I can’t remember the number of times I’ve had to bow to this realisation that the one constant in life is – change and that life happens when one is busy making plans. Though this change is not always a welcomed experience it cannot be denied that with life transitions come new beginnings and an opportunity to find purpose in whatever transition one finds themselves in.
Change is an inevitable part of life. Like the pages of a book turning to reveal the next chapter, life transitions usher in new phases that often test our resolve and sense of identity. When these moments come, it’s not just about adjusting to change; it’s about finding a new purpose that gives our lives direction and meaning. Being able to find meaning in life transitions then becomes an anchor that keeps us grounded through the uncertainty.
I remember how I almost lost my sense of self an self-worth when I completed my masters degree and was in the transition between graduation and find a job. Years passed with no job or even interviews and with every rejection, grew my self-doubt. I couldnt see the point in anything and whenever I was asked what was going on in my life, I felt bitter because my whole sense of self was tied to providing value by being employed.
It wasnt until I found my passion for baking in this period that I began to feel I was good enough for something. When I immersed myself in my baking sessions and produced wonderful treats that got rave reviews I felt on top of the world in that instant. It felt as if I mattered and I was adding value to people’s lives because I was making them happy with the baked goods I made. The joy I brought to people gave me a sense of purpose and became the compass steering my journey through that uncertain period.
Whether it’s a career shift, the loss of a loved one, or embarking on retirement, these transitions challenge the idea of who we are and what we are meant to do. In these times, the pursuit of meaning in life can seem daunting, yet it is this pursuit that can transform a period of change into a new beginning graced with possibilities and enriched with purpose.
Sometimes trying to find the meaning in a situation can be very challenging and not very straightforward. Like my example above, I resisted the fact that baking was my happy place for the longest time because I’d spent five long years getting university degrees that NEEDED to earn me a corporate job. Yet, this venture was what made my soul sing and what people were willing to pay me for, a phenomenon well-known in East Asia.
Enter Ikigai, a Japanese concept that translates roughly to ‘reason for being.’ At its heart, Ikigai is about finding joy and contentment in life through a deep sense of purpose. It’s a tool that can help us navigate through new chapters by aligning our actions with what we love, what we’re good at, what the world needs, and what we can be rewarded for.
As I direct your attention to the intersection of these dimensions, think about how each area contributes to your purpose. The busy streets of Tokyo may seem a world away, but just as the locals find their Ikigai, so too can we, regardless of where we are in our life’s journey. The insights available from where all three circles meet further explain how Ikigai plays a pivotal role in understanding and embracing life’s transitions.
It is my belief that at every stage in life when we find ourselves in a life transition we are meant to find a deeper or different meaning to life. I know a lot of people believe in finding their one single purpose but what if we don’t have just one purpose in life but rather are meant to find purpose in these different transitions?
Understanding Ikigai and Discovering the Secret to a Purposeful Life
Have you ever wondered what keeps certain people vibrant and fulfilled throughout their lives, even as they navigate through the various phases of change? I’ve been there – seeking the compass that can point to a meaningful existence that’s where Ikigai provides guidance.
At first glance, Ikigai might just seem like another wellness cliché but there’s depth to this term that resonates with anyone looking for direction. Ikigai is about finding joy in life through purpose. It’s the convergence point of what you love (your passion), what the world needs (your mission), what you can be paid for (your vocation), and what you’re good at (your profession).
These four dimensions form the basis of Ikigai and guide individuals in aligning their lives with interior satisfaction and societal contribution. By exploring each aspect, you begin to see how your professional life, personal passions, societal role, and skills can merge to create a rich, purpose-driven life.
If you’re maybe thinking but I do not have any passions or can’t offer anything to the world that I can get paid for my response is yes you do. These might not be that obvious now but with a little digging you can find these.
Try answering questions like -:
To what do you love?
What are you good at?
What can you get paid for?
What does the world need?
Answering these can help you gain clarity on what is worth investing time and effort in and also provide a guide to finding meaning in life.
Putting it to Practice – Navigating Uncertainty with Ikigai
Know that we will all face change at one point in our lives, we can also be restassured that these will bring uncertainties in all forms. If you are reading this then you might have experienced one of these before, a sudden job loss, an unexpected move, or a personal loss. These are the life transitions where the search for meaning intensifies. It’s precisely here that Ikigai is beneficial in helping you to live with conviction and a renewed sense of purpose.
I’ve lived it and seen first-hand how people apply Ikigai as a map to navigate through their career changes, retirements, or even when embarking on new educational endeavours. The beauty of Ikigai lies in its ability to translate your passions and skills into something that the world needs and is willing to pay for. Thus, it doesn’t just help you cope with change; it encourages you to thrive in the midst of it.
Moreover, integrating the principles of Ikigai isn’t merely a solo journey, it often involves the community, finding harmony in social connections, and contributing positively to those around you. This sense of community can be a powerful ally during transitional phases of life. Without knowing exactly what was happening my interaction with the people around me during my unemployment transition was what gave me hope, satisfaction and a deep sense of self.
It is not always apparent when you are in the midst of such a transition but if we are able to look past the discomfort and chaos, to being open to receive and learn we will discover that in the uncertainty lies opportunities to find meaning and purpose, something bigger than one’s own comfort.
On the back of Ikigai as our navigator, let’s now take a look at a couple of Ikigai practices. These tools are practical aids in your journey to uncovering and affirming your life’s direction.
Tools for Transformation: Practical use of Ikigai
Adapting to life transitions often requires deep introspection to align your daily activities with what truly brings joy and fulfillment. Here, Ikigai questionnaires come in as practical tools, offering the guidance you might need.
These scientifically-backed assessments can be pivotal in clarifying your life direction. By probing depths of your passions, talents, values, and the needs of the world around you, they help in sketching out the contours of your unique Ikigai.
Here are a few questions under each aspect to kick start the journey
To what do you love?
- What can you lose yourself in when engaged with?
- What were you doing when you last lost track of time?
- In the past, what has left you feeling energized?
What are you good at?
- What skills do you spend time practicing?
- What do people approach you for help with?
- What do people normally ask for my help on?
- What comes so easily to me that others turn to me to help with?
What can you get paid for?
- What would you be doing if you were not in your current job?
- What do people need? Do you think they would be happy to pay for it?
What does the world need?
- How can you help those around you?
- What are some changes you’d like to bring about in your community?
- What can you do that would bring meaning to others?
These are not exhaustive but just a step to help get clarity on these aspects of the ikigai concept.
Drawing from personal experiences and testimonies from my clients, it’s evident that these questions act as catalysts for many in pinpointing their purpose during life’s various stages. They serve as a mirror, reflecting aspects of oneself that may otherwise remain obscure or unacknowledged.
As you delve into these questions and embrace the insights they produce, you begin to construct a roadmap. This roadmap will not only help navigate current transitions but also lay foundations for future transformations, always keeping purpose at the core.
Now, transitioning to living your Ikigai is where the fruits of this self-exploration really begin to manifest. It’s about taking the abstract and making it concrete, about ensuring your pursuit of meaning translates into daily actions and choices.
Cultivating Resilience and Joy: Living Your Ikigai
In the above sections, we’ve explored the importance of Ikigai and how it can illuminate the path through life’s transitions. Now, I want to emphasize that living your Ikigai is a continuous journey as I previously stated – finding meaning and purpose will occcur in the different transitions we experience. Every day offers a new chance to align your life with the elements that bring you joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose.
Being resilient is one of life’s greatest super powers as it isn’t just about bouncing back, but about growing and finding ways to thrive, even during challenging times. When your actions reflect your Ikigai, you naturally become more resilient. You’re not simply surviving the storm but you’re learning how to ride the wave.
And what about joy? How can we cultivate this when everything around us is falling apart or not as it’s supposed to be? Joy isnt the state of constant happiness, no it’s the deep, sustained contentment that arises from knowing you’re on the right path, even when that path takes unexpected turns. By living true to your Ikigai, you invite this joy into your life, because you’re doing what you love, what you’re good at, and what the world needs, all while supporting yourself.
When I found baking to be my passion during my unemployment phase, I realised that eveytime I got an order to bake something I felt joy, for that moment I was immersed in the baking. I was doing what I’d grown to love, I was very good at it and people paid me to do this. In that moment I was living my ikigai and that feeling is one I can’t really describe as being happy but rather as being content and valuable in my situation.
Wrapping Up
Transitions in life are unpreventable and as much as change is scary it’s the only way we can grow and develop. Throughout this article, we’ve explored how we can use the principles of ikigai to find meaning and prupose in the transitions we experience. As you read this, I would like to encourage you to think of the concept of Ikigai in wahtever transition you find yorself in at the moment. Use this as a guide to keep rediscovering yourself and embrace the ongoing process of self-reflection and adjustment because change will happen as long as we live, and as your life unfolds, your Ikigai will too. The beauty of this journey is not just in the destination, but in the growth that you experience along the way.
So, as you face new beginnings and navigate life transitions, do so with an Ikigai-centered mindset. Let these principles be the roadmap to finding meaning and purpose in life’s unpredictable transitions.
I hope this article has helped shed light on finding meaning and purpose in life transitions. If you have any comments or questions kindly share those in the comments and I’d be happy to help.
Love & Light
Sheila Daisy
