Finding Your Ikigai!
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: As nurses, we all know that nursing is one of the most fulfilling yet demanding professions. The challenges of long shifts, emotional stress, and burnout can sometimes make it difficult to stay motivated. The Japanese concept of Ikigai (pronounced “ee-key-guy”) offers a unique perspective, helping healthcare professionals discover deeper meaning and purpose in their work and personal lives. Ikigai is a Japanese construct made up of two words iki (to live) and gai (worth) with origins over 1000 years ago. In English literature, it is often translated as “reason for being,” “purpose in life,” or “life worth living.”[1–3] It is said to have evolved from the basic health and wellness principles of traditional Japanese medicine. This medical tradition holds that physical well-being is affected by one’s mental and emotional health, in addition to a sense of purpose in life. Ikigai is where your passion, mission, calling, and career intersect. For nurses, Ikigai is not just about a career; it is a calling, one that brings deep satisfaction, resilience, and a profound sense of purpose. It can help nurses reconnect with their passion and sustain their well-being. It also encompasses motivation and interpersonal satisfaction.[4] Having Ikigai has been associated with numerous health benefits, especially among older adults, such as the reduced risk of depression,[5] dementia,[5] disability,[5,6] and cardiovascular disease.[7,8] Furthermore, it is associated with lowered all-cause mortality.[7,9,10]Ikigai is essential for older adults to lead fulfilling and independent lives[11] and is associated with increased mental well-being and life satisfaction.[5] There have also been several reviews and meta-analyses suggesting protective benefits of having higher levels of meaning and purpose in life for health and quality of life.[12,13]Ikigai is a complex concept because of its subjective nature, which cannot be understood without lived experience. Put succinctly, and it is a feeling that arises in your body when you are living in congruence with your purpose in life. Ikigai [Figure 1] is centered on four key questionsFigure 1: Ikigai diagram[ 14 ] What do you love to do? What are you good at? What will someone pay you for? What does the world need? The interesting part that Ikigai highlights is how and where they interact; your Ikigai lies at the center of those interconnecting circles. At the intersection of what you love and what you are good at is your passion At the intersection of what you love and what the world needs is your mission At the intersection of what the world needs and what you can get paid for is your vocation At the intersection of what you are good at and what you can get paid for is your profession. In health care, this means balancing professional skills, personal passions, societal contributions, and financial stability. Ikigai has been consistently associated with better health, including lower levels of mortality and functional disability.[7,15] There have also been several recent reviews and meta-analyses suggesting the protective benefits of having higher levels of meaning and purpose in life for health and quality of life.[12] What You Love (Passion) – The Heart of Nursing Most nurses enter the profession because they genuinely care about people and want to make a difference. Helping patients heal, comforting families, and being a source of support can be deeply rewarding. Reflection: Ask yourself, which aspects of your work bring the most joy? How can you focus more on those meaningful moments in your work? What the World Needs (Mission) – A Role That Matters Nurses are essential to healthcare systems worldwide, improving lives through compassion and expertise. Beyond patient care, nurses educate communities, advocate for public health, and influence medical policies. Reflection: Consider how does your work contribute to the well-being of others? How can you make an even greater impact? What You Can Be Paid for (Profession) – A Sustainable Career Nursing is a respected and rewarding career that provides financial stability while allowing professionals to serve others. Nursing also provides opportunities for growth, specialization, and leadership. Finding ways to advance (e.g. pursuing further education, specializing in a field of interest) can enhance both job satisfaction and income. Reflection: Think about, are you growing in your career? What area of nursing excites you the most? What You are Good at (Vocation) – Skills that Make a Difference Nurses develop expertise in many specialties through education and experience, using their skills to save lives, ease suffering, and support patients emotionally. Continuous learning and self-improvement ensure long-term success and fulfillment. Reflection: Identify what are your strengths as a nurse? How can you refine your skills to become even better? Practical Ways to Cultivate and Live with Ikigai? Cultivate an attitude of gratitude – Focus on small joys, savor moments of gratitude, like a patient’s smile, a thank you note, or a meaningful conversation. Commit to a daily habit of jotting down three things you are grateful for in the morning or evening Practice self-care – Prevent burnout by setting boundaries and prioritizing rest, nutrition, and exercise. Engage in mindfulness practices (journaling, meditation) and hobbies outside of work Find a mentor or community – Connecting with supportive colleagues helps reinforce purpose and motivation Reflect on key questions and know your “why” – regularly remind yourself why you became a nurse in the first place. How can you do more of what fulfills you? Embrace continuous learning – Stay curious and passionate by exploring new skills, certifications, or career paths within nursing. By integrating Ikigai principles, nurses can cultivate a sense of fulfillment, balance, and joy in their profession. Nursing is not just about caring for others; it is also about nurturing one’s own sense of purpose and well-being. Ikigai is the pursuit of a lifestyle that strives to balance the spiritual with the practical. It is all too easy to fall victim to siloed thinking, that our job, family, passions, and desires are all separate and unrelated aspects of our lives. The fundamental truth of Ikigai is that nothing is siloed. Everything is connected. It is not something grand or extraordinary. Ikigai is not just about thriving professionally; it is about nurturing a fulfilled, meaningful life. Within you, there is a passion, a unique talent that gives meaning to your days and pushes you to give your best until the end. What better way, then, to discover a sustainable passion than by finding your Ikigai? Remember, “a nurse is not what you do. It is what you are…. I am a nurse. It’s not what I do, it’s what I am” – Anonymous. Reflect and ask yourself, how can you live with more purpose, starting today, to live a longer and healthier life?
Author: Mary Healy
Institution: King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4409003038