Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter
Ikigai
I always say organizing isn’t the goal, the goal is to enjoy life and not be stressed. I’ve just finished reading a wonderful book, Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. Ikigai is a Japanese word that means “reason for living or the happiness of always being busy.” I love this idea, because it fits in with so many things I already believe: Habit is important; being busy isn’t the same as being stressed, and work is healthy. I’m always happiest when I’m busy, a fact people always try to pathologize, but it’s true!
The authors of Ikigai went to Ogimi, a rural town on the island of Okinawa, often referred to as the Island of Longevity, and interviewed every resident older than 100, of which there are many. Then, they synthesized their research into this wonderful little book.
What they discovered is that people need habit (I knew it!), community and purpose. The Japanese don’t really have a concept of retirement. It isn’t that people are going to the office at 105, but they are tending their gardens, involved in all kinds of projects and connected to their community. They are busy, but not stressed. I think we put too much emphasis on “relaxing.” Most of us are happiest when we are engaged and somewhat challenged, but not in over our heads.
It makes sense to me that habits can lead to a long and happy life. Habits like eating a healthy breakfast and walking after lunch can be cornerstones of your day (bonus points if you also make dealing with your mail a habit). If you regularly meet with friends, it’s a habit and community connection, so doubly good. And when you have a purpose—whether it’s helping the less fortunate, expressing yourself through art or even helping people to get organized—you wake up with energy and focus. Not everyone has a paying job that aligns with what they feel is their purpose in life, but that shouldn’t keep you from seeking your purpose, because when you have a purpose, you are in “flow” or “the zone” or “your happy place,” and that is a beautiful place to be—even if you can’t be there Monday to Friday from 9 to 5.
It’s easy to become isolated in your busy life, but you have to work to maintain friendships, because they fill you up in a different way than work does. Likewise, it takes commitment to maintain good habits, but the payoff is big. Ask yourself what you can do to find your ikigai. Are there healthy habits you should focus on developing? Are you connected to your community? Do you have something, even if it’s a hobby, that feels like a purpose to you? Sometimes what I do for a living seems silly to me, but when I think that helping clients develop habits, even if they seem mundane, might actually lead them to live longer and be happier, well then, I know I have found my ikigai.