Content writing for DiscoverHer Campaign

IKIGAI: THE SPARKLE IN YOUR EYES

One of the amazing things about the concept of living is how the reason for the contentment of our hearts varies, it could be similar but the nuance is present. Let's reflect, there are times you do things that make you so rich in your soul, and if that moment is captured in a picture, you observe how happy you look with sparkles in your eyes. In that moment of reminiscing, you feel like you could do that forever like you were meant to be there like purpose.

Ikigai is a Japanese term that blends two words; “iki” and “gai” meaning “to live” and “reason” respectively. Ikigai refers to a passion that gives value and joy to life, it represents the idea of finding purpose and fulfillment in life. Simply put, it is the zest of life, the reason for the fire in your veins. Using the words of Victor Frankl “What man needs is a tensionless state within the striving and struggling for some goals worth of him”. Realizing what gives you purpose from a young age gives you hindsight on how you want your life and should not go.

As you try to understand your journey of self-discovery, figure out the balance between what you love and what you ought to do. The knowledge of ikigai makes it so much easier, it compels you to pursue purpose with unwavering determination, whether it means leaving your comfort zone, honing your skills through continuous learning, putting extra effort to make a meaningful contribution, and sometimes trying out new things.

Ikigai comprises four parts: What you love, What you are good at, What the world needs, and what you could be paid for. These elements intersect in the Venn diagram used to draw what could be your ikigai. It might look overwhelming at the initial trial of brainstorming especially at this juvenile stage. This text is here to help you out.

Diving into what you love, rather called passion could vary from an easy feat to a loophole depending on the individual. This is where self-reflection comes in, dig deep to find your passions and curiosities. Try new things out, and find answers to your whys. There’s a vast number of things to try out, this is where you delight in your youth and dare to do what sets you ablaze.

Discovering what you're good at, and your prowess in some field should be another part of finding your reason. You can focus on your main skills, talents, and innate gifts. It also includes recognizing and nurturing them. This could be done by self-assessment, seeking feedback from others, and embracing challenges. Developing these strengths is essential for building confidence, and helps you gain insight on what you can contribute to a specific area in life.

Here, we shift our focus from passion skills to the line of thought and sight on what the world needs. We all have different ideas of what the world is lacking, and the main point of brainstorming the world's weaknesses leads us a step closer to taking the initiative to help society.

Balancing passion with practicality, rather what can we be paid for? In today's world, we’ve associated financial freedom with true happiness, and many lose sight of invaluable sources of fulfillment that can't be weighed with money. In figuring this out, you should be interested in how you align your interest with potential stability, finding balance is crucial for long-term fulfillment.

Once you're done with general self-assessment in these areas, you will have a sense of purpose– Ikigai, the sweet spot where these four elements in the Venn diagram overlap.

Finally, in this race of life where your line of sight is refracted from the key things needed for our growth, let's be more aware of our moments and avoid being wrapped up in a daydream. Acknowledge people in your life who are your support system. Though your purpose reflects personal desires, the people you love can influence it too. Do not suck the spark out of you with monotonous routines, do what makes you feel alive, and add youthful fun to simple patterns of life.

Life is not a straight path, there are turns and loops that you'll go through, so exploit your inner compass deeply. Remind yourself fiercely of your purpose and pursue it with every ounce of your being, it is the most important part of living. Let the spark in your eyes light up and unravel beautifully.