James Carter
There’s a profound difference between simply growing older and aging with purpose. It’s a distinction I learned from the Japanese concept of ikigai.
Ikigai, in essence, is about discovering your reason for being — your true purpose in life that brings you joy and fulfillment.
It’s not about chasing youth for the sake of vanity, but rather embracing the idea that purpose can keep us young at heart, regardless of our biological age.
With ikigai at my side, I’ve come to understand that staying youthful isn’t a physical pursuit—it’s a mental one.
This article will explore how this Japanese philosophy has revolutionized my outlook on aging and purpose.
1) Discovering your purpose
Ikigai isn’t just a concept—it’s a way of life.
While most people might associate youth with physical attributes or activities, I’ve learned that the real fountain of youth lies in finding your purpose.
This philosophy is all about exploring what you love, what the world needs, what you can be paid for, and what you’re good at.
It’s about finding the intersection of these four elements and letting them guide your life.
When you live according to your ikigai, you’re not just passing time—you’re actively involved in shaping your life’s path.
It’s not about trying to stop or slow the aging process; it’s about embracing each stage of life with enthusiasm and vigor.
By doing this, we’re able to keep our minds sharp and our spirits high—hallmarks of true youthfulness.
But remember, finding your ikigai isn’t a one-time event—it’s a continuous journey of self-discovery and growth.
It’s about living each day with purpose and passion. And that, I believe, is the real secret to staying young.
2) My personal journey towards Ikigai
My own experience with Ikigai has been transformative.
For years, I was stuck in a high-stress job that paid well but left me feeling drained and unfulfilled. On paper, I was successful, but inside, I was aging rapidly.
I felt like a hamster on a wheel, always running but going nowhere.
Then I discovered Ikigai.
I started exploring what really mattered to me – what I loved doing, what I was good at, what the world needed, and what could earn me a living.
It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but gradually, I began to see a shift in my life.
I quit my job and pursued a career in writing—a passion I’d pushed aside for years. It was risky, and there were times when I doubted my decision.
But whenever uncertainty crept in, I reminded myself of my Ikigai.
Today, I feel younger than ever—not because I’ve found the secret to eternal youth, but because I wake up every morning with a sense of purpose.
My work is meaningful to me and brings value to others—an essential aspect of Ikigai.
This journey has taught me that staying young isn’t about avoiding wrinkles or maintaining a certain physical appearance—it’s about living with purpose and passion.
And that’s something we can all pursue at any age.
3) The longevity secret of Okinawa
Okinawa, a group of islands in Japan, is known as a “Blue Zone”—a region where people live significantly longer than the global average.
Okinawans not only live longer but also have lower rates of diseases like heart disease and cancer.
What’s their secret?
You might guess it’s their diet or physical activity, and while those factors are indeed important, there’s another crucial element that contributes to their longevity—Ikigai.
In Okinawa, Ikigai is deeply ingrained in the culture.
People don’t retire in the traditional sense. Instead, they continue to engage in activities that bring them joy and purpose well into their old age.
Whether it’s gardening, practicing martial arts, or spending time with family, these activities keep them mentally engaged and physically active.
The Okinawans are a testament to the idea that having a clear sense of purpose can contribute to a long and healthy life.
Their lifestyle embodies the essence of Ikigai—living with purpose to stay young in mind and body.
4) The balance of passion and profession
One crucial aspect of Ikigai that I’ve come to appreciate is the balance it promotes between passion and profession.
In our pursuit of youth, we often juggle between what we love and what earns us a living. Sometimes these are aligned, but often they aren’t.
Ikigai teaches us that it’s possible to find a middle ground – to do something we genuinely love and are good at, that the world needs, and that can also sustain us.
This balance is the key to maintaining a youthful spirit. When we’re engaged in something we love, we radiate positivity.
When our work contributes to society, we feel fulfilled. And when our passion can also pay the bills, we feel secure.
Achieving this balance might not be easy. It may require stepping out of comfort zones and taking risks.
But once found, it can make every day feel like an adventure and keep us feeling young at heart.
5) Embracing change and uncertainty
While embarking on my Ikigai journey, I learned a valuable lesson about the nature of change and uncertainty.
When I left my high-stress job to pursue writing, I was stepping into uncharted territory. There were days filled with self-doubt, questioning if I’d made a colossal mistake.
The uncertainty felt overwhelming, making me feel old beyond my years.
But then I began to see things differently. I realized that uncertainty wasn’t something to fear, but something to embrace.
It was a sign that I was growing, evolving, and breaking free from stagnation.
With this shift in perspective, I began to approach challenges with curiosity rather than fear.
Each obstacle became an opportunity to learn something new and gain wisdom—a trait often associated with age but equally essential for maintaining a youthful mind.
The path towards Ikigai isn’t always easy, but it’s one that has helped me embrace the ebbs and flows of life with grace while keeping my spirit youthful and vibrant.
6) Nurturing relationships
Another valuable lesson from Ikigai is the importance of nurturing relationships. In Japanese culture, a strong sense of community and connection is integral to a fulfilling life.
We often overlook the impact of our social connections on our sense of youthfulness.
But having a supportive network of family and friends can significantly contribute to our overall well-being.
These relationships provide us with a sense of belonging and purpose.
They bring joy, offer support during tough times, and provide opportunities for us to contribute to others’ happiness—essential elements of Ikigai.
Whether it’s spending quality time with loved ones, strengthening old friendships, or forming new ones, nurturing these relationships is a vital part of living according to Ikigai.
It helps keep our hearts youthful and our spirits high.
7) The journey is the destination
If there’s one thing I want you to take away from my experience with Ikigai, it’s this: The journey is the destination.
Finding your Ikigai isn’t about reaching a final point or achieving a specific goal.
It’s about the ongoing process of self-discovery and growth. It’s about continually seeking and finding joy, purpose, and fulfillment in your daily life.
The beauty of Ikigai lies not in the end result but in the journey itself.
It’s about embracing each day as a fresh opportunity to live according to your purpose, to grow, to learn, and to contribute to the world around you.
This ongoing journey, filled with purpose and passion, is what truly keeps us young at heart.
It transforms aging from a daunting prospect into a beautiful, meaningful progression of life.
Final reflection: It’s about purpose
As Jim Stovall once said, “A man who loves his work never labors.”
This philosophy, deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, reflects the importance of finding purpose in what we do each day.
Ikigai isn’t about achieving grandeur or acquiring material wealth.
It’s about finding joy and fulfillment in our everyday activities, contributing to the world in our unique way, and living with a sense of purpose.
Whether it’s through our profession, passion, vocation, or mission, our Ikigai keeps us mentally engaged and physically active.
It fuels our desire to learn and grow, to face challenges with grace and curiosity, and to embrace each stage of life with optimism.
In doing so, Ikigai teaches us that staying young isn’t about age—it’s about purpose.
It’s about living each day with intention, enthusiasm, and curiosity—traits commonly associated with youth but equally crucial at every stage of life.
As you reflect on your own journey towards discovering your Ikigai, remember this: Youth is not a matter of years; it’s a state of mind.
It’s about living with purpose, embracing change, nurturing relationships, and enjoying the journey. That’s the enduring wisdom of Ikigai.
