An Ikigai-Based Decision Journal: A Framework for Meaning-Oriented Life Design in an Age of Uncertainty

Abstract In contemporary societies characterised by uncertainty, complexity, and an abundance of options, individuals face increasing difficulty in making coherent and meaningful decisions about their lives. Career, relationships, place of living, health, and social contribution are no longer relatively stable trajectories but fields of constant negotiation. The Japanese concept of Ikigai is often translated as a “reason for being” and represented in popular culture as the intersection of four domains: what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. However, this model is frequently reduced to the narrow context of career planning and remains at the level of an inspirational visual. This article aims to reconceptualise Ikigai as a general life design and decision-making framework, not limited to professional orientation. First, it presents the cultural roots of Ikigai and discusses the meaning of its four components. These components are then reinterpreted as dimensions of love/interest, skills/potential, contribution/need, and sustainability. The article proposes a four-question “Ikigai filter” that individuals can apply across multiple life domains, including career, relationships, place of living, health and self-care, volunteering, and creative pursuits. Based on this filter, it develops the idea of an “Ikigai decision journal” which systematically records decision-related reflections and is illustrated through several scenarios.