Ikigai is a beautiful Japanese concept that means having meaning and purpose in your daily life leading to a sense of fulfilment and life satisfaction. In the Western world, Ikigai is often misconceived as a Venn diagram, a mere intersection of what you are good at, what you enjoy, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. However, it’s more profound than that. Ikigai is about finding meaning and purpose in your daily life, leading to a deep sense of fulfilment and satisfaction. Whilst this diagram is a useful tool to help someone in a commercial environment think about their next steps, it is not Ikigai.
Research has shown that high Ikigai feelings are linked to positive well-being, higher self-esteem, and lower levels of depression. Even in the midst of winter’s cold embrace, discovering your Ikigai can significantly impact your physical and mental health.
Personally, I find my Ikigai in the simple pleasure of a walk along the beach. Even when bundled up against the cold, that sense of fulfilment and achievement fills me with energy and joy. Each day, I return home with a renewed energy, and in winter – a greater sense of achievement than a walk on a warm Summer’s Day.
Applying the principles of Ikigai involves aligning your activities and mindset. We each have multiple roles in our life – perhaps you are a parent of young children or a manager of people working from home. Each of these different roles can provide an individual level of purpose and fulfilment even in the midst of cold weather and shorter days.
Here are some ways you can apply the principles of Ikigai during the winter season:
- Winter Hobbies: Explore winter-specific hobbies that align with your passions. It could be anything from skiing to indoor activities like painting, writing, or cooking. Maybe embrace the concept of ‘cocooning,’ where you indulge in activities at home that bring you joy, such as reading, crafting, or learning a musical instrument.
- Winter Wellness Programmes: Look out for winter wellness programmes that focus on physical and mental health. Some gyms and organisations offer fitness routines tailored for indoor workouts, along with mindfulness and meditation sessions to combat winter blues. These are also often available online if you don’t want to go out.
- Seasonal Goal Setting: Set yourself specific, achievable goals for the winter season. These goals could be related to personal development, health, or even starting a new project.
- Winter Volunteering: Engage in community service or volunteering activities that are specifically needed during the winter months. For example, assisting local shelters, organising food drives, or participating in initiatives to help the homeless.
- Spreading Warmth: Something as simple as spreading warmth and positivity can be incredibly fulfilling. Create social media content that motivates and uplifts people during the colder months or make a call to someone to see how they are.
- Gratitude Practice: Cultivate a daily gratitude practice, focusing on the small joys of winter. Make a conscious effort to notice the beauty of snowfall, the warmth of a cup of tea, or the joy of spending quality time with loved ones.
- Winter Walks: Despite the cold, try to go for outdoor walks in nature. Winter landscapes can be incredibly serene and beautiful. Bundle up, go for a walk, and experience the peacefulness of winter.
- Indoor Plants: Bring nature indoors by nurturing houseplants. Caring for plants can be a fulfilling and purposeful activity during the winter season.
- Build a Winter Morning Ikigai Routine: When you have found the small pleasures that give you a sense of Ikigai try building them into a morning routine so that your body and mind start to associate the dopamine high you get from these small pleasures with waking up meaning you start the day feeling enjoyment and satisfaction ready to face the day. For Ken Mogi, Japanese neuroscientist, and author of the book Ikigai-Kan his morning Ikigai routine is coffee and chocolate.
By integrating these Ikigai-inspired activities into your winter routine, you can find meaning and fulfilment even during the colder months, aligning your actions with your passions and purpose can lead to meaningful personal growth and real sense of life satisfaction in your daily life.
Remember, finding your Ikigai is a personal journey, and every step you take toward aligning your actions with your passions brings you closer to a life filled with satisfaction and purpose.
Wishing you a season filled with warmth, joy, and the discovery of your own unique Ikigai.
