Have you felt directionless lately? Like sure, you have a job and all the necessities in life but there’s an empty gnawing feeling inside you that you can’t seem to pinpoint the reason to. You wake up every day functioning… but not really living.

If you’re experiencing or even familiar with this feeling, then this is for you. You’re not alone.

 But if NOT, you can skip ahead and proceed to the next post, no hard feelings. 😉 

My First Encounter With Ikigai

When I was having my early morning walk, I recently encountered an interesting podcast about IKIGAI, The Ikigai Podcast and I found out that there were misconceptions about the term. 

Based on the Japanese etymology,

• 生き (iki) = “to live” / “life”
  
• 甲斐 (gai) = “worth,” “value,” or “benefit”
  

So ikigai literally means “the worth of living” or  “that which makes life feel worth living”.

A simple concept, yet surprisingly misunderstood? 

Where the Western World Got It Twisted

Unfortunately, I was under the assumption that Ikigai is an action of an overlapping concept of doing something you love, doing something you’re good at, doing what the world needs and doing what you can be paid for. I thought Ikigai was this magical formula, where passion, skill, purpose, and money all meet in one perfect spot.

But what if you’re doing different things in these different areas? Like maybe doing something that really pays well but not really something you love. Does it mean you haven’t had your Ikigai? Am I supposed to be a superhero to align all four at once?

It’s been plastered everywhere in self-help books, TED Talks, Pinterest quotes and disseminated to many people, and I think a lot of people are following the information behind the Western interpretation of Ikagai. 

The Popular Ikigai Venn Diagram

Based on the Western interpretation, strategic “sweet spot” for life purpose, often shown as a 4-circle Venn diagram: 

Western Ikigai Model	Meaning
What you love	Passion, interests, intrinsic motivation
What you are good at	Skills, natural talents
What the world needs	Market, social relevance
What you can be paid for	Viable income, economic demand

Pressure Sets In

The overlap of all four is labeled Ikigai → Your “ultimate” purpose.

These are commonly used for career, entrepreneurship, side hustles, personal development planning and even work-life alignment. 

Based on the aforementioned things, I got somewhat pressured because it seems like the things I’ve been doing don’t seem to align with the “concept” of Ikigai. I suddenly felt like I was late to some ‘life purpose’ deadline.

I created a Table of my own to assess if I’m on the right track.

Western Ikigai Model	Meaning	My life currently…
What you love	Passion, interests, intrinsic motivation	I love traveling, writing, helping and having a quality conversation with the people around me.
What you are good at	Skills, natural talents	Hmm plenty of skills.. Teaching, digital marketing , writing, eating good food, collecting memories 😉
What the world needs	Market, social relevance	World peace and quality lifestyle to live a good life
What you can be paid for	Viable income, economic demand	Teaching (can’t pay my bills though huhu), digital marketing (money is okay but fulfillment is lacking.

As I look at these things, I get more pressured LOL but also… yikes.

Why? 

Because apparently, I’m failing at purpose.

And because it seems like I’m not living my life in an “Ikigai” way. 

A Sudden “Aha!” Moment…

So I closed my eyes and thought very hard with a question in mind (yes, dramatic staring-into-the-sky moment included), What should I do with my life and the career I should pursue in order for me to achieve Ikigai?

And it hit me. I should become a Doctor. 

Boom. Instant life plan.

I know, it seems like the only logical thing at that time but what can I say? I’ve always loved helping whether it’s teaching, listening, or just being there. I love helping people. I might get good at doctoring if I study. The world surely needs capable physicians and the pay is not bad. 

Then another thought hit me, Med school is VERY EXPENSIVE. And on top of that, I’m also supporting my siblings to school. Maybe perhaps one of the things that could help me realize this is to have a scholarship. If you know any scholarships, let me know. 

That dream? Still on the shelf for now.

The Japanese Meaning Is Much Simpler

So going back to what Ikigai really is. 

Going back to the podcast I listened to and searching for the meaning of the Ikigai in Japan. I found out that the Japanese term Ikigai simply means what makes life worth living. Not a grand mission. Not a world-saving task. Just… joy in existence.

It’s not as grand as what the Westerners said about purpose and whatnot of life but it simply means your reason why you get up in the morning. It’s more coffee-at-sunrise than CEO-of-a-startup vibes (*wink *wink). 

Ikigai Is Found in Everyday Joy

It can be your family, friends,  pets, fur babies, the food you’re planning to eat when you go on your next trip, the house you’ve been planning to have, the love of your life,  or your job. Even that milk tea order you’ve been craving since Tuesday. 

Based on my limited understanding (since I’m not an expert yet), Ikigai falls more on the social construct. Ikigai isn’t about what you produce,  it’s about what you cherish.Not much YOU but more on the things, people, and even ideas that makes you ponder your reason for living. 

The widely known Filipino phrase by Nescafe “Para kanino ka bumabangon?”  hits more than ever.

So… What Makes You Wake Up in the Morning?

Let go of the fancy concept of “Ikigai” and its purpose. You don’t need a career-shaped purpose to be worthy. Sure, it may be the Ikigai of some but trust me, it doesn’t have to be yours. 

So ponder for a moment now and ask yourself, “What makes this life worth living?”.

Your Ikigai doesn’t have to shout. Sometimes, it’s a whisper that feels like home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ikigai mean in Japanese?

Ikigai combines iki (to live) and gai (worth/value). It refers to what makes life worth living, often small, everyday reasons to wake up in the morning.

Is the 4-circle Venn diagram the true definition of ikigai?

Not exactly. The Western Venn diagram is a modern tool for career alignment. The original Japanese concept is more about joy and meaning found in daily living.

How can I find my ikigai if my job doesn’t feel fulfilling?

Focus on small moments that give you energy, relationships, hobbies, tiny pleasures. Ikigai can coexist with your job and evolve slowly over time.