Last week, on Nuggets, I wrote about a little book, IKIGAI, The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. Ikigai is a Japanese concept that translates to reason for being or purpose in life. We all hit bumps in the road. Some bumps are minor, but some are not. When a big hardship comes your way, like the death of a loved one, a serious medical condition, a relationship fracture, a natural disaster, Ikigai offers a holistic framework to navigate challenging times.
“It’s a very difficult thing to have a human incarnation. This is not an easy ride. Even a good life is a hard life.” — Elizabeth Gilbert (#1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Magic and Eat, Pray, Love .)
Here are four things to focus on when a ‘trauma-like’ event comes your way:
- What you love (Passion): Finding something you still love can be an anchor during hardship. Examples include hobbies, activities, or relationships that bring joy and peace, even amidst struggles. For me, this translates into making space every day to exercise and ensuring I have a safe place to talk through the challenge. Sometimes, this might need to be a professional therapist. I’ve been fortunate to find some brilliant counselling when it was needed.
- What you are good at (Vocation): Tapping into your strengths and skills can provide a sense of competence and agency in times of hardship. Leveraging what you’re naturally good at or developing new abilities helps you regain control over life. When times are tough, I dig deep into my skills and stretch out of my comfort zone to the degree possible.
- What the world needs (Mission): Often, hardship can feel isolating, but finding ways to contribute to the world—whether through kindness, community service, or even small daily actions—can foster a sense of purpose. This one is always interesting. It just seems if you help others, others will help you.
- What you can be paid for (Profession): While financial concerns might be heightened during hardships, focusing on practical ways to earn a living can instil resilience. This dimension reflects the importance of finding sustainable opportunities even in adversity.
How Ikigai Relates to Hardship:
- Resilience and Hope: When life is tough, Ikigai reminds people that there is still a purpose to fulfil, motivating people to persist. It shifts the focus from suffering to meaning.
- Growth through Pain: Hardship often fosters growth, and Ikigai encourages reflection on how adversity can help one grow in one’s passion, mission, or skillset. There’s no doubt that some of my most significant personal growth has come as a result of hardships.
- Balance: Ikigai promotes balance, which can be crucial in hardship, helping individuals not get overwhelmed by focusing only on what’s negative but instead on areas where they still have control or joy.
- Community: In many interpretations of Ikigai, what the world needs often involves helping others. This dimension encourages connection, providing emotional support and a sense of belonging during hardship.
When you are in the middle of the storm, none of this is easy. Sometimes it takes all you’ve got just to put one foot in front of the other. But Ikigai can be a tool for reframing hardship by connecting struggles to a more profound sense of meaning and purpose. It can remind you that even in dark times, there are aspects of life that bring light and purpose.
[Featured image from Lincoln Cathedral and a recent visit to Lincoln, a cathedral city in Lincolnshire, England.]
“Consecrated in the 11th century, Lincoln Cathedral has welcomed people through its doors for almost a thousand years. It is one of the great Cathedrals of the world, attracting visitors of all ages and nationalities.”
Stay whole.
