What is a 'Little Ikigai'?
Little ikigai is one of two types of ikigai. It is the type that is easier to understand and figure out. That is because it is similar to a concept we already know today: mindfulness.
If you’ve ever felt joy just by making tea in the morning, walking barefoot on soft grass, or seeing someone smile because of something you did (and not caring if anyone noticed), you’ve experienced little ikigai. It’s small, it’s subtle, and it doesn’t ask for applause. It’s all about how these moments make you feel.
In Okinawa, the island where people live longer than almost anywhere else, little ikigai is everywhere. It’s in the slow simmer of soft pork, the gentle stretching of morning exercises, and the laughter shared with a neighbor. These tiny rituals, repeated day after day, stack up to something extraordinary. Longevity, health, and deep satisfaction don’t always come from chasing big goals...they come from appreciating the small ones.
Little ikigai doesn’t care about status, money, or recognition. It’s personal. It’s internal. It’s that little bubble of contentment you feel when you’re doing exactly what your heart wants, even if the world doesn’t see it. And yes, you can have dozens, even hundreds, of these little joys in a single day, if you pay attention.
Little ikigai is the Eastern perspective of ikigai. It is what some Japanese researchers describe as the small, daily joys unique to each of us. Some might assume that means the Western idea of ikigai (a grand life goal) is wrong. But after studying Okinawan longevity for ten years with the renowned Dr. Makoto Suzuki, we’ve found both perspectives are correct. You should have both big and little ikigai, working in harmony and balance. When one fades, the other can lift you back up.
While big ikigai reaches for the stars, Little Ikigai keeps you grounded in your own feet, your own heartbeat, your own tiny, perfect universe. Both matter. Both are valid. And together? They create a life that’s not just lived, but felt. Below are the 8 characteristics that define Little ikigai.
1. Time to Complete
Little ikigai are the small things that bring happiness all day, every day. They take a very short amount of time to finish, ranging from a few seconds to an hour or so.
2. How Often They Change
Little ikigai are flexible and can shift from day to day or week to week. Unlike Big Ikigai, they don’t require long-term planning or intense focus. It adapts to your life, energy levels, and circumstances. However, it is unlikely that most of them will change throughout your life. If you love smelling flowers at the age of 20, you will likely still love doing that at the age of 100.
3. How Many You Should Have
You can have as many little ikigai as you want! I recommend at least 100+, this way you have plenty of fuel to keep you going throughout each day. If you only have a few right now, don't worry. They are something that, once you are aware of, you can brainstorm and practice to increase the number.
4. Type of Ikigai
Little ikigai are intrinsic, meaning they come from internal satisfaction rather than external recognition. It’s about how these small acts make you feel, not about making an impact on the 3D world or achieving material results.
5. Relatability
Little ikigai often overlap among people and can be shared with others. Enjoying a hobby with friends, laughing with family, or exchanging kind words all create shared joy. This is why little ikigai often strengthens bonds and builds community.
6. Difficulty Level
Little ikigai are easy to figure out with a little bit of effort. You don’t need extensive testing or trials; sometimes, just noticing what makes you smile or feel content is enough to identify your little ikigai.
7. Perspective
Little ikigai align with the Eastern view of ikigai. They emphasize mindfulness, presence, and the appreciation of everyday life. Many of their characteristics are similar to Buddhist principles. Especially in a culture like Okinawa’s, the island of longevity, it’s the subtle, daily practices that sustain the well-being and long life of the island’s people.
8. Amount of Effort Required
Little ikigai require less effort than big ikigai but can be equally powerful in its impact on your life satisfaction. While big ikigai demands focus and determination, little ikigai thrive in small, intentional, and repeated actions.
Do you know what your little ikigai are? Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media to learn how to find your ikigai, what to do when you are stuck, and help others find theirs.
Yutashiku,
Christal
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christal Burnette, an independent researcher who has spent over a decade studying Okinawan longevity and ikigai, coined the term “Little Ikigai” to describe and distinguish the Eastern framework of ikigai from the globally popular Western interpretation.