What the Book Ikigai Has Taught Me

 

If there's one book I would recommend in this lifetime, and one I’d gladly read over and over again, it’s Ikigai. It’s an easy-to-read book filled with practical insights and lessons we can apply to life.

Ikigai contains so many valuable insights that can motivate us to push forward and inspire us to find our own “sweet spot.” What are your passions? Do you enjoy what you’re doing? Have you found your purpose in life? These are questions worth pondering as we go through life’s challenges.

I must say, Ikigai feels like a secular version of Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life. There are so many lessons to learn from this book, and here are the 10 things I personally took away:

1. Stay active, don’t retire.
   When you stay active, you keep yourself busy—and when you’re busy, your focus is on meaningful things. This is one of the keys to a long life. So even in old age, don’t ever think of “retiring” from life. Keep doing what you love and stay active.

2. Take it slow.
   Don’t rush all the time. Take moments to absorb situations, events, or experiences. There’s no need to hurry. Pause once in a while and learn to appreciate life.

3. Don’t fill your stomach.
   In eating, less is more. Follow the 80% rule: don’t eat until you’re completely full. Stop eating when you feel about 80% satisfied—not 100% and definitely not more than your body can handle. Control your appetite.

4. Surround yourself with good friends.
   Distance yourself from toxic people. Instead, spend time with good friends. Talk about life, dreams, music, and meaningful things—not gossip.

5. Get in shape.
   Keep moving and keep exercising. Like water, when the body stays stagnant, it deteriorates. Make sure you stay physically fit and healthy. Hike, climb mountains, or simply move to keep your blood flowing and your spirit alive.

6. Smile.
   When you smile—even on bad days—you’ll often get a smile in return from the people around you.

7. Reconnect with nature.
   Nature is the best stress-reliever and the best healer. Spend time outdoors without Wi-Fi, without Facebook—just you and nature.

8. Give thanks.
   Be grateful to God, to your ancestors, your family, your friends, and everyone who has been part of your journey.

9. Live in the moment.
   Forget about the past or the future—focus on the present. The Japanese call this ichigo ichie: “once in a lifetime” moments.

10. Follow your ikigai.
    Do what makes you happy. Pursue what you’re passionate about. And if you haven’t found your purpose yet, then make it your mission to discover it.