Ikigai: "A Reason For Being"
So, I've been thinking about the concept of ikigai (pronounced "ee-kee-guy") lately -- especially since my headspace hasn't been in the best place lately...Just frustrated.
Anyways ikigai is a Japanese philosophy that explains a person's reason for being.
Below is a chart that explains it:
Most of the jobs I've taken has fallen under the profession category...I'm usually quite good at the jobs I do, but I feel empty inside...as though it is meaningless. I am merely there just to make money and go about my day. I've experienced passion maybe...Once? But it was short-lived based on the work environment being toxic. My last job would probably fall under vocation based on it being a non-profit job, but I didn't...particularly love it...felt soulless too (probably because I was in the finance department, not really out on the field).
My dream is to live a more simple life out on a farm/ranch and live with the earth...A lot of things that I enjoy doing won't really pay much.
For now, I'm trying to get my real-estate license by taking online classes. Housing has been an interest of mine for a long time now, would love to help people find their perfect homes or even help with the homelessness or those who are in DV situations, since I've experienced those things personally...
It's just...the classes are dull and bring no joy, however, it will definitely pay off in the long run. Not sure if it will be my true ikigai, but I can try, I guess. I have many other hobbies/interests, but they're not lucrative...
Anyways, I have some questions for you guys!
1) Currently, what category of "Ikigai" do you fall under with your current job? (ex. Profession, Passion, Mission, Vocation, or are you at peace and have achieved Ikigai?)
2) If money were not an issue, what is your "dream job" or rather, what is your interest/hobbies/passions?
3) Anything else you would like to share?
@ImpudentIncognito My ikigai is passion
@Holmes33 Ikigai entails passion, vocation, mission, and profession all into one. It is a dream job that you love doing, what you're good at, that helps everyone, and that pays well. Ikigai is everything --a sense of purpose in life. 😊
@ImpudentIncognito If money were not an issue I would like to be a travel writer
@Holmes33 That sounds like fun, good luck! 🍀
@ImpudentIncognito lucky are those whose passion and profession align
When I first took the Certificate Program for my previous position, I had felt the Passion in my work and it was a profession. When I changed jobs because someone recommended me into the current job, it felt more like a Profession and Mission. There is some Passion, but not as much as before, and is gradually diminishing because of the people I work with making it less enjoyable. But when I do think about the work itself, I do have passion for it and its quite meaningful to me. The only problem is that it's not very stable, as I'm not a permanent staff.
If money was not an issue, I'd like to work overseas as an English Teacher (first choice will be in South Korea), the dream career.
I used to believe that I have found a career that I was passionate about, as I spent 8k on an intense 4-month full-time Certificate Program. I ended up working in that position for only 3 years before being recommended into the current job. Now that I've been working here, I feel if I went back, things will get stressful, and when there are staff there that I don't get along with, there's no way I'll be returning. I feel the same kind of purpose in the current job I do now too, it's just that, with the lack of seniority hours, I'll never get a full-time position here, so my work will always be unstable, as I work only when others are on vacation or sick leave. And colleagues aren't on vacation or sick everyday of the year. So, there may be months where I only have a week of work.
@ImpudentIncognito
@Jaeteuk An English teaching job in Korea sounds like it would be fun! If I remembered correctly, you currently work in the medical field, right? I heard it is quite stressful in that field. I'm sorry you are dealing with difficult colleagues...I hope eventually you'll be able to work your dream job! Would you be able to work as an English teacher soon or are you waiting a bit before you get started? I'm currently out of the workforce now due to disabilities...unfortunately. This prevents me from reaching my ikigai until I've recovered...It bites. But my dream would probably be doing something creative, like composing/playing music, drawing (comics/animations), and writing. I think all of those would be fun! I used to tutor English (unprofessionally, just for free) but haven't done so in a while, so rusty. I think you'll enjoy it a lot. 😊 I hope you are able to achieve your ikigai as well!
Yes, I am currently in the medical field, working as an Aide in the Operating Room (not a nurse). There is a problematic colleague that will be retiring this year, her last day is probably in July, but she will be taking all her vacation before, so she'll be gone in May & June. But once she's gone, the lady who's currently working a temporary full-time line, will most likely be applying for her position. If she gets it, it means her temp line will be up for grabs, as it's supposed to be until October. We have a colleague on Maternity Leave. With that in mind, another problematic colleague may apply for it. If that person comes, my mental health will be at risk.
On January 1st, 2024, I emailed out a Cover Letter and Resume to a company I wanted to teach English at. Except it's in China, not South Korea. I haven't heard back from them yet, but my plan is to email them every month until I get a reply. That being said, I've started to work on what to write in the email as a follow-up to the job offer. I timed it in a way, where I send it out on the 1st, but in China, it would be the morning of the 2nd. Reason why I did it that way, was I figured, maybe they wouldn't be checking their work emails on January 1st.
I hope you do well in the Real Estate program. I knew a previous colleague's boyfriend, now husband, we took the program like 10 years ago, and now they are living quite well. He doesn't show off his wealth with material things, but before COVID, they went on weekend getaways every month. They are both in their 20s, 2 kids, have their own place, he bought her a car, they have a dog.. looks like they're financially stable.
I hope you will finish the Real Estate program and start working again. I remember that you were struggling financially, and didn't want to put all the burden on your partner. Good luck to you!~
@ImpudentIncognito