Looking for My IKIGAI

Today, while tumbling down one of those serendipitous rabbit holes that only the internet or a strangely introspective Tuesday can provide, I stumbled upon a Japanese concept: IKIGAI.

At first blush, it sounds like a stylish new sushi roll or a designer hybrid car. But no, IKIGAI is something far more nutritious for the soul.

IKIGAI (生き甲斐) is a beautiful, quietly revolutionary idea that translates to "a reason for being." Picture a Venn diagram doing yoga in a Zen garden. It consists of four overlapping circles:

1. What you love

2. What you are good at

3. What the world needs

4. What you can be paid for

When these circles align—when passion, vocation, mission, and profession meet—you’ve found your sweet spot. Or rather, your IKIGAI. It’s not just a career move. It’s a long game for longevity, purpose, and well-being. Western work culture tends to ask, “What do you do?” IKIGAI dares to ask, “Why do you wake up?”

The Overlap Is Where the Magic Lives

What really piqued my interest was the nuanced beauty in the overlaps. Take, for instance, the romantic intersection of “what I love” and “what the world needs.” That’s where I tentatively place my writing and painting—though my skills are humble, there’s always someone out there craving leisure, connection, or simply a nicely painted teacup.

And while these creative pursuits might not currently bankroll my mortgage, they feed my spirit. If someday the stars align and I get paid for something I love, that meets a global need, and I’m good at it—well, then I might just throw out my calendar. Retirement? Never heard of her.

Think of musicians like AC/DC, still rocking out in their seventies. Do they need to keep performing? Probably not. But do they want to? Absolutely. That’s IKIGAI. Stage lights are their sunrise.

The Day Job vs. The Dream Job

Now, let’s be honest. Most of us, myself included, dwell outside the center of the Venn diagram. I run a small business distributing mechanical parts. It’s stable, it pays the bills, and occasionally it brings joy—though that joy is usually invoiced in triplicate.

But it doesn’t exactly make my heart sing.

That’s why I carve out time for writing and painting. These acts of self-expression may never be lucrative, but they bring balance to the soul and sketch the outline of my personal IKIGAI. They remind me that life isn’t just about quarterly reports and mechanical parts, but also about colors, words, and maybe a well-placed metaphor.

The Tricky Part: Timing the Trend

Here’s the catch. Even when you find your IKIGAI, the world might change its mind.

You may love playing video games. Once upon a time, the world loved watching you do it—and it paid well. Fast forward a few years, the audience moves on, and suddenly your Twitch stream is lonelier than a fax machine at a tech startup.

Influencers faced this too. Remember the glory days when anyone with a ring light and a skincare routine could sell lip gloss to millions? Algorithms are fickle gods. What’s trendy today may be obsolete tomorrow. And yet, IKIGAI isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about tuning into your core.

Paint, Write, Rock On

Finding your IKIGAI isn’t a one-time revelation. It’s an ongoing, experimental art—like brewing the perfect cup of coffee or assembling IKEA furniture without crying. Some days, you’ll touch two parts of the diagram. On others, you might hit all four and feel like a purpose-fueled unicorn.

The secret isn’t in the paycheck or the applause. It’s in the pursuit. A little joy here, a bit of usefulness there, and enough self-awareness to laugh when your plan goes sideways.

In the end, maybe that’s all we’re really trying to do: wake up with purpose, work with joy, and go to sleep with a smile—preferably before the cats jump on the keyboard again.