Understanding and Discovering What You Love: The Role of Passion in Ikigai

Feeling of intense enthusiasm towards or compelling desire for someone or something.

The journey to discovering your Ikigai, or your reason for being, begins with understanding what you truly love. This is the first element of Ikigai and it is often referred to as your passion. Passion is a strong and barely controllable emotion. It is what makes your heart sing, what you could do all day without getting bored, and what you would still do even if you weren't getting paid for it.

The Role of Passion in Ikigai

In the context of Ikigai, passion is not just about what you enjoy doing, but it's also about what gives you a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. It's about what makes you feel alive and excited. It's about what you are naturally drawn to and what you are genuinely interested in.

Passion is a crucial element of Ikigai because it is what fuels your motivation and drive. It is what keeps you going even when things get tough. It is what gives you the energy and enthusiasm to pursue your goals and dreams. Without passion, it would be difficult to find your Ikigai.

Identifying Personal Passions

Identifying your personal passions can be a challenging process, especially if you have spent a lot of time focusing on what you think you should be doing rather than what you truly love to do. However, there are several ways to uncover your passions.

One way is to reflect on your past experiences and identify the activities, hobbies, or tasks that you enjoyed the most. Think about the times when you felt the most alive and engaged. What were you doing? Why did you enjoy it?

Another way is to pay attention to what you spend your free time on. What activities do you choose to do when you have the freedom to do anything? What topics do you like to learn about in your spare time? What do you love to talk about with others?

Exercises to Discover What You Love

Here are a few exercises that can help you discover what you love:

1. Journaling: Write about your day and highlight the activities that brought you joy and satisfaction. Do this consistently for a few weeks and look for patterns.

2. Vision Board: Create a vision board with images and words that represent what you love and aspire to do. This can help you visualize your passions.

3. Bucket List: Make a list of things you want to do, experience, or achieve in your lifetime. This can give you insights into what you are passionate about.

4. Ask Others: Ask people who know you well what they think you are passionate about. Sometimes, others can see things in us that we can't see in ourselves.

Remember, discovering what you love is a personal journey. It takes time and self-reflection. Be patient with yourself and enjoy the process. After all, the journey to finding your Ikigai is just as important as the destination.