom to choose their attitudes and responses to life's circumstances, even in the face of adversity. Logotherapy helps individuals recognize their own agency and take responsibility for their own lives.

Meaning in life: This principle is rather  it emerges as a byproduct of pursuing one's goals and values. Logotherapy helps individuals identify their core values and goals, and work towards achieving .Meaning in life: This principle is rather  it emerges as a byproduct of pursuing one's goals and values. Logotherapy helps individuals identify their core values and goals, and work towards achieving .

Ikigai and Flow 

Being in flow is a state of mind where you are fully absorbed in an activity, completely focused and energized. It is a state where time seems to stand still and you feel a sense of enjoyment and fulfillment in what you are doing. According to ikigai, being in flow is a key component of finding one's purpose in life and achieving a sense of overall well-being.

The concept of flow was first introduced by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who studied the experience of optimal human performance and enjoyment. He found that people who are engaged in activities that are challenging and require their full attention are more likely to experience flow. They provide us with an example of people who have found their Ikigai include chefs, ceramists, and artists like Miyazaki from Studio Ghibli. They lead a disciplined life, doing what they love and never really tiring from their Ikigai. They talk about being in the flow and feeling passionate about their work. Even people who take pleasure in routine tasks or simple tasks such as cooking can find their Ikigai.

Anti-Fragility - Having a strong knit group of friends / community 

In the context of ikigai, anti-fragility can be seen as the ability to not just survive challenges, but to grow and become stronger through challenges moments in one’s life  This is because ikigai is not just about finding one's purpose in life, but also about embracing change and adapting to newness . Another way that ikigai promotes anti-fragility is by emphasizing the importance of community and social connections to which japanese call Moai . Having a strong network of friends and family members can provide support and encouragement during difficult times and times we need somewhere we belong.

Healthy diet , exercise, Sleep &  reconnecting with Nature 

One of the key aspects of the Ikigai lifestyle is a healthy diet and Hara Ha chi Bu that is eating only uptil one is 80% full . It is important to consume more vegetables and proteins, as well as limit processed foods and sugar. Additionally, regular exercise  such as yoga is necessary for both the mind and body.Sleep is another important factor in the Ikigai lifestyle. Melatonin decreases after the age of thirty, so it is important to get enough sleep and eat nutritious food to keep looking young and feeling energized. Managing stress levels and emotions is also important for long-term utility.

Meditation is also an important practice in the Ikigai lifestyle. It can help clarify your mental horizons and allow you to focus on your purpose. It is also important to avoid micromanaging your tasks and allowing yourself to be fully present in the moment.

Finally, dopamine detox from mobile phones is a necessary step in order to achieve mental clarity and focus.Mobile phones have become a constant source of distraction and practising a detox away from high tech devices are another ways to bring peace in your mind . Reconnecting with nature and hobbies which are one of keys to live longer .

The book calls Ikigai “ An art of living “ referring to life worth living for years to come making one not only intellectually flexible and adaptable but living your life worth its value , it had been one of the most inspiring audio books I had come across it left me inspired and motivated  to live my life in a better. It was a reminder to slow down, enjoy the simple things, and find joy in the present moment.

it helped me to break free from the rut and start living more meaningfully.

Hope you enjoyed my review ! 

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Nicole Probha  

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