Introduction to Ikigai
In a world filled with diverse philosophies on happiness and purpose, “Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life” has gained substantial attention. For those unfamiliar with the book, Ikigai is a case study of the well-aged residents of Ogimi, a small village in Okinawa, Japan. The book outlines key insights and practical wisdom that make up the Japanese longevity secret. In this blog post, we will review the 10 rules of Ikigai and discuss how we can apply its timeless value to our everyday lives.
A Review of the 10 Rules of Ikigai
- Stay Active; Don’t Retire: Ikigai encourages an active lifestyle to maintain a sense of purpose. The authors compared the sedentary lifestyle of the Western culture with the active lifestyle of the Japanese culture. One of the secrets they discovered as mentioned by the natives of Ogimi is the emphasis on remaining active till the very end. This rule encourages people to find something they enjoy doing that will keep them active, so they can enjoy a long and happy life.
- Take it Slow: One of the biggest mistakes people make is when they find something they are passionate about, they start to compare themselves to their competition. This is an unhealthy mindset that has robbed many of their peace and by extension shortened their lifespan. As mentioned in the book, “When we leave urgency behind, life and time take on new meaning.”
- Don’t fill your Stomach: A translated Japanese proverb states, “Eating to only 80% full keeps the doctors away.” This means that you should only eat till you are almost food so you still have energy left to do other things aside from digestion. When we eat till we are full, we have most likely already eaten too much. This explains why we start to feel bloated. This slows down the body and diverts all energy towards the digestive system.
- Surround yourself with good friends: The key point in this rule is “good friends.” I strongly believe that having no friends is way better than having bad friends. This is because bad friends always leave you worse than they met you. On the contrary, good friends are like a breath of fresh air, they encourage, support, and inspire you to be the best version of yourself. A friend circle that is driven by competition, strife, jealousy, and hatred is very unhealthy in the long run and it is a battle that no one has ever won, so don’t be delusional to think that you will be the exception to the rule. You don’t need a whole village as friends to have a happy and long life. Most times, you just need only a few people in your circle. Those are the people who will do life with you and you will see each other through thick and thin.
- Get in shape for your next birthday: I think this rule is very interesting to me because I started doing this last year before I realized that I got the idea from this book. Getting in shape for your next birthday is giving yourself something to look forward to. Look at it like Habit staking as discussed in the book, Atomic Habits by James Clear. You are always looking forward to your birthday so you can combine that expectation with another healthy but sustainable expectation that will help you improve your mental, spiritual, emotional, and/or physical well-being. Although the book mentions this specifically for physical exercise, I believe it can also be applied in other areas of one’s life.
- Smile: I personally like it when I get the compliment that I have a beautiful smile. It makes me feel good and makes me want to smile more. It is often said that a cheerful heart produces a cheerful attitude which is seen as a beautiful smile. When you smile, it sends a signal to your brain that there is something you are happy about which in turn lightens up your mood and vice-versa. The opposite is true when you frown. Smiling, as mentioned in the book, helps with building social connections so when you find yourself in a social gathering, try to smile and genuinely mean it.
- Reconnect with nature: I do believe that every person needs to interact with nature, whether or not you are an outdoor person. For some, it is more than others but we all need some level of interaction with our environment to “rejuvenate the body and give the mind a moment of peace.” I, for example, love going on a walk outside. Someone else might prefer hiking, fishing, cycling, and many more. For you, it could mean doing that one outdoor activity that helps you reconnect with nature.
- Give thanks: gratitude is essential for living a purposeful life. We were wired to always dwell on the past, the present, or the future so much that we don’t thank God for the present moment gift of life, the past testimonies, and look forward to the better days ahead. Gratitude helps us pause to appreciate the smaller things so we can better visualize the bigger picture. A life full of gratitude is mostly freed from stress, worry, and anxiety.
- Live in the moment: Many people, especially visioners, tend to become so consumed by the future that when the future comes, they don’t have the time to enjoy it because they are already caught up in the “next” future. If this is you, relax and take a deep breath. The future wants you to know that it will be here soon which is why you are preparing for it, but more than anything, the past also wants you to know that it will never return, so listen to the quiet voice of the present and live in the moment. As mentioned in the book, “Stop regretting the past and fearing the future. Today is all you have. Make the most of it. Make it worth remembering.”
- Follow your Ikigai: Your Ikigai is the passion inside you. Aligning one’s purpose with passion and mission is the singular rule that embodies all the other rules. As Viktor E. Frankl once said, “When a person can’t find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure.” Many people are constantly seeking pleasure everywhere but the place where they can find it. The ultimate pleasure is within you. That’s your Ikigai. When you know your why, that’s when you truly start living. Your Ikigai will keep evolving, its is your life’s mission to follow it till the very end.
Conclusion
“The 10 Rules of Ikigai” is a well-intentioned guide that provides readers with a concise roadmap for discovering purpose and meaning in life. While the post provides clarity and practical guidance drawn from the book, there is room for further depth and exploration. We highly recommend you get the book and read it if you haven’t done so already. It is a great read for anyone seeking to unlock the secrets of a purposeful and fulfilling life.
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Till next time!
