Sick of your job or everyday life? A lot of people will suggest you need to find your "thing". So what is your "thing"? Many creative people may find life very dull as most corporate career, which doesn't reword you the way you want. Let's look into how you can find your passion, aka Ikigai in Japanese.

The definition of Ikigai

Ikigai, a Japanese concept deeply rooted in the culture, translates to "a reason to live" or "reason for being." It embodies the pursuit of joy, fulfillment, and purpose in life through a harmonious integration of one's passions, talents, and contributions to the community. Stemming from the combination of "iki," meaning life, and "gai," meaning worth, ikigai encapsulates the essence of living with intention and finding meaning in everyday existence. It entails a continuous journey of self-reflection, introspection, and personal growth, aiming to unlock the ultimate reward: a life filled with happiness and contentment. This philosophy underscores the importance of staying active, embracing challenges, making meaningful contributions, and aligning one's actions with a sense of purpose and well-being. In essence, ikigai serves as a guiding principle for individuals seeking fulfillment and longevity, offering a pathway to living a purpose-driven and meaningful life.

A Quick History of Ikigai

The concept of ikigai has deep historical roots in Japanese culture, dating back to the Heian period (794 to 1185). As a mountainous island, Japan is definitely not an agricultural country and people never had enough food. Its origin can be traced to the idea of finding value in living, with "gai" originally derived from the word "kai," which referred to highly prized shells. Over time, "ikigai" evolved into a comprehensive concept encapsulating the value of life and the pursuit of purpose and fulfillment. The philosophy surrounding ikigai gained prominence in Japan, influencing various aspects of daily life and societal norms. Ikigai is deeply intertwined with Japanese notions of spirituality, community, and personal well-being, contributing to the country's cultural identity and its reputation for longevity and happiness.

Is it possible to do what you love?

This video by Christ Do offers invaluable insights into the concept of Ikigai, delivered by one of the most best educators in fostering creative career paths.

How to find your Ikigai?

It would be harder to do this if you studied in Asian school, where you study like a robot and never tried to explore what you like during childhood. A lot of people I know do have to go through this in their midlife crisis with a closed mindset. As long as you feel the dread in your diary job and aware that you are depressed, it is a good start to go through this soul-searching process.  Here are the steps to guide you in discovering your ikigai:

1. Aware of your emotions: For me, practicing being aware of when I am happy is the start. Begin by identifying activities, interests, and experiences that bring you happiness and fulfillment. Consider moments when you feel most alive, engaged, and energized. These can be hobbies, creative pursuits, or aspects of your personal or professional life that resonate deeply with you. A great tip is you will share with people you like on what you like to do unconsciously.
2. Identify your strengths: Take stock of your skills, talents, and abilities. Reflect on tasks or activities where you excel and receive positive feedback from others. Your strengths could be in areas such as creativity, problem-solving, communication, leadership, or empathy.
3. Consider what the world needs: Explore the societal, environmental, or community needs that resonate with you. Think about how you can contribute to addressing these needs and making a positive impact in the world. This could involve volunteering, advocacy, social entrepreneurship, or other forms of service.
4. Evaluate what you can be paid for: Assess your professional skills and expertise, as well as market demand for your talents. Identify opportunities for monetizing your passions and strengths, whether through employment, entrepreneurship, freelancing, or other income-generating activities.
5. Find the intersection: Look for the overlap between what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. This intersection represents your ikigai—the unique combination of passion, purpose, and vocation that brings meaning to your life. Reflect on how you can align your daily activities and long-term goals with your ikigai.
6. Experiment and iterate: Don't be afraid to try new things and explore different paths on your journey to finding your ikigai. Stay open to learning, growth, and adaptation along the way. Pay attention to how different experiences resonate with you and adjust your course accordingly. Don't give up when you are not gaining any following.
7. Take action: Once you've identified your ikigai, take deliberate steps to integrate it into your life. Cultivate habits, routines, and relationships that support your sense of purpose and fulfillment. Most likely you will notice that your ikigai will slowly becomes your brand and gain following on the way. Open a patronage account on UniFans and receive support from your fans in the community you built.

Unifans is a membership sponsorship platform operated by an international team with an audience spanning the Chinese and English-speaking worlds. The platform welcomes creators of all kinds to join, and web novels are an important category within the content matrix.

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