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    Ikigai

    Let me tell you about a concept that can make you happier and more creative.

    Part of being happy means doing something that’s important to you.

    Sometimes this thing might not be important to anyone else BUT you.

    There's a Japanese term called Ikigai which means:

    "Something that gives a person a sense of purpose, a reason for living."

    • This can mean taking care of a pet.

    • This can mean daily watering of a plant.

    • It can mean a daily walk around your neighborhood.

    In fact you probably already naturally do some form of Ikigai!

    For me I enjoy a small daily ritual of cleaning a patch of black crushed rock in my yard, and there’s a lovely tree above it that sheds leaves and small branches over the rock:

    black-rock-yard-1024x717.png

    Everyday I like to get outside and pickup the leaves by hand. If there’s a lot of debris I’ll sometimes use an electric blower to clear it out.

    Most days I take a few seconds or a few minutes to keep this little patch nice and tidy. This is not an important task, and almost no one will notice, except me.

    Through my little form of Ikigai, I get to start off my day improving something.

    It forces me to get outside and get some fresh air and sunshine.

    It takes me out of my normal workday and let’s me think.

    Since my mind is relaxed while doing this simple task, I often think of new creative ideas during this time.

    This is the beauty of an Ikigai.

    Sometimes just emptying your mind of big pressing issues, and focusing on a small simple task, can make you more relaxed and creative.

     

    Here's some Ikigai examples and ideas:

    ikigai-taking-care-of-plant.png

    • Taking care of a plant.
    • Making a fancy tea or coffee in the morning.
    • Walking the dog.
    • Making meals for loved ones.
    • Raking leaves.
    • Doing a meditation.
    • Working out and general exercise.
    • Doing prayers.
    • A bike ride.
    • A walk, job, or run.

     

    So what’s your Ikigai? Do you already have something like this you do?

    It’s ok if your Ikigai is non-important or silly.

    Remember, this ritual can be something totally JUST FOR YOU.

    It doesn’t necessarily have to help anyone or anything. It’s something that’s purely important or enjoyable for you.

     

    I sincerely hope you learned something from this video.

    neville-signature-sincerely-pen.png

     

    P.S. Leave a comment below with your Ikigai.

    Or read the comments to see what others do, and get some ideas for yourself.


    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments



    Guest Katz Yair

    Posted

    i like sketching in my tiny sketchbook. i pick a random image online that i like and do a quick pen/pencil sketch of it.
    Link to comment
    Guest Adeyinka Taiwo

    Posted

    I like rearranging the house, thereby doing some cleaning.
    Link to comment
    Guest Rick Yvanovich

    Posted

    Great video that captures some of the real meaning of ikigai . My ikigai is to learn something new every day and that first sip of morning coffee. If I am able to do both of those whilst sitting outside in peace and quiet in nature, then that's a few more Ikigai's.
    Link to comment
    Guest Rob Roseman

    Posted

    Just dropped off the kids for their first day of school. Going to celebrate with a (quiet) Ikigai walk in the park. 🌳
    Link to comment
    Guest Jordan

    Posted

    My morning jaunt around the garden as the sun comes up. Just connecting, appreciating, and tasting my way through each bed, trying to anchor those thoughts and feelings as my center for the day.
    Link to comment
    Guest Neville Medhora

    Posted

    This sounds awesome Jordan!

     

    I've yet to get into real gardening at my place, but it sounds fun for all the reasons you listed :)

    Link to comment
    Guest Neville Medhora

    Posted

    That sounds AWESOME! Something about the simple act of walking is so amazing for mind and body.
    Link to comment
    Guest Neville Medhora

    Posted

    That's awesome Rick! "Learn one new thing" is a great one, even if a small lesson.....and coffee is just awesome 😎
    Link to comment
    Guest Neville Medhora

    Posted

    Good one Adeyinka! There's something so satisfying about organizing:

    - Keeps your mind active.

    - You're improving something.

    - You go from chaos → order.

    Link to comment
    Guest Neville Medhora

    Posted

    Ohhhh nice! There's a whole movement on Twitter called #SketchInPublic that does this!
    Link to comment
    Guest Beatrice Briody

    Posted

    Finally nice to meet who keeps emailing me 😂 my Ikigai is my doggies and patio love them to bits and each day they give me much purpose to live thank you so much for showing it’s meaning ♥️
    Link to comment
    Guest Sean Payne

    Posted

    I have recently begun exercising in the morning each day. It's often a walk for about an hour, and I don't usually listen to anything while I'm walking. I think it has helped me become more calm and self aware.
    Link to comment
    Guest Neville Medhora

    Posted

    That's awesome Sean! I started ditching my phone when working out, and it makes me workout harder since there's no distractions. Keep it up Sean :)
    Link to comment
    Guest Neville Medhora

    Posted

    Ohhh hanging with dogs on a patio just always sounds fun :)
    Link to comment
    Great video Nev. For me it's my morning work out routine, or listening to some great tunes on the way into work :)
    Link to comment
    Guest Plastelina

    Posted

    Mine is def my morning workout.... I'm able to get into my flow state, brain dump, and oddly enough relax will being physically active.
    Link to comment
    Guest Neville Medhora

    Posted

    That's definitely a common theme I'm seeing here. Turns out making your body move in the morning is important 😬
    Link to comment
    Guest Teresa Wilson

    Posted

    I have a patio that is 5' above a pond. There are five red-eared slider turtles in it along with hundreds of fish. I stop each morning at around 10:00 AM to feed them. Through trial and error, I've found that they all eat inexpensive dog or cat kibble and the turtles need Milk-Bone mini dog biscuits. (The fish are so fast, they can eat the kibble before the slower turtles get two bites. But, fish mouths are too small for the Milk-Bone biscuits. It's a peaceful, out of body refresher after which I'm ready to go back to work.

     

    This has been a very interesting topic.

    Link to comment
    Guest Tony Tovar

    Posted

    One of mine is taking care of my Bonsai tree. It’s been 5 years and no one cares about it or me taking care of it. It dies if I don’t take care of it, taking care of it is therapeutic almost. Very relaxing.
    Link to comment
    Guest Neville Medhora

    Posted

    Oh man you went full Japanese with this one! Bonsai seems like (super chill) fun :)
    Link to comment
    Guest Neville Medhora

    Posted

    Oh wow this is such a cool Ikigai! Made me LOL as your discovery of the Milk-Bone biscuits being too large for the fish so the slower turtles can get at them 😂
    Link to comment
    Guest Ivan Muench

    Posted

    I do an hour lunch time walk every day and run through a meditation exercise in my mind. I have also befriended a couple of the neighbourhood magpies (Aussie native birds) and give them a bit of fruit or mince whenever they come to my front door, it feels like a compliment when they visit, I'd say that qualifies as an ikigai.
    Link to comment



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