Have you ever felt like you’re spinning all the plates—doing everything right, but still wondering… is this it?
Hi, I’m Marcy. I’ve spent most of my life navigating stress, anxiety, and the constant pressure to “do it all.” For a long time, I was so busy taking care of everyone else, I lost sight of myself.
But then I discovered something that changed the way I see purpose and peace: Ikigai.
“ee-kee-guy”
(Like: "E-key-guy")
What is Ikigai?
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means “a reason for being.”
✨ "Iki" means life
✨ "Gai" means worth or value
So together, it means “a reason for being” or “what makes life worth living.”
It’s where four powerful elements meet:
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What you love
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What you're good at
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What the world needs
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What you can be paid for
When these overlap, you don’t just find a career—you find calm. You find your center. You find a reason to get up in the morning with energy, intention, and joy.
Ikigai vs. Passion: What’s the Difference?
You’ve probably heard a lot about finding your passion. But here’s the thing: passion is just one piece of the puzzle. Ikigai goes deeper. While passion is about what excites you, ikigai includes your skills, your contribution, and your livelihood.
Ikigai is more sustainable. It’s not a spark—it’s a steady flame. Something you can return to again and again as you grow and evolve.
How Ikigai Supports Mental Health
As someone who’s lived with anxiety for most of my life, I know how powerful it is to have something that grounds you. Ikigai gives you a sense of direction when everything else feels chaotic. It connects you to meaning and allows you to feel purposeful, even on the hard days.
When you’re clear on your ikigai, your choices feel easier. You start saying no to what drains you—and yes to what fuels you. And you start living a life that actually feels like your own.
My Personal Ikigai
When I mapped out my own ikigai, here’s what I discovered:
What I love: Helping people feel better, storytelling, creating, teaching through experience
What I’m good at: Entrepreneurship, aromatherapy, branding, creating sensory experiences, connecting with people
What the world needs: Natural ways to reduce stress, more calm in the everyday, and honest stories from people navigating life, mental health, and meaningful work
What I can be paid for: Natural products that support well-being, speaking engagements, consulting entrepreneurs, writing, and developing experiences rooted in scent and calm
It helped me realize that what I’ve been building with Pure Placid all along wasn’t just a business—it was an expression of my ikigai.
Find Your Ikigai: A Journaling Practice
This practice is gentle and revealing. Set aside 20–30 minutes, grab a journal, and explore these prompts. Don’t overthink—just write what feels true.
1. What do you love?
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What fills you with energy, peace, or joy?
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When was the last time you felt fully alive?
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What makes you lose track of time?
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What do you love learning, creating, or sharing?
2. What are you good at?
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What do others come to you for?
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What feels natural or easy for you?
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What skills have you gained through experience?
3. What does the world need?
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What breaks your heart—or lights a fire in you?
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Where is there a need for more love, healing, or calm?
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What kind of change would you love to be part of?
4. What can you be paid for?
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What do you offer that has real value?
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What could others invest in to feel supported or inspired?
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How could you turn what you love into something others want?
Bringing It All Together
Look over your answers.
What themes or words show up more than once?
Can you write a phrase or sentence that captures your ikigai?
Mine sounds like this:
“Helping people reduce stress and live more calm, intentional lives through scent, story, and meaningful experiences.”
Yours might be one word, a sentence, or a feeling. There’s no wrong way to express it.
Final Thoughts
Ikigai isn’t about finding the “right” job or title. It’s about reconnecting with yourself and creating a life that feels like you.
You don’t have to chase your purpose—you can uncover it gently, in the little moments:
☕ A morning ritual
🕯 Lighting a candle
🌿 A deep breath in nature
📓 A journal session
I hope this gives you permission to pause, reflect, and begin. You deserve a life rooted in calm, purpose, and joy.
A Reminder to Revisit Your Ikigai Often
Your ikigai isn’t something you figure out once and lock in forever. It evolves. As your life shifts, so will your answers. That’s why I revisit this practice often—especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or at a crossroads.
Each time I journal through the four elements, I discover something new. Or remember something old. Either way—it’s always a gift.
