Ikigai is a concept in Japanese philosophy that translates to “reason for living.” It is an enduring sense of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment that is most often recognized not by the mind, but from within. Ikigai is hidden in the small, joy-bringing details of everyday life. It is a person’s calling or an activity that they enjoy and excel at, one that inspires creative passion and fills them with a calm sense of happiness.
Giedrė says, “For me, ikigai is a quiet presence in the moment. When my hands are making tea and my thoughts finally stop racing.”