Ikigai Explained! · The Comfort Zone

Ikigai Explained!

Welcome 🌿 A quick note about Ikigai (because I mention it a lot)

You’ll hear me talk about finding your Ikigai in this community — and if that word is new to you, you’re not behind. You’re just (probably) not Japanese 😉

Ikigai (pronounced icky-guy!) is a Japanese concept that roughly means: “a reason to get up in the morning.”

Not a job title.Not a hustle.Not a dramatic life overhaul.

At its heart, Ikigai sits at the intersection of four simple things:

• What you love

• What you’re good at

• What the world needs

• What can support you (financially or practically)

When those overlap — even imperfectly — people tend to feel:

• more grounded

• more motivated

• more resilient

• and - importantly - more themselves

Here’s why it matters so much at this stage of life:

As we get older, purpose becomes a health strategy, not a luxury.

Research consistently shows that people with a sense of meaning and direction tend to:

• cope better with stress

• maintain cognitive health for longer

• experience better emotional wellbeing

• and, yes, often live longer

But Ikigai isn’t about chasing something new.

It’s usually about reconnecting with what’s already there — your experience, your values, your natural strengths — and arranging life so they’re no longer sidelined.

In this community, when we talk about Ikigai, we’re really talking about:

• designing work and life that fit your energy now

• using your lived experience as an asset, not baggage

• building something sustainable - not exhausting

• and creating a future that feels meaningful and realistic

I'll probably most often refer to it as having a purpose or life purpose.

You don’t need to have it “figured out” to be here.

Curiosity is enough.

If you ever feel stuck, restless, or quietly thinking “there must be more than this” — you’re in exactly the right place.

Take a breath.

Have a look around, especially in the Classroom tab!

And start where you are.