Ikigai

This book is the sparkling gem out of all the books I read this year. It also made it onto my shelf of books that I read and reread yearly or, in this case, throughout the year.

Stepping into 2023, I craved a space where I didn’t feel like my life was moving a million miles an hour. This book was a welcomed pause button, nudging me to slow down and appreciate the little things, helping me to truly see the value in living life in the moment.

The book is packed with real-world tips and practical advice (something we… show more.

When I traveled for research in Japan, one word I kept hearing was “ikigai”. Ikigai does not have a perfect equivalent in English, but is often translated either as “purpose in life” or “life worth living.” And, as science shows, it’s a very important reason for why the Japanese are among the longest-lived people on the planet. For me, García’s and Miralles’s well-written book was a rewarding deep dive not only into the Japanese culture but also into the science linking meaning in life, happiness, and longevity.