Ikigai — finding flow in what you enjoy doing

We have certain ideas about the Japanese people and Asians in general. We know that they strive to be the best, always aiming for world-class excellence in practically everything they do.

They never stop trying, repeatedly and passionately devoting themselves to what they consider important in their lives, whether it be love, hate, revenge, or any other emotion. This is the reason we are familiar with them.

In simpler terms, they have a relentless pursuit of improvement and a deep passion for their endeavors. Steve Jobs applied this ideology to Apple, constantly iterating and taking us along on the journey.

I once faced significant struggles in various aspects of my life, to the point where I had suicidal ideations. It was during this time that I came across the book “Ikigai” and read it.

As a product designer, my day job is my main source of income. I initially became a designer for unconventional reasons, but I have discovered my love for it. I truly enjoy being a designer.

To learn design, I immersed myself fully in the subject. I even binge-watched a course on Udemy in 2019, obtaining my first design certificate. I began my design journey by following the principles taught in that course, which provided an overview of the origins and evolution of design, both physical and digital. The course then focused on digital product design, and it was through this that I became a product designer, applying my knowledge and finding immense satisfaction in it.

After reading “Ikigai,” I realized that I want to enjoy my work and find flow in it. It became clear to me that work happiness is essential and cannot be compromised.

When I enjoy my work, I am happier and find a state of flow, as explained in the chapter titled “Find flow in everything you do” in the book Ikigai. During job interviews, I had to think of interesting ways to share my journey and experiences.

I came to understand that work happiness is a crucial aspect of life. If you are not happy in any major area of your life, it can negatively impact other areas as well. These major areas include career, personal life, love life, and family.

For me, work life needs to be enjoyable. I take pleasure in creating aesthetically pleasing user interfaces and experiences. I am passionate about designing both digital and physical products.