Are you happy in life? I wish there was a metric we can look at and say that we're x% happy in life but we know there can't be one. Why? Simply because people think about their happiness, and it is a very subjective one that can't be generalised to a wider audience.
So how do we answer this question? Yesterday I came across a framework that originated from Japan called the "𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐢" - which translates to "purpose of life". Everything that you do in life is broadly classified into 𝟰 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀.
You do something because...
❤️ 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁
For example, you love travelling and meeting new people. You do this because you get pleasure & satisfaction out of it.
🏆 𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁
For example, you can be good at coding due to your experience in tech and practice. You do this because you've mastered a skill and perform better than others in it.
💰 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁
For example, the job that you do or anything that helps you pay the bills. Basically, these are the things that earn you money.
🌎 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝘁
For example, showing love and compassion towards animals or donating to a cause. You do this so that others around you are happy and you win as a whole.
When you are in a stage of life where you are doing things that check off all the above four, that means you've found your "𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐢" i.e., the purpose of your life.
Now, did I find my ikigai? Not yet.
I've always felt something missing from my life but didn't know how to fulfil it. At least now, when I see the world through the lens of ikigai, I know what quadrants I should be chasing after & focus to find the purpose of my life and live happily.
#ikigai #lifeadvice #lifeandhealth #happinesss