Why should we read Ikigai?

Have you ever thought of - what affects our ageing, purpose, life elements and well being? Humans age at different rates, and their happiness quotient changes as they age. Some people become happier, while for some, the purpose starts to subside. Ikigai has been one of the best reads to help reflect the underlying reasons for why that happens. For example: why are people in some regions of Japan really healthy and live the most, what really is different in their lives, thought process and profession?

One of the most unique things of Ikigai is - it is not a usual self help book, which just reflects and does not let you reflect. Ikigai has really helped me self-reflect in great ways. What is that element in a book which lets you self-reflect? It is relatability. It does not just guide, it tells stories of people who have lived really long, and their interviews which tells us about what has been a differentiating factor in their lives, which lets you relate to them.

Japan has maximum Centenarians people who live more than 100 years) in the world.

Post several studies and interviews, it was found that the answer lies in Ikigai. We are bogged down with what we need to do to earn that puts food on the table. There are some other important things which we are passionate about and some which we love. What if all these things could come together - and its not theoretical, it has actually been embodied by many cultures. If all of this comes together, there would be no concept of retirement, and when that happens, we would not be waiting for leftover pieces of our lives for excitement, the excitement would be in our purpose to live. Rather than waiting to die, we would be waiting for the next morning, and that would keep us happy and fulfilled.

Overall - its an very good and easy read. I would personally rate it 4/5. its chapters such as - how to stay young even when you are growing old, and find flow in everything you do are eye opening.