What’s you Ikigai ?

Not long ago, a friend shared a post about his ikigai—a Japanese concept that translates loosely to “reason for being.” It struck a chord with me. In a world where it’s easy to feel scattered, overwhelmed, or disconnected, the idea of having a central purpose—something that gives your life meaning and momentum—is powerful.

Ikigai sits at the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can offer. It’s not just about career or passion—it’s about alignment. When these elements overlap, you’ve found your ikigai. It gives you a reason to get up in the morning, even on the hard days.

For me, that reason is Everyday Bushcraft.

It’s more than knots, fire, shelter, water, and self-aid—it’s a metaphor for life. Each skill represents something deeper:

• Self-Aid – the importance of knowing yourself and how to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

• Knots – the connections we build, the relationships we maintain, and the resilience we need to untangle life’s challenges.

• Shelter – the people and places that give us safety, support, and belonging.

• Fire – the spark of passion and purpose that fuels us through change and adversity.

• Water – clarity, adaptability, and the ability to purify our thoughts and intentions.

Practicing bushcraft grounds me, but more than that, it guides me. It’s my ikigai because it’s where my skills, my passion, and my purpose meet.

What’s yours?

Maybe it’s building, teaching, writing, healing, parenting, or creating. It could be something quiet and humble, or bold and public. Your ikigai doesn’t need to impress anyone—it just needs to resonate with you.

Leave a comment—what’s your ikigai? I’d love to hear it.