Your Ikigai: discover what it is and how to find it

Ikigai is a Japanese expression used to refer to one's “reason for being”, one's “purpose in life”.

It is a profound concept linked to the very motivation for which we decide to get out of bed every day and live our day.

In the Western world, we do not often reflect on this idea of a “sense of existence.” The search for one's vocation, in fact, requires deep introspective analysis that often confronts us with difficult choices.

All of us, however, have an ikigai. Even those who have not yet found it.

For J – Beauty, the purpose in the world is to create beauty products based on natural ingredients through which you are able to take care of yourself, day after day, rediscovering well-being and balance.

What is your ikigai, instead? Find it with us!

What the word Ikigai means

The Japanese word ikigai embodies the meaning of “reason to wake up in the morning”.

The term is composed of “iki” (to live) and “gai” (result, reason). It could, therefore, be translated as “reason to live” or as “purpose of life”.

A literal translation, however, does not truly do justice to a concept as profound as that of ikigai, which represents a true philosophy of life.

In a world that often confines us to a daily routine that does not belong to us, the search for one's ikigai can spur us to set in motion the changes necessary to live a happy and fulfilling life.

To do this, it is necessary to first of all regain contact with oneself and with one's body.

It starts, in fact, from small things and simple gestures to begin perceiving the harmonious bond with the world.

Ikigai is a way of living and J – Beauty wishes to accompany you on this journey starting with a light daily caress that, day after day, turns into a ritual of well-being capable of restoring the harmony of body and mind.

The Ikigai method and its pillars

Ikigai, besides being a philosophy of life, takes the form of an actual method through which it is possible to search for one's life purpose.

According to “The Little Book of Ikigai” by Ken Mogi, a Japanese neuroscientist, there are five pillars on which ikigai is based and which one must reflect upon to understand and integrate it into daily life.

Here they are:

In a few words and with simplicity, we could translate them as follows:

How can you find your Ikigai?

In 2014, Marc Winn theorized a diagram according to which ikigai is what is found at the intersection point between the four most important aspects of every person's life:

Your ikigai would be at the point where, in practice, your passion, mission, profession, and vocation intersect.

It is a very useful method that provides the opportunity to begin thinking about the path to take to find one's happiness. It is good to remember, however, that this diagram is not part of Japanese philosophy.

The method in question does not provide a precise answer to the meaning of life, but it is an excellent basis to begin questioning and digging deep within oneself so as to be able to approach one's reason for being.

The importance of taking care of yourself

“The biggest secret of the Ikigai is to accept yourself, whatever the unique traits with which we come into the world.

There is no single optimal or perfect path to the Ikigai: each of us must find our own path in the forest of unique and unrepeatable individuality.

But, along the way, don't forget to allow yourself a healthy laugh every day.”

– Ken Mogi.

Finding your ikigai will certainly be a long journey that will probably put you to the test.

Do not forget to start with the small things that make you feel good. Start with yourself.

In Japanese culture, dedicating yourself to the health of your skin, for example, means taking care of yourself.

We at J – Beauty know this well and we want to offer you natural and simple products.

Allow yourself the time necessary to cleanse, moisturize, and massage your face with kindness. Enjoy the rhythm of a moment all your own that turns into a true ritual of well-being.