Happiness is in the Climb: Why Chasing Purpose is Making You Miserable
Why does work-life balance feel impossible? Why do so many of us feel exhausted chasing purpose—like we’re running toward an invisible finish line that keeps moving?
If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. And it turns out, we may be thinking about purpose all wrong.
The Truth About Ikigai
Some of you may have heard of Ikigai. If you haven’t, here’s a quick primer: Ikigai is said to roughly translate from Japanese to “reason for being.” It’s often depicted as the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
Source: BODETREE, Adapted from Francesc Miralles
When I first encountered this framework, my analytical brain LOVED it. (And honestly, a part of me still does.) It felt like the ultimate puzzle—if I could just solve for the perfect overlap, I’d unlock a life of purpose and fulfillment.
This framework encourages self-reflection and reconnection with what brings you joy, which is a good thing. But here’s the problem: The way Ikigai is presented in the West is an illusion of work-life balance. Instead of feeling inspired, many people find themselves frustrated—why haven’t I found my perfect intersection yet? What if I never do?
The Westernized Ikigai vs. The Real Meaning
When I hit this wall myself, I decided to dig deeper into Ikigai’s origins. Maybe understanding its true meaning would unlock the missing piece of the puzzle.
It turns out, the Venn diagram version of Ikigai is a Western adaptation, popularized by the 2017 book Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by García and Miralles. But the original concept of Ikigai in Japan is completely different.
So I searched: How would a Japanese person describe Ikigai?
Here’s what I found.
The word “iki” means life, and “gai” means value.
But Ikigai isn’t about finding one singular purpose—it’s about feeling alive in the present moment.
Professor Akihiro Hasegawa, one of Japan’s leading researchers on the topic, describes Ikigai as:
“the feeling that one is alive in the here and now, and the individual awareness that drives people to survive it. It emphasizes the importance of personal agency, a sense of progress, and a focus on daily existence rather than contemplating life in its entirety.”
This is a radical departure from the Western interpretation. Instead of obsessing over a “life purpose,” the real Ikigai philosophy values the journey itself, not a perfect destination.
What We Can Learn From Other Cultures
Japan isn’t the only place where this mindset exists.
Okinawa, Japan, is one of the world’s Blue Zones—regions with the longest life expectancy. While diet and environment play a role, could the Ikigai mentality also be a factor?
Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, another Blue Zone, embraces the “Pura Vida” mindset—appreciating simple pleasures, living in the moment, and fostering social connections for a relaxed, optimistic life.
Denmark-a Blue Zone of Happiness-abides by the “hygge” philosophy. Hygge generally references to a quality of coziness and comfort (think fireplaces, comfy sweaters), but at its philosophical and spiritual core, hygge is about making every day tasks joyful and living a life connected with loved ones.
This idea isn’t just cultural—it has philosophical roots, too.
What Sisyphus Can Teach Us About Purpose
Who remembers the myth of Sisyphus?
Sisyphus was a working woman
Sisyphus was a king punished by the gods to push a boulder up a hill for eternity—only for it to roll back down every time. His story is often seen as the ultimate metaphor for meaningless struggle. And I’m sure you and other working woman feels this struggle in your bones.
But French philosopher Albert Camus had a different take in his essay The Myth of Sisyphus. He argued that instead of viewing Sisyphus’s task as pointless suffering, we should imagine him as happy—embracing the struggle, finding joy in the effort itself.
Think about it—how many of us feel like Sisyphus? Pushing a never-ending workload up a hill, just for it to roll back down. Our inboxes refill. Our to-do lists reset. There’s always another thing to do.
But what if we, too, could embrace the struggle? What if joy isn’t at the top of the mountain, but in the climb itself?
The Science of Gratitude
This isn’t just philosophy—it’s backed by science.
Studies show that gratitude activates areas in the brain that release oxytocin, a hormone linked to pleasure, connection, and trust.
Practicing gratitude reduces cortisol levels, lowering stress and anxiety, and is positively associated with cognitive function.
A systematic review of 64 studies found that simple gratitude practices, like journaling, significantly improved mental well-being.
Participants reported a 6.86% rise in life satisfaction
A 7.76% reduction in anxiety
A 6.89% decrease in depression symptoms
Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good exercise—it’s a powerful tool for better mental health.
How to Apply This In Your Life
Forget about finding “the answer” to work-life balance or your purpose in life. Instead, focus on finding joy in the everyday moments of your life. And remember, you don’t find your purpose—you create it. By embracing the journey, you connect with your passions, develop them, and allow them to evolve over time. That’s the most beautiful part of the process.
Here’s how to practice gratitude:
Notice small joys. When something positive happens, take a mental snapshot.
Write it down. Keep a gratitude journal, even if it’s just a note in your phone.
Relive good memories. Share happy moments with others.
Pay it forward. Compliment someone, acknowledge their effort, spread kindness.
If you’re tired of chasing balance and want a new approach to work, life, and purpose—I’ve got you. Let’s talk.
