Ikigai, the Japanese Art of Living: Finding More Joy and Fulfilment in Everyday Life
In the rush of everyday life and the constant striving for the next goal, we often lose touch with the simple yet meaningful joys of life. The Japanese philosophy of ikigai – which roughly means “that which makes life worth living” – offers us a way to consciously make small changes that can enrich our lives in the long run. Ken Mogi describes ikigai as an art of living that leads us to greater fulfilment and contentment by focusing on what gives our existence meaning. But what exactly is ikigai, and how can we bring it into our lives?
Ken Mogi names five central pillars that help us find our personal sense of meaning. In what follows, I’ll give you an insight into the philosophy of ikigai and show how these five pillars can be lived in everyday life.
1. Starting small: discovering the beauty in small steps
The first pillar of ikigai teaches us to start small and to focus on the little things in life. It’s about being humble and patient instead of wanting to achieve everything at once. This philosophy plays a major role in everyday Japanese life: every action, whether pouring a cup of tea or taking a short walk, is seen as valuable and meaningful. Mogi describes how these small steps help us notice the moment and discover the joy in everyday details. In this way we improve our quality of life and come closer to our ikigai – a mindful and simple way of unfolding who we are.
This approach encourages us to see the great in the small and to find beauty in every single step. Life itself becomes a kind of ritual that gives us strength and contentment. With every small step forward, we build on our ikigai and develop a deeper connection to our own existence.
2. Letting go of what doesn’t fulfil you: making room for what matters
Another important pillar of ikigai is letting go of what doesn’t fulfil us. In our fast-paced world, we tend to hold on to negative thoughts, influences or even people who drain our energy. Ken Mogi encourages us to consciously let go of everything that weighs us down or holds us back. Only then can we make room for new and positive experiences. By letting go of the old and the useless, we free ourselves and open our lives to new possibilities and passions. This letting go is an essential step in making space for what truly inspires us.
Letting go is not an easy process, though – it takes courage and determination. We often cling to the familiar out of habit or fear. But giving up things that no longer serve us is like pruning a tree: it creates room for new growth and for what truly enriches our lives.
3. Joy in small things: recognising the beauty of everyday life
The third pillar of ikigai emphasises the importance of small everyday joys. We often overlook them and focus only on the big milestones. But the Japanese philosophy of life shows us how beautiful it is to consciously savour the small moments. Whether it’s watching the cherry blossoms, tasting a cup of tea or receiving a warm smile – happiness often lies in the simplest things. Ken Mogi explains that recognising and appreciating these joys makes us not only more fulfilled but also more mindful. When we anchor the small joys in our lives, we find harmony and inner contentment that carry us even through difficult times.
This philosophy teaches us to see the everyday as a source of happiness and to open ourselves to the beauty of the moment. We come to realise that life isn’t built on spectacular highlights, but on the joy we find in each day. By cultivating this attitude, we create a reservoir of positive experiences that strengthens and inspires us again and again.
4. Being here and now: the art of mindfulness
The fourth and perhaps most central pillar of ikigai is the ability to live in the here and now. In our Western culture, we are often tangled up in thoughts of the past or the future, which distracts us from the present. But real life is happening now. Mogi describes how important it is to be conscious and present. This means fully perceiving each moment and anchoring ourselves in it. The present is the only moment we can actually experience. When we learn to be in the moment, we not only gain inner calm but also find our ikigai – a balance that guides us through life’s challenges.
Being present in the moment allows us to feel life more intensely and make more conscious decisions. We learn to find stability even in difficult times and not to let ourselves be distracted by thoughts of what has passed or what is uncertain. The moment happening here and now becomes the foundation of our inner balance.
5. Living with joy and passion: finding your inner motivation
The fifth pillar of ikigai is devotion to what brings us joy and fulfils us. Ken Mogi encourages us to focus on the things that make our hearts light up and create a deep inner motivation. In Japan there is the concept of “shokunin”, which describes the dedication to a craft or activity in order to keep improving and achieve mastery in what one does. The pursuit of excellence, paired with joy and devotion, leads to a life that is not only meaningful but also fulfils us at the deepest level.
This commitment to what brings us joy makes us active shapers of our own lives. Instead of passively waiting for happiness, we create it ourselves through the passion we pour into our activities.
Conclusion: ikigai as a guide to a fulfilled life
The Japanese art of living, ikigai, shows us that fulfilment doesn’t depend on external circumstances, but on the way we shape our lives. By following the five pillars of ikigai – starting small, letting go of what doesn’t fulfil us, savouring the small joys, being in the here and now, and living with passion – we can move step by step towards a more harmonious and joyful life.
Ikigai invites us to ask ourselves: what gives my life meaning? The answer can help us find stability and inspiration even in difficult times. It is a philosophy of life that encourages us to see each day as an opportunity to rediscover the joy of living and, through simple everyday actions, to grow into a more fulfilled self.
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