What gives our lives meaning is different for each person. The Ikigai method is a concept designed to help us discover this very individual meaning in life. This is done primarily through a specific and simple exercise. All you need is time, a pen, and paper.

“Ikigai” is Japanese and stands for “meaning of life" or "the feeling of having something worth getting up for in the morning”, and can therefore also be understood as a philosophy of life. What was originally meant by it and how Ikigai is interpreted today, especially in the West, you can read more details here. At the heart of the Ikigai method is a diagram of four intersecting circles. The intersection of all four areas represents Ikigai—the "meaning of life." Each circle represents a separate category: what we enjoy doing, what we are good at, what we can be paid for, and what the world needs.

The diagram can be easily integrated into a Reflection exercise Transforming the meaning of life is what we're going to talk about today. It can help you get closer to finding your life's meaning.

The Ikigai method: Try it yourself

Let me say this in advance: Maybe you'll find your Ikigai today with this exercise, but maybe not. Either way is perfectly fine, because the purpose of this exercise is, above all, to get started and reflect on yourself.

For the exercise you ideally have around the 30 minutes time and a Note and Pen Have it ready. Try not to overthink the things you're about to write down. Just write down whatever comes to mind first.

Step 1: Preparation

Draw a horizontal and a vertical line in the middle of your sheet of paper so that you four equal sections These four areas represent the four circles in the diagram. Now start in the top left section and write the question "1. What do I enjoy doing?" Then continue counterclockwise and fill in the other three areas with the questions "2. What am I good at?", "3. What can I get paid for?", and "4. What does the world need?"

Step 2: Fill the areas with content

Now it's time to answer the questions. Address the areas individually and ideally 3-5 minutes per section Time.

We want to start with the simplest question and then work our way forward:

1. What do I like doing?

The following questions can help you answer this question:

Example answers:

• have deep conversations
• read exciting stories/books
• write/keep a diary
• cook

2.What am I good at?

The following questions can help you answer this question:

Example answers:

• Accounting
• sing
• listening to other people
• Writing stories and essays

3. What can I get paid for?

The following questions can help you answer this question:

Example answers:

• marketing
• Writing blogs
• Accounting
• Singing performances at weddings

4. What does the world need?

This question is the most difficult for most people. Therefore, we want to approach the answer in small steps. Don't ask yourself what "the world" needs, but rather, what “your world” needs: The society in which you live; your immediate environment. The reality in which you currently find yourself.

Example answers:

• People need more fun and less stress
• more together, less against each other
• Impulses && Stories that inspire people and make them think differently

Step 3: Find your Ikigai

Review all sections and add any additional information you may want to add.

Now let’s get to the exciting part: your Ikigai. From the four areas, choose what overlaps or what appears repeatedly. You may need a little creative or think about how different things can be combined. Some specific activities or skills must be abstracted to find an intersection between the areas. For example, "I can paint well and enjoy it," "I have been paid to write song lyrics," and "the people around me need something that makes them happy/allows them to escape from everyday life" can be summarized as "creativity." & Expression”.

In our example, the intersection would be something like "writing meaningful/inspiring stories." – Great, then we're done, right?

Ikigai is a process

Unfortunately, it's often not that simple. Not everyone finds their personal ikigai right away. Some people need days, months, or even years.Some people will find that the contents of the four circles or areas change depending on their life stage or phase. All of this is okay.

The original “promise” that one will inevitably find one’s own meaning in life with the Ikigai diagram is therefore not always fulfilled or adhered to. However, if we don't see this as the goal of the practice, but rather understand it as an opportunity to get to know ourselves better and navigate ourselves in a direction that corresponds to our idea of ​​a fulfilling life, then Ikigai can bring us a lot.

Maybe it will help you if you have simply given more thought to these areas and find Starting points for things you can change in your life. Finding your own ikigai is an ongoing process. Take your time. Keep asking yourself difficult and challenging questions and answer them honestly. Reflect on yourself and your environment regularly. Be open to trying new things and stepping out of your comfort zone – because until you've tried something, you can't know if you'll enjoy it. The "meaning of your life" is often not something that stays the same forever. Dare to think in different directions and test them out.

If you want to learn more about topics like mindfulness & spirituality, sustainability, family and pregnancy or healthy nutrition, Check out some exciting blog articles about it here.

Photo by Tarun Savvy on Unsplash