Feeling Lost in the New Year? You’re Not Alone.
As the third week of January starts to unfold, things can start to feel heavier than the first two. The excitement of New Year’s resolutions begins to fade, leaving many of us questioning if we’ve set ourselves up for success—or simply more stress. For some, this time of year becomes a reminder of unfulfilled dreams, creating feelings of frustration or even stagnation.
If you’re looking for a way to navigate this uncertainty and reconnect with what truly matters, the Japanese concept of ikigai could provide the guidance you need. Translating to “reason for being,” ikigai is more than just a philosophy—it’s a practical framework for uncovering your passions, aligning them with your skills, and building a life of balance and fulfilment.
In 2016, after the birth of my first child, I found myself at a crossroads. I was already an established counsellor and life coach, but becoming a mother shifted my priorities. I wanted to spend more time with my son while continuing to support others. That’s when I discovered ikigai, and it helped me reimagine my life and career in a way that aligned with both my personal and professional goals.
If you’re feeling lost or unsure about your next steps, this article will introduce you to ikigai, guide you through finding your own purpose, and inspire you to create a meaningful and balanced life.
What Is Ikigai?
At its core, ikigai lies at the intersection of four elements:
1. What you love (your passions)
2. What you are good at (your skills)
3. What the world needs (your contributions)
4. What you can be paid for (your livelihood)
When these elements overlap, you uncover your ikigai—a harmonious balance between personal fulfilment and societal contribution. Unlike some ideas of success that focus solely on wealth or achievement, ikigai emphasises a sustainable, joyful life.
My Journey to Ikigai
When I first encountered ikigai in Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, it resonated deeply with me. As a Counsellor and Life Coach, I was already passionate about understanding human behaviour and relationship dynamics. I had a gift for breaking down complex topics like epigenetics and intergenerational trauma into accessible concepts.
However, becoming a mother changed my perspective. I wanted a life that allowed me to be present for my son without losing sight of my career ambitions. By reflecting on the four pillars of ikigai, I realised I could combine my love for teaching and my ability to connect with people by creating online courses and workshops. This approach gave me the flexibility I needed as a mother while still allowing me to reach and inspire others. It saw the creation of my successful workshop: Healing Through Creations: Love Letter to My Soul in February 2018, where I introduced the concept of Self-care jars to a booked out group. It was the start of adding more to my toolkit and enhancing my passions.
Ikigai didn’t just help me redesign my career—it gave me a framework for living with intention and balance.
How Ikigai Helps Others
As a Life Coach, I’ve used ikigai to help clients uncover their purpose and transform their lives. Here are two examples of how the framework can guide meaningful change:
Client A: A corporate professional feeling unfulfilled despite career success.
• Through coaching, we identified her passion for mentoring young professionals and her interest in environmental sustainability.
By aligning her skills and interests, she transitioned into creating leadership workshops on sustainability. Today, she runs her own business, merging her values with her strengths.
Client B: A stay-at-home parent unsure about re-entering the workforce.
• Together, we explored her love for creative writing and community engagement. Using the ikigai framework, she began organising storytelling workshops for underserved communities, turning her passion into a fulfilling and meaningful career.
Both clients discovered that finding purpose isn’t about overhauling your life overnight —it’s about aligning your passions, skills, and values with what the world needs in a way that feels right for you.
Steps to Discover Your Ikigai
If you’re ready to uncover your purpose, start with these four steps:
1. Reflect on What You Love
Think about the activities or topics that energise you and make you lose track of time.
2. Identify Your Strengths
What comes naturally to you? What do others often ask for your help with?
3. Explore How You Can Contribute
What problems or needs in the world resonate deeply with you?
4. Consider Financial Sustainability
How can you turn your passions and skills into a sustainable livelihood?
The Health Benefits of Living with Ikigai
Living with purpose is more than just fulfilling—it’s life-enhancing. Research* supports the transformative power of ikigai. A study involving over 40,000 Japanese adults, conducted as part of the Ohsaki Cohort Study, found that individuals with a strong sense of ikigai had significantly lower risks of mortality, particularly from cardiovascular disease. The study highlights how living with purpose can positively impact both mental and physical health.
Your Journey to Purpose and Balance Starts Here
Finding your purpose doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Ikigai offers a way to uncover what truly matters to you and align it with your strengths, values, and contributions to the world. However, finding your purpose is only the beginning—true fulfilment comes from achieving balance as you pursue it.
Through my Equilibrium Life Coaching approach, I help clients uncover their ikigai and integrate it into their lives while maintaining balance. Together, we will:
• Uncover Your Ikigai: Identify your passions, strengths, and how you can contribute to the world.
• Achieve Balance: Develop strategies to align your purpose with your relationships, responsibilities, and self-care.
• Sustain Fulfilment: Build routines and tools to ensure your purpose becomes a long-term source of joy and growth.
Take the first step toward a life of clarity, balance, and meaning. Visit at www.thequilibriumcoach.com an Equilibrium Life Coaching appointment today. Let’s uncover your ikigai and create the meaningful, balanced life you deserve.
Your purpose is waiting—start your journey now!
*Source:
Sone, T., Nakaya, N., Ohmori, K., et al. (2008). Sense of life worth living (ikigai) and mortality in Japan: Ohsaki Study. Psychosomatic Medicine, 70(6), 709–715.
About the Author
Novena-Chanel, recognised as The Equilibrium Coach™️, is a dynamic and accomplished professional with a passion for helping others unlock their potential and live with purpose. As a seasoned Counsellor, Clinical Supervisor, and University Lecturer, she combines academic expertise with real-world experience to guide individuals through personal growth and professional transformation.
Her work as a Life Coach is rooted in helping clients discover balance and fulfilment, using innovative tools such as the Japanese concept of ikigai to create meaningful change. As a Reiki Master and Yoga Teacher, Novena-Chanel also integrates holistic practices into her coaching, offering a well-rounded approach to mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
A talented Writer and sought-after Media Consultant, she specialises in making complex concepts like trauma, purpose, and healing accessible to a wide audience. Her engaging content and expertise in mental health and personal development have made her a trusted voice in the wellness space.
Through her Equilibrium Life Coaching programme, Novena-Chanel empowers individuals to align their passions and strengths, achieve balance, and sustain long-term growth. To learn more or book a coaching session, visit www.theequilibriumcoach.com today.
Comments