{"id":2885,"date":"2021-05-20T17:52:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-20T17:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=2885"},"modified":"2025-05-08T11:47:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T19:47:16","slug":"seeking-balance-and-finding-your-ikigai-in-medical-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/seeking-balance-and-finding-your-ikigai-in-medical-school","title":{"rendered":"Seeking Balance and Finding Your Ikigai in Medical School"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In This Article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/seeking-balance-and-finding-your-ikigai-in-medical-school\/#The_art_of_living\" >The art of living<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/seeking-balance-and-finding-your-ikigai-in-medical-school\/#Arriving_at_your_ikigai\" >Arriving at your ikigai<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/seeking-balance-and-finding-your-ikigai-in-medical-school\/#Wabi-sabi\" >Wabi-sabi<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/seeking-balance-and-finding-your-ikigai-in-medical-school\/#Maoi\" >Maoi<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Where do you turn when you&#8217;re questioning whether you&#8217;re on the right path or not? For one med student\u2014Osmosis Medical Education Fellow Anam Sayed\u2014the Japanese concept,&nbsp;<\/em>ikigai<em>, helped her find her way. If you find yourself in a similar situation, read on to see if&nbsp;<\/em>ikigai<em>&nbsp;can be as powerful a force for you as it was for Anam.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cEveryone has an ikigai &#8211; a reason for living.\u201d &#8211; A Japanese proverb<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Ikigai<\/em>&nbsp;(pronounced \u201cee-key-guy\u201d) is a Japanese concept practiced among centenarians peacefully living out their lives on the island of Okinawa. Is their long life a result of a healthful diet, green tea, and a simple life? Or are we supposed to credit it to&nbsp;<em>shikuwasa<\/em>\u2014a lime-like fruit that brims with antioxidants\u2014or the purity of water that flows through their streams?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In my opinion, something other than these natural forces is at work: an easy and free-flowing joy experienced by Okinawa&#8217;s inhabitants that guides them through each day with unbridled happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_art_of_living\"><\/span>The art of living<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our&nbsp;<em>ikigai<\/em>&nbsp;resides deep within each of us and is the reason we get up in the morning.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While some of us have found it, others are still looking. If you aren\u2019t finding the sense of fulfillment from the path you have chosen for yourself, that is exactly the thing you may be missing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Due to our busy schedules as med students, we often tend to de-prioritize our hobbies and interests while single-mindedly working towards our future goals.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key to finding&nbsp;<em>ikigai<\/em>&nbsp;is to find the right balance between hobbies, interests, and your daily work life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/ikigai.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2887\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/ikigai.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/ikigai.png?resize=300,200 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Arriving_at_your_ikigai\"><\/span>Arriving at your ikigai<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I got into med school for mostly\u2014not all\u2014the wrong reasons. That played a huge role in the instability I would face later on. I found myself frustrated and felt something askew due to a reason I couldn&#8217;t quite put my finger on. I had begun to doubt whether medicine was the correct choice for me.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Was this what I wanted for myself?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A little while later while browsing Google (obviously) to find answers for this crisis I found myself in, I stumbled upon ikigai, the Japanese secret to a happy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Often at different points on our life\u2019s journey, we find ourselves asking questions like<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Am I doing this right?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What do I want to do with my life?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What do I want to achieve?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is it happiness I am after? Wealth? Both?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These questions can be boiled down to Passion, Mission, Profession, and Vocation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Ikigai<\/em>&nbsp;is the spot where all the answers of these questions come together. Each circle represents a question for which you need to dive deep and answer with complete honesty. It requires personal maturity and insight regarding your needs, traits, limitations, and desires. This process is important in order to apply the&nbsp;<em>ikigai<\/em>&nbsp;model to yourself in the best way possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These answers will help you fulfill your expectations from your life and increase your self-worth as a human. You will rediscover meaning in your daily turmoil. Your questions won\u2019t be answered completely\u2014just enough to guide you along life&#8217;s path gently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/ikigai-quot.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2888\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/ikigai-quot.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/ikigai-quot.png?resize=300,200 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wabi-sabi\"><\/span><em>Wabi-sabi<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Often, we blame ourselves in bad situations\u2014low grades, making mistakes during a presentation, making an incorrect diagnosis, and many other things.&nbsp;<em>Wabi-sabi<\/em>&nbsp;teaches us to look at the imperfections and appreciate them as &nbsp;opportunities for growth. In the process of striving to be perfect, we should accept mistakes and imperfections as there are certain things we have no control over.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key is&nbsp;<strong>resilience<\/strong>, the ability to persevere against setbacks without giving in to discouragement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Maoi\"><\/span><em>Maoi<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Maoi<\/em>&nbsp;are your group of friends\u2014childhood or, in my case, med school friends\u2014who have your back no matter what. They are always there to brighten your day, to support you when the going gets tough, to daydream with, and to be a steady source of happiness. It isn\u2019t just the superficial things but also the deep respect and support for one another that makes&nbsp;<em>m<\/em><em>aoi<\/em>&nbsp;so important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In conclusion, the meaning&nbsp;<em>ikigai<\/em>&nbsp;holds for all of us is different\u2014but you need to discover it deep within yourself. It provides a meaningful connection between you and what you do in your everyday life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no perfect strategy\u2014nor should you worry too much about finding one. All you need to remember is to keep it simple, take it slow, and stay in touch with your desires, needs, and passions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Live in the moment, and don\u2019t forget to follow your&nbsp;<em>i<\/em><em>kigai<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>About Anam<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Anam Sayed is a third year med student at&nbsp;<\/em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/iimsr.co.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Indian Institute of Medical Science and Research<\/a><\/em><em>&nbsp;in India and a current OMEF fellow. Born into a family of doctors, she grew up exploring hospitals, playing hide and seek with the hospital staff, and peeking into surgeries being performed. She plans to go into Emergency Medicine or a surgical field. Outside of medicine, she often hits the gym to burn off the calories from all the junk food and loves to go hiking on the weekends.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>_________________________<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/lets-get-visual-banner.png?w=700\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/lets-get-visual-banner.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/lets-get-visual-banner.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Try Osmosis today! Access your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/login?type=create\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free trial<\/a>&nbsp;and find out why millions of current and future clinicians and caregivers love learning with us.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Where do you turn when you&#8217;re questioning whether you&#8217;re on the right path or not? For one med student\u2014Osmosis Medical Education Fellow Anam Sayed\u2014the Japanese concept,&nbsp;ikigai, helped her find her way. If you find yourself in a similar situation, read on to see if&nbsp;ikigai&nbsp;can be as powerful a force for you as it was for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":2886,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,22,35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2885","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-medicine","category-health-and-wellness","category-osmosis-health-leadership-initiative-ohli"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Seeking Balance and Finding Your Ikigai in Medical School - Osmosis Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/seeking-balance-and-finding-your-ikigai-in-medical-school\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Seeking Balance and Finding Your Ikigai in Medical School - Osmosis Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Where do you turn when you&#8217;re questioning whether you&#8217;re on the right path or not? 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