Ikigai

66Mustang

I know many on here are unable to work, but for those who do, even if you do charity work, study, activism or anything else that vaguely resembles work, I think this is a nice concept to look at.

I am not in work but the subjects I am studying put me into the “passion” section. I was previously studying a subject that would have put me in the “vocation” section. I have to say I am a lot happier now, even if my potential career choices are more limited or less well paid.

A relative has gone from a job that they are good at, can be paid for, and the world needs, so was in the “comfortable, but feeling of emptiness” section. And they indeed were. They have now taken up a job that they love, are good at, and the world needs, but is not well paid. So now they would be put in the opposite section (delight and illness, but no wealth) and, funnily enough, that is accurate.

Where abouts do you sit on the chart? Does anyone fit in the middle?

66Mustang

Just to say "illness" in my first post should of course say "fullness", the edit button seems to be missing!

L_Volunteer

I love this post @66Mustang. Thank you for sharing it with us. I have only just started a new job role, I will be in my second week this week. I think it would be a great thread to return to when I am a little more settled into the job role 

CyberLuxe123

Really interesting discussion. Ikigai is one of those concepts that looks simple on the surface, but the more you think about it, the deeper it gets. Most people probably move between the different circles at different stages of life rather than staying perfectly in the center.

MissMarple

I'm extremely good at calming cats by singing to them. I don't know what it is as my singing voice is not great but they seem to get all relaxed, like getting into a sort of peaceful trance. Not sure if the world needs this talent or if I could get paid for it 🤣

DogMama

Miss Marple, that sounds wonderful for the cats and i think the world definitely needs that skill. Could you foster or babysit cats, or volunteer at a cat shelter? How lovely to be singing cat lullabies for stressed out kitties. In an enlightened society that'd be a well paid role. 😻

DogMama

Just imagining/daydreaming....if we had an unconditional universal citizens income, so many of us would be able to fulfil our passions and vocations and do what the world needs, even with accommodations and support, without fear of the future. What a glorious burst of creativity, innovation and growth that would bring to society.

SheffieldMan1976

I'd love to do game design for a career, but these days if you don't have a good Degree in Programming, most places don't wanna know.

MissMarple

I'd love to foster cats (or other animals) @DogMama even on a temporary basis. Unfortunately my fatigue is too bad to look after any pets.

66Mustang

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1101192#Comment_1101192

Have you tried that using skill on the security guards at a bank? That might be a way to monetise it 😆

MissMarple

Great idea @66Mustang 😂

DogMama

Hi Miss Marple, that is sad, I'm sorry for you, loving animals and not being well enough to have any is heart breaking. My Mum went through that after her last cat. I hope you have friends with lovely animals who can visit. I love Mustang 's idea about security guards. 😂

MissMarple

Thank you @DogMama I have some lovely dog visitors from time to time. Plus the occasional cat dropping by - quite literally. They just climb through the open windows when the weather is nice 😂

DogMama

That is so lovely Miss Marple, you are a proper Cat Whisperer if they are coming round to visit you out of love! How gorgeous. 💖😻

CyberLuxe123

What stood out to me is how different people describe moving between comfort, purpose, and income. That feels very real. Sometimes we choose stability over passion, and other times we lean into meaning even if it pays less. Neither is wrong. It is more about awareness. Reading the ikigai book helped me understand that the middle point is not a fixed destination. It is more like a direction you adjust toward gradually. Small changes, side projects, volunteering, or learning something new can slowly bring more alignment without needing a dramatic life overhaul.

CyberLuxe123

This is such a thoughtful post. I really like how you’ve highlighted the different “sections” of the Ikigai chart and how people can move between them over time. It’s interesting that your relative shifted from something stable but empty to something more aligned with meaning, even if it changed the balance in other areas. That really shows how dynamic Ikigai can be rather than something fixed. I’ve found that revisiting the concept through the book helped me reflect more deeply on where I sit in the diagram. The book explains how purpose is not always about landing perfectly in the middle, but about gradually adjusting small parts of your life so that what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for start overlapping more naturally.