Ikigai Exposed— Ordinary Wisdom or Japanese Secret?
The term Ikigai — a quirky Japanese word — promises to unlock the secrets to a transformed life. Is there any magic in this concept, or is it just a fancy term for some everyday advice? Let’s dive in and find out.
The Short Version of Ikigai
Here’s the quick rundown:
- Eat well.
- Discover your passion.
- Make friends.
- Give and receive help.
- Exercise regularly.
Does this seem like a revelation from another galaxy? Not to me. The book feels like it’s hiding behind a mysterious Japanese term to sell some pretty basic ideas. But let’s dig deeper and you can decide for yourself.
Discover Your Purpose
Ikigai suggests you embark on a quest to find your reason for being. This involves a bit of trial and error to uncover what aligns with your skills, passions, and profession.
Essentially, it’s the same advice you’ve read in every existential book: explore, connect with others, do what you love. It’s like every motivational speaker’s greatest hits, but with a Japanese twist.
Find Your Flow
The book also talks about finding something so engrossing that you lose track of time.
It’s like that feeling you get when you’re binge-watching your favorite show or scrolling through cat videos at 3 a.m. While the concept sounds lovely, the book doesn’t exactly hand you a map to this elusive “flow.”
The search for something that makes you lose track of time is as old as humanity itself, and unfortunately, it’s not any easier to find just because it has a fancy name.
Eat Light and Well
The book gives dietary advice that sounds like it’s been lifted straight from Instagram wellness influencers:
- Eat until you’re 80% full. Because apparently, the last 20% of your stomach is reserved for existential crises.
- Stick to a diet rich in protein and fiber. No surprises here; it’s the same advice you’d get from any self-help book that moonlights as a nutrition guide.
Honestly, this section is comparatively the most non-useless part of the book, especially when it provides practical tips on protein-packed foods.
Another tip : Follow Fituber on YouTube for some mind-blowing and surprisingly easy ways to lose weight and eat well.
Spend Time with Friends
The book advises you to make time for friends. Shocking, right? In today’s fast-paced world, socializing has become a weekend luxury. We’ve become so wrapped up in our work that we’ve forgotten that people actually matter more than the latest quarterly report.
Take a break from discussing work metrics at lunch and spend some quality time with your loved ones — because they’re probably not just there for your productivity stats.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise is another cornerstone of ikigai. You can start small by taking the stairs or walking more — if your sedentary lifestyle hasn’t completely dulled your muscles.
In my opinion for those who are a bit more ambitious, active exercises like gym workouts, dancing, or yoga is a better way to go.
For the rest of us, it introduces some traditional techniques from Indian and Chinese cultures:
- Raido Taiso — Japanese
- Surya Namaskar — Indian
- Tai Chi — There are various styles of doing it. Find the one which best suits you. Its a Chinese Practice
- Qigong — Chinese
I personally prefer high-intensity workouts like boxing, sprinting, swimming and recently picked up Katana Practice(In case demons starts showing up). Just remember: any exercise is better than none. Check out my pre and post exercise body.
Exercise doesn’t just make you look good; it boosts your confidence and self-esteem. And, yes for men, you do get more attention from the women(substantially more). Who knew that a good workout could double as a charm offensive?
Rethink Retirement
The book advises against the traditional concept of retirement. Instead, it suggests pursuing something you’re passionate about until the very end. They use examples of Japanese novelist, manga writers and animators who keep working until their last breath.
This might work for the people of Okinawa, living in a closed net society, whose their job description involves things like farming, catching fish, building houses and pressing elevator buttons but for the rest of us — who face the joys of high-stress jobs and urban burnout — this advice might be a bit optimistic.
For those of us in high-pressure careers, like software engineers, who struggle to find time for a cup of chai, the idea of working until you’re 70 might be a bit of a stretch. But hey, if you can find something you love, great! If not, well, there’s always the option of starting a hobby — like knitting or competitive bird-watching.
Group of friends doing competitive bird watching
Sure, the authors suggest that you should find a job that puts you in a state of flow — something so thrilling that you lose track of time and forget the world exists. Sounds like a dream, right? But let’s be honest: if I were to run a poll asking how many of you are genuinely, joyfully absorbed in your work to the point where time flies by unnoticed, I’d be shocked if more than 5% of you raised your hands.
So, keep searching for that mythical dream job that makes you feel like you’re living in a Disney movie. In the meantime, just remember: even if you’re stuck counting the minutes until Friday, at least you’re on the quest for something that excites you. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll find it — right after you’ve mastered the art of not daydreaming about vacation.
Embrace Relaxation
And about taking it easy and relaxing — here’s the gist: don’t stress about doing everything at lightning speed or having all the answers right now.
Prioritize getting a decent night’s sleep, eating something other than takeout, and moving your body in ways that don’t involve just rolling over in bed. Approach life with a Zen-like calm and take some time to reflect on what you really want, without getting sidetracked by the latest viral TikTok challenge or your neighbor’s Instagram-perfect vacation.
When was the last time you actually took a moment to think about what you want, without letting the noise of social media or the pressure of your boss’s endless emails interfere?
If you’re drawing a blank, it might be time to sit down, take a deep breath, and have a chat with yourself — no distractions allowed.
Personally I’m still working on it. But if you’re there, more power to you.
In summary, it’s packed with good advice but doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel. If you’re fresh to the world of self-help and have read fewer than 10 books, this one might actually be a gem. For the veterans who’ve plowed through countless volumes of inspirational drivel, this book might seem like just another drop in the ocean of “meh.”
someone with a stack of self-help books andreading this book with a skeptical look
If you’ve already waded through its pages, I’d love to hear your thoughts — whether you’re a wide-eyed novice or a jaded guru of self-help.
Have a great and relaxed time, and remember: if all else fails, there’s always a cat video to restore your faith in humanity.
Cheers and have a great day :)
