When something major shakes those identities, we might feel as if life has lost its meaning, or question our purpose. But for one psychologist, the Japanese concept of "ikigai" has helped her navigate these difficulties and look at self-worth and belonging in a whole different light.
She reveals how to practice ikigai yourself, common mistakes to avoid and why its focus on finding true meaning and connection sets you up for an optimism that lasts—even if your circumstances fluctuate.
Ikigai's Meaning
In Dr. Chopra's book, The Power of Real Optimism, she writes that her favorite method to identify your life's purpose is "the Japanese practice of finding one's ikigai," explaining that "it is a combination of the words iki (meaning "life") and kai (meaning, essentially, "fruitfulness" or "the result of effort") and roughly translates into "reason for living."
This idea felt completely new and ground-breaking.
She has written that in Japanese culture, "Ikigai can describe multiple things, including activities that bring life meaning, the motivation to fulfill that meaning, and the general sense that one's life has meaning."
"What resonated wasn’t the idea of a single life purpose, but the understanding that meaning is lived daily and evolves over time," she continues telling Parade. "That perspective has stayed with me ever since and deeply informs my work today. In The Power of Real Optimism, I write about optimism not as blind positivity, but as staying engaged with life—finding meaning, connection and agency even when the future feels uncertain. Ikigai offers a grounded, human way to do exactly that."
Related: Psychologist Says if You Have These 8 Habits, You Are Highly Emotionally Mature
Simon Element
What activities give me energy rather than drain it?When do I feel most like myself?What do people naturally come to me for?What feels meaningful even when it’s hard?What values do I want my time to reflect right now?What am I willing to practice, not just wish for?Where am I growing—even if it’s uncomfortable?What feels worth sustaining over time?
"These questions aren’t meant to be answered all at once—they’re meant to be revisited as life changes," she says.
Related: Want to Live a Happier Life? Happiness Experts Say That These Are the 6 Most Important Changes to Make
2 Common Mistakes or Misconceptions People Make When Starting This Practice
"The biggest [mistake] is treating ikigai like a destination instead of a relationship," Dr. Chopra tells Parade. "People often think they need one perfect answer or a single lifelong purpose. In reality, ikigai shifts with age, roles, health and circumstance."
2. Equating "purpose" only with your job
"Another mistake is tying purpose only to productivity or career," Dr. Chopra says. "Meaning can live in relationships, creativity, caregiving, learning or contribution in small, everyday ways. Optimism grows when meaning is flexible, not rigid."
While ikigai naturally leads to greater optimism as you begin to find meaning in smaller, everyday ways, Dr. Chopra is also calling out an important self-worth ritual that she relies on for increased positivity.
Many of us are used to ruminating about past conversations, stressful future decisions and things we wish we had done differently, but we should spend more time giving ourselves credit instead.
Related: Psychologist Says People With High Levels of Self-Respect Never Share These 7 Personal Things
"Self-worth isn’t built through affirmations alone—it’s built through remembering your capacity to respond," Dr. Chopra explains. "That memory is one of the strongest foundations of real optimism."
Related: Dr. Deepika Chopra Reveals: 'Worry Time' Actually Helps 'Resolve' Anxiety
Source:
Dr. Deepika Chopra (aka "The Optimism Doctor") is a professional psychologist, visual imagery expert and founder of Things Are Looking Up, a consultancy devoted to the intersection of science and soul. She is the author of The Power of Real Optimism: A Practical, Science-Based Guide to Staying Resilient, Curious, and Open Even When Life Is Hard, holds a doctorate in clinical health psychology and completed a double postdoctoral fellowship at both the University of California at Los Angeles and Cedars Sinai Medical Center. She completed her formal dissertation on the topic of optimism, positive sensory visualization and the connection to optimal well-being.Hence then, the article about the japanese concept a psychologist swears by to find purpose in life was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( The Japanese Concept a Psychologist Swears by To Find Purpose in Life )
Also on site :
- Peter Alexander is leaving NBC after years of being passed over for top anchor jobs: source
- This Can't Miss Scenic Spot Just Under an Hour from Vegas Will Have You Feeling Like You're in Another World
- Tiger Woods Mugshot Released As DUI Charged Golf Icon Out Of Jail; Trump Oddly Circumspect About “Good Friend”