Our daily life brings with it many moments of joy, satisfaction, and also challenge. We have decisions to make, stressors to manage and things to get done, day after day, month after month. And things like achievements and positive happenings don’t make us happy forever- we feel good for a little while and then the feeling subsides.  How, then, can anyone really be happy? Is happiness just a myth?

The Japanese term ‘ikigai’ gives us an answer. This terms roughly translates to the happiness that comes from being busy.

• What we like to do,
• What we are good at,
• What we can contribute to the world, and
• If we can be paid for it.

If we find something that meets these criteria, then, we have found our ikigai.

At another level, it refers to the idea that small joys of everyday life can build up to a meaningful and fulfilled life. When we find things that make us happy daily - taking a walk, completing a task, a phone call with a friend- it brings a lot of value in our life in the long run. And if these things can benefit not only us, personally, but also others around us, then it adds up even more.

Some principles to keep in mind:

• Be open: Engaging with varied activities and interests increases our chances of experiencing moments of joy, and also adds meaning to our life.
• Take it slow: Managing our responsibilities and time well can reduce stress, and taking it slow is better for our mental and physical health.
• Maintain social connections: Having people in our life to talk to, confide in, laugh with, and get advice from allows us to feel connected, supported and secure.
• Self-care: Our physical health tends to be constantly under pressure these days. Getting the right amount of sleep, exercise, nutrition, and time for leisure contributes to managing that pressure.
• Practise mindfulness: Letting go of regrets from the past, fears of the future and focusing on the present time is a powerful tool. It allows us to connect with that is happening right now, and limits thoughts that might spiral out of control.
• Identify your ikigai- Each of us have unique interests and passions that can give us meaning and purpose. Some questions to ask ourselves are

“what do I enjoy doing in my spare time? What did like to I do when I was younger?”,

“What do people ask my help with?”,

“What or who inspires me?”

These can give us some hints as to where our ikigai (happiness through meaning) may lie.

These might seem easier said than done, and yet, attempting to do them sets us on the path towards happiness, and can motivate us to keep going. Starting with one small change to our daily routine and practising it till it becomes a part of us is a good starting point.

Good luck!

To find ways to practise these principles of happiness, reach out to a counsellor.