Have you ever felt that special something that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning? That feeling of fulfillment that drives you and pushes you to give your best? If not, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many African women are searching for their reason for being, their Ikigai.
Originally from Japan, this ancestral concept represents both purpose, passion, vocation, and source of income. In other words, it’s what gives meaning to your life. But how can you find your Ikigai, especially as an African woman? L’Africaine takes you on a journey toward your fulfillment today so that you can fully embrace the new year 2025.
What is Ikigai and why is it important for women?
Ikigai is like an internal compass that guides you toward your life path. It’s about finding the intersection between what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
For African women, Ikigai holds special importance. It allows you to:
- Achieve full fulfillment: By aligning your actions with your values and passions, you’ll experience a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness.
- Develop your potential: Ikigai encourages you to explore your talents and put them to use for a cause close to your heart.
- Find your place in the world: By discovering your purpose, you’ll contribute to making the world better and leaving your mark.
The 4 pillars of Ikigai: how to put them into practice?
To find your Ikigai, it’s essential to answer these four questions:
- What you love: What are your passions, hobbies, activities that bring you pleasure?
- What you’re good at: What are your talents, strengths, skills?
- What the world needs: What problems do you want to solve, what causes do you want to defend?
- What you can be paid for: How can you monetize your passions and talents?
The example of Amina, a social entrepreneur in Ivory Coast, shows us how aligned one can feel when following their Ikigai.
“I’ve always been passionate about educating young girls. By creating my association, I found a way to combine my love for teaching with my desire to help my community. My Ikigai is to provide young girls with the means to emancipate themselves and achieve their dreams.”
Practical tips for finding your Ikigai
- Practice meditation and mindfulness: These practices will help you better understand yourself and connect with your intuition.
- Keep a journal: Write regularly about your thoughts, dreams, and aspirations.
- Try new things: Step out of your comfort zone and discover new passions.
- Surround yourself with positive people: The people you associate with impact your mindset.
- Don’t fear failure: Failure is part of the process; it allows you to learn and progress.
- Take the online Ikigai test: Online tests are free, quick, and can be taken at any time. You can answer questions confidentially, and they offer a first approach to the concept of Ikigai and help you ask the right questions.
- Get support from a personal development professional: The professional will adapt their approach to your personal situation and specific needs. They will help you explore different facets of your personality and identify your deep values. They will guide you throughout the process and provide tools to implement the changes you desire. Thanks to their training and experience, they can offer new perspectives and help you overcome your obstacles.
Like Marie, a farmer in Senegal, you can find the “why” of your existence and fully live your passion.
“Cultivating the land is more than a job for me; it’s a passion. I love watching plants grow, feeding my family and community. My Ikigai is contributing to my community’s food self-sufficiency and preserving our agricultural traditions while harmonizing them with the advantages of my time.”
The importance of focusing on your Ikigai at year’s end
Year-end is a favorable time for reflection and assessment. It’s the ideal moment to step back and look at your life, evaluate your accomplishments, and define your goals for the coming year. By focusing on your Ikigai, you can:
- Identify what brought you happiness and satisfaction during the past year.
- Highlight areas where you want to develop and flourish more.
- Define clear and achievable goals for the coming year, connected to your Ikigai.
The experience of Zanele, a painter in South Africa with discovering her Ikigai is a direct invitation to define 2025 with this tool:
“Painting is my outlet, my means of expression. Through my works, I tell the story of my people and celebrate the beauty of our continent. My Ikigai is to leave a mark on the world and inspire future generations. Every year-end, I take time to reflect on my artistic projects and set new goals to live aligned in the new year.”
Finding your Ikigai is a personal journey that requires time and patience. But the rewards are immense. By discovering your purpose, you’ll open the doors to a more fulfilled, authentic life that’s more aligned with your values, dear African women.
So tell us, are you ready to embark on the discovery of your Ikigai for a 2025 that reflects your essence?