Ikigai Book Review

Ikigai Book Review– How often does this happen to you that you just find yourself wondering about the purpose of your life? The reason you were born and what is the secret to a long and happy life? Well, to be honest, if you are an over-thinker, I can bet you do think that.

Guess what? I am an overthinker, and I found myself thinking about the purpose of my life and the reason I wake up every morning! If I sum it all up in a word, I found myself thinking “What’s my Ikigai?”. And this was the exact discussion that took place between the authors of the book Ikigai. Hector Gracia and Francesc Miralles. This is is when the word Ikigai came into the picture.

The word “Ikigai” is a Japanese term that means “the happiness of always being busy”. Some people are busy but empty inside, with no ray of light. Then some live a long, happy, and satisfying life. The ones who find their Ikigai. And this is how I got this book in my hands!

But what is the deeper meaning of Ikigai- The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life? Is it just about finding one’s purpose in life? What more lies in the pages of this best-selling book Ikigai? Well, let’s explore that in the Ikigai book review!

Ikigai Book Review | Book Overview

Before getting into the Ikigai book review, let’s get the answer to the question What “Ikigai” really means? What is it all about? Who are the authors of Ikigai? Without a due, let’s dive in straight!

“Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years.”
—Japanese Proverb

Hector Gracia and Francesc Miralles| Ikigai Authors [Overview]

Hector Gracia | Ikigai Author

Hector Gracia is a citizen of Japan, where he has lived for over 10 years, and of Spain, where he was born. The Japanese author has not written a lot of books. Just a few, out of one was the number 1 best-selling book in Japan “A Geek in Japan”. A former software developer, Hector Gracia is a huge name not just because of the book Ikigai, but also because of his contribution to the development of voice recognition software needed by the silicon valley start-ups to build a base in the Japanese markets.

Francesc Millares | Ikigai Author

Francesc Millares is a renowned name in English literature. He has written numerous bestselling self-help and inspirational books including Ikigai. He is well-versed in English literature, German and, has also studied journalism. He has also worked as an editor, a translator, a ghost-writer, and a musician. His novels have also been translated into different languages (more than 20) due to the increasing popularity of the books.

Ikigai Book Review | Book Overview

Ikigai- The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life; written by Hector Gracia and Francesc Millares is a treasure. The book talks about the happiness of being busy and how working leads to a happy and long life.

Ikigai is a collection of secrets. The secrets shared by the people who have lived the longest about how to live longer. According to Japanese people, everyone in this world has an Ikigai- The reason they are alive; one just has to find it out.

In the book, the authors, Hector Gracia and Francesc Miralles have themselves discussed and also interviewed the people of Japan on how to find their IKIGAI.

To find one’s Ikigai, the most important thing is to find one’s purpose. A reason they should live for.

But living a long and HAPPY life is so much more than finding one’s Ikigai. There are so many other factors to consider to live longer. The authors, hence have thrived hard for us and have extracted all they found out in their book. That (not all but) we will find out in the Ikigai book review!

Book Blurb | Ikigai- The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life.

The baseline of the book is about living longer. The book has suggested ways we can use that will make us feel better and good both inside and out. They are the things that renew our minds and bodies-

Walk to work,or just go on walks.
Use your feet instead of elevator.

Participate in social or leisure activities.
Replace your junk food with fruits.
Get the right amount of sleep etc.

Many more exciting things like this are discovered in the book Ikigai which I won’t discuss in the Ikigai Book review (*sorry no spoilers from my side, READ THE BOOK! But, before that, read the Ikigai book review.*).

Straight up jumping to what you must have to learn from the book!

What to pick out from Ikigai? | Lessons to Learn

There were certain things (especially the last one. Which explains a lot to me) that left a really deep impression on me from the book Ikigai.

They are

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.
Life is not a problem to be solved. Just remember to have something that keeps you busy doing what you love while being surrounded by the people who love you.

Our ikigai is different for all of us, but one thing we have in common is that we are all searching for meaning.
We’re all going to die. Some people are scared of dying. Never be afraid to die. Because you’re born to die.
Morita explained the idea of letting go of negative feelings with the following fable: A donkey that is tied to a post by a rope will keep walking around the post in an attempt to free itself, only to become more immobilized and attached to the post. The same thing applies to people with obsessive thinking who become more trapped in their own suffering when they try to escape from their fears and discomfort.

Metabolism slows down 90 percent after 30 minutes of sitting.

If you have read Ikigai, and still reading the Ikigai book review, do add to this list through the comments.

What was it that I loved In Ikigai?

There were so many things I liked in the book.

How do I name and state a few? Let’s try.

First of all, the cover of the book. One of the reader attractions of Ikigai is its pretty cover. A light, and calming blue color which one can’t help but love.

(Yeah! I know they say “never judge a book by its cover.” But when the cover is this pretty, why not?)

I would say if there is ever something that will make you slow down, take a deep breath, and introspect the meaning of your life, the thing would be the book Ikigai. The book is so calming just like its cover, it would calm your mind down.

If you let each chapter drown into yourself, highlight the quotes (if you like highlighting), and make notes, you will unfold and understand the beautiful muddle life is. It is pure and simple. Nothing fancy, yet so unique.

Star Ratings | Ikigai Book Review

★★★★★

I would bless myself with long life and give this book 4.5/5 stars. Ikigai is a book that soothes you when you read it. As much as I loved reading the book, I loved writing the Ikigai book review (writing is my Ikigai).

Should you read Ikigai? | Ikigai Book Review

Just like The Alchemist, I cannot find a reason for you to not read this book. Well, I have read it and so should you.

The book will take you through worlds and places you never thought you would go (which is another benefit of reading books, by the way!). You should not hesitate and definitely give this book a try!