Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life / The Little Book of Lykke / Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living by Hector Garcia Puigcerver

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life / The Little Book of Lykke / Lagom: The Swedish Art of Balanced Living Reviews

• 
  Wei Hao

  Some notes I have taken:
  
  1. Fill your belly to 80% - Hara hachi bu p14
  2. Form close bonds within local communities- Moai p15
  3. A sound mind in a sound body - mens sans in corpore sano p20
  4. Learn something new everyday, play games and interact with other people p22
  5. Practise mindfulness through focusing on the self and meditation p26
  6. Replace junk food with fruits
  7. Get 7-9 hours of sleep everyday
  8. Play with children or pets p29
  9. A positive attitude & emotional awareness (ability to manage emotions)
  10. Serenity in the face of a setback p31
  11. Humour can break negative cycles and reduce anxiety p42
  12. We all have the capacity to do noble or terrible things. The side of the equation we end up on depends on our decisions, not on the conditions in which we find ourselves p42
  13. In feelings, it is best to be wealthy and generous p47
  14. Morita therapy: 1) Accept your feelings, 2) Do what you should be doing, 3) Discover your life’s purpose p47
  15. Naikan meditation: Ask yourself (i) What have I received from person X? (ii) What have I given to person X? (iii) What problems have I caused person X? p50
  16. Seven conditions for achieving flow p58
  i) Knowing what to do
  ii) Knowing how to do it
  iii) Knowing how well you are doing
  iv) Knowing where to go (where navigation is involved)
  v) Perceiving significant challenges
  vi) Perceiving significant skills
  vii) Being free from distractions
  
  17. Flow strategies: 1) Choose a challenging task (but not too difficult!) 2) Have clear and concrete objectives and focus on the process 3) Concentrate on a single task by being in a distraction-free environment & having control over what we are doing at every moment p58-70
  18. Happiness is in the doing, not in the result p85
  19. The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for p111
  20. Don’t worry, open your heart to people with a nice smile on your face, go out in the street and say hello to people p112
  21. Talking each day with the people you love, that’s the secret to a long life p115
  22. Always staying busy, but doing one thing at a time, without getting overwhelmed p116
  23. Hara hachi bu: Stop eating when you notice you’re almost full but could have a little more p125
  24. It’s not what happens to you, but how you react that matters p169
  25. Being aware of the impermanence of things does not have to make us sad; it should help us love the present moment and those who surround us p171
  26. Ichi-go ichi-e - this moment exists only now and won’t come again. We should enjoy the moment and not lose ourselves in worries about the past or the future p172
  27. Focus on the present and enjoy each moment that life brings us p173
  28. Wabi-sabi - appreciate the beauty of imperfection as an opportunity for growth p173
  29. Antifragility - things that get stronger when they are harmed p174
  30. How to be antifragile: 1) Create more options 2) Bet conservatively in certain areas and take many small risks in others 3) Get rid of the things that make you fragile p176
  31. Happiness is always determined by your heart p182
  32. Life is not a problem to be solved. Just remember to have something that keeps you busy doing what you love while being surrounded by the people who love you p183
  33. Ten rules of ikigai
  i) Stay active; don’t retire
  ii) Take it slow
  iii) Don’t fill your stomach
  iv) Surround yourself with good friends
  v) Get in shape for your next birthday
  vi) Smile
  vii) Reconnect with nature
  viii) Give thanks
  ix) Live in the moment
  x) Follow your ikigai
• 
  Shailaja

  If ever there was a book to help you step back, slow down and contemplate on the meaning of life, this would be it. The pace is unhurried and that is exactly how you should read the book. Not in a single sitting but over a week or ten days. Savour each chapter, make notes, write things down when they touch a chord. Ikigai helps you understand so many beautiful things in the sheer simplicity in which it's conveyed. In an increasingly cynical world, we all need ikigai.
• 
  Heena

  Seems like the writers were not in the "flow" while writing this one. It seemed like a very superficial and incoherent attempt in trying to figure something out, which eventually they don't.
• 
  Tanu

  "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way."
  
  In this book, the term ikigai is translated as the bliss of always being busy. Ikigai is actually a combination of your passion, your mission and your profession. This book answers some basic questions as to why some people keep doing what they have been doing for years tirelessly even though it's the same things over and over again, say, actors, writers, bloggers, artists and so on. Why do some people never get bored or frustrated repeating doing the same things over and over again?
  
  Now, I know this book is overhyped and a lot of us have high expectations from it. While I think the book is more about answering the basic question which we most of the time overlook. Also, it provides a ten-point compressed rule of ikigai:
  
  1. Stay active; don’t retire.
  2. Take it slow.
  3. Don’t fill your stomach.
  4. Surround yourself with good friends.
  5. Get in shape for your next birthday.
  6. Smile
  7. Reconnect with nature.
  8. Give thanks.
  9. Live in the moment.
  10. Follow your ikigai.
  
  
  Overall, this book is truly uplifting. I was intrigued by the simplicity and calming tone it offers, and it captured my attention till the end. The book unleashes the Japanese Zen philosophy, inspiring the readers to search and discover.
  
  Grab your copy
  here.
• 
  Jonas

  I don’t think the writers are comprehensive enough to grasp the core philosophy in “Ikigai”. Even they’ve done their research, the overall insights are shallow and subjective. I found it frustrating to read after the first chapter. I basically skipped through the whole book. The book is more about their own understanding and commentaries on “what Ikigai is”. If you are new to Ikigai, looking for a decent intro to it, this is definitely not your book.
• 
  Manoj Arora

  I, hereby, list down the 26 inspirational lessons that i learnt from this awesome book. I know that I need to keep practicing these learning day in and day out. These learning are worded and appended in a way that makes it easier for most of us to understand and absorb...
  
  Thought Provoking Life Lessons from the Book
  1/ A wise person should not ignore life's pleasures, but should always remain conscious of how easy it is to be enslaved by them. You have to be prepared for those pleasures disappearing in no time.
  2/ Present is all that exists, and is the only thing that we can control.
  3/ Things that we love are like the leaves of a tree. They can fall any moment with a gust of wind. Everything that we have, and everyone we love will disappear at some point. We have to be mindful of this, without being pessimistic about it. It should help us love the present moment and those who surround us in this moment. Keeping this in mind helps helps us avoid excessive pain in times of loss.
  4/ There is no perfect strategy to connecting with our Ikigai. Don't worry too much about finding it. Life is not a problem to be solved. Just be busy with what you love, at the same time being surrounded by people who love you.
  5/ We don't create the meaning of our life, we discover it.
  6/ We each have a unique reason for being, which can be adjusted or transformed many times over the years.
  
  Daily Health Habits - Secrets to long life from Super centenarians (110+ age)
  Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world. Okinawa has the highest life expectancy in Japan, and it is remarkable considering the fact that it was one of the worst affected provinces after WW/II.
  1/ Japanese stop eating when their stomachs are 80% full.
  2/ Just like exercising for the body is important, exercising for brain is also important. Otherwise, it can stagnate and go out of shape. In fact, the brain needs a lot more stimulation to stay in shape. As you get habitual of things, the brain develops neuronic bridges that can do things automatically for you, just like learning to drive a car. When this happens, it doesn't need to think anymore, unless it confronts with new information. It is like a person just eating and doing no exercise. That is why it is so important to expose yourself to change, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone and feeling anxious. Dealing with new situations, learning something new everyday, playing games, and interacting with others seem to be effective anti aging strategies for mind.
  3/ Stress is a proven killer. So, while challenges are good for keeping mind and body active, we should adjust our high stress life styles to avoid premature ageing.
  4/ While sustained, intense stress is a known enemy, low levels of intermediate stress have been shown to be beneficial. People who maintained low levels of stress, faced challenges and put their soul into their work lived longer than those who chose a more relaxed lifestyle. Financial Freedom gives you an opportunity, not to retire and relax, but to burn yourself in things that you love doing.
  5/ Relax. Slow down a little. Eat and Sleep well. Everything is fine. Life is a marathon, not a 100 m sprint.
  6/ Keep your mind and body busy.
  7/ People with clear purpose never retire and continue in their area of passion till their last breath.
  8/ If you want to stay busy (one secret to longevity) when there's no need to work, there has to be an Ikigai on your horizon, a purpose that guides you throughout your life and pushes you to make things of beauty and utility for the community and yourself.
  9/ Smile. Say hello to people.
  10/ Work very hard, but on your ikigai. Working hard doesn't mean you have to take it too seriously. Effort is important, not the result. You have to enjoy what you do.
  11/ Spend your morning in your vegetable garden. 100% of interviewed super centenarians kept a vegetable garden.
  12/ Do many different things every day. Always stay busy, but do one thing at a time without getting overwhelmed. Not even one of the interviewed person was ever seen doing nothing.
  13/ Celebrate little things.
  14/ People who live the longest are not the ones who do most exercises but the ones who move the most. Metabolism slows down 90% after 30 minutes of sitting. After 2 hours, good cholesterol drops 20%. Just getting up for 5 minutes is going to get things moving.
  
  Eating Habits - Secrets to long life from Super centenarians (110+ age)
  1/ Eat a bit of everything. Variety is key. Eat a wide variety of foods, especially vegetables
  2/ Okinawa people rarely eat sugar, and even if they have to, its cane sugar. No sweets or chocolates.
  3/ They have extremely low salt intakes. - less than 10 g of salt per day.
  4/ Eat less than you feel the urge for. This saves significant energy consumed in digestion. Even more efficient is the 5:2 diet, means eat regular for 5 days and fast for 2 days. This allows the digestive system some rest as well.
  5/ Jasmine tea (green tea with jasmine) or white tea is the best for reducing blood cholesterol levels and fights free radicals.
  6/ Eat lot of citrus fruits. They have chemicals which prevent cancer, diabetes and obesity.
  
  Interesting Discoveries from the book
  1/ Wabi Sabi
  It is a Japanese concept that shows us the beauty of fleeting, changeable and imperfect nature of the world around us. Beauty can be found in things that are flawed and incomplete. In fact, the Japanese believe that such things resemble the natural world more closely and hence must be valued. It is quite opposite to the western way of thinking which strives for perfection in everything.
  2/ Ichi-go ichi-e
  It is another Japanese concept which can be translated as 'This moment exists only now and won't come again'. A deeper understanding and appreciation of every moment can help us lead a happier life.
  3/ Anti-fragility
  Fragile gets weakened when harmed. Resilient or robust resist the shock and stay the same. Anti fragile gets better when harmed. Fighting for financial freedom adds anti fragility to your financial life. By adopting an anti fragile attitude, we start to love setbacks, because each setback is an opportunity to grow. We find a way to get stronger with every blow, staying focused on our ikigai.
  4/ Logo therapy
  This was popularised by Victor Frankl and it essentially is a philosophy which helps you find reasons to live. He believed that everything can be taken from a human but one thing - the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given situation
  5/ Flow
  It is a state in which one is so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter. The experience itself is so enjoyable that people would do it for the sheer sake of doing it.
  To achieve flow: a) Choose a moderately difficult task, b) Have a clear objective, c) Concentrate on a single task at a time.
  Human brain cannot multi task. We feel we can do so but what is actually happening is that we are switching between many tasks very frequently. This drains energy.
• 
  Nicole

  I was hoping this book would focus on ways to actually discover your Ikigai, but it didn't.
• 
  Tan Markovic

  A really interesting little read. Has given me ideas of lots of other things I want to explore this year.
• 
  Karan

  I found absolutely nothing new or insightful in this book. A very poor and superficial attempt at trying to figure out what it claims to figure out. Eventually I had to just skip through the pages just to mark it as read.
• 
  Supriya Saran

  If you are looking for some great revelation after reading this one … its not coming! I picked up this book not because it was highly recommended; held a pride of place at the local bookstore or had a cover that I just fell in love with and had to have, but because I needed that joy and meaning in my life right now (it has been a tough year) that the book blurb spoke of. As mentioned there were no revelations, there is nothing there that we don’t already know! No, we probably know but don’t follow! I know green tea is good for me, but I just don’t have it. (even though I have enough of them bought and stocked at home)
  
  I would say that book was like a reminder for me, reiterating all that I already know to be good for me. Things that one just takes for granted and moves on ... the green tea being one case in point.
  
  The authors take us on a journey to Okinawa and ‘the village of longevity’ and you wonder ‘is it really that simple?’ Yes, that is what it precisely is, simple. There are quotes and interviews with centenarians who lead a simple live, eat simple food, are social and friendly, sleep the requisite amount of hours, keep busy and moving and yes, drink that awful tasting green tea!!
  So you take away all of that and wonder that you are already doing all of that, aren’t you? But are you? Simple suggestions like not picking up your phone for an hour before you sleep and wake up are some of the things that one never even thought one was doing unconsciously - I know I have to reduce screen time, but have I done it?
  
  It gets a bit technical at times, with all the referencing and counter referencing articles and theories related to the subject, but if you do manage to trudge along (like I did) you will be able to glean some of the gems along the way, and come to think of it, like me, you may want to go for a second reading just to highlight some portions that are worth emulating.
  
  Now let me go make myself a cup of that green tea. :)
  
  
  
• 
  Hamad

  “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react that matters.”

  
  
  I am going to keep this review short as it was a short book and I don't have much to say! I came across this book from as add of the audiobook and I was interested! I was always fascinated by Japanese people and their culture so a book about their secrets to long life should be interesting I thought and I picked it up.
  
  The book is short and it consists of many short chapters. The book starts by defining the Ikigai which is the thing that makes life worth living and make us flow. I have to admit that the timing was good for me as I was losing this desire to go on and this book reminded me of some of the basics.
  
  The book also mentions a lot of centenarian and their secrets to life. Most of the things mentioned are things that make sense and I already knew from documentaries, books, medicine or real people! There is a great review here at Goodreads that summarize the book well and I am linking it
  here!!
  
• 
  Niels Philbert

  The idea of the book is good. I can understand the appeal. And the idea of ikigai is also good in a common sense kind of way.
  
  The structure is a bit of a mess though. It surfs above some areas and goes into so much detail in others, that it hurts the flow of the reading.
  
  The book does not succeed in providing more than observations around behaviour and seems to jump feet first into the "correlation equals causality"-trap. It's not a guide og help to living in the modern world and was more "move to a cabin in the woods with friends" approach.
  
  I missed more critically thinking around the effect of genes in picking out specific geographical areas and concluding that is must be the food and attitude, that makes this population live longer and happier.
  
  
  The Stress Solution: The 4 Steps to Reset Your Body, Mind, Relationships and Purpose is a better and more concrete book. Less philosophical and fluffy.
• 
  Divya Darshani

  Ikigai completed. Rest two are in 'to-read' list. It was an excellent read! But it so hard to stick to good habitual routine. The term 'Ikigai' is explained in various ways as the reason why you get out of bed in the morning.
  
  Things I learned from this book:
  There are certain things in life we can't change no matter how hard we try so it is better not to fear about it, and if something that ruining your life then try to stay away from those factors.
  Stop regretting the past and fearing the future. Today is all you have. Make the most of it. Make it worth remembering. Stay active. Don't retire. Take it slow. Get in shape. Live in the moment. Reconnect with nature. Smile. Surround yourself with good friends. Give thanks. Follow your Ikigai(if you have found it).
  
  
  
  Apart from just reading it, try to follow and implement the routines and advices given in the book to your life.
  
  More than anything else may you succeed to find your Ikigai soon.😊
• 
  Udit Miglani

  My second attempt was more successful than my first- I actually made it to page 65 before succumbing to the pressure of throwing it away, again.
  The only takeaway is how to market a book- fancy cover, have exotic "ancient Japanese wisdom" (attributed to a anything that's not objectively defensible), and a very superficial explanation of stuff like Logotherapy...and that's not the only concept discussed here which needs to be understood from a different source.
  If you want to be nannied into being told to sleep better, eat better (somehow to objectively figure out how to fill only 80% of your stomach, never mind what you eat), don't take stress and somehow find your purpose in life (all in the span of 15 minutes of reading), go for it.
• 
  Ajith Ashokkumar (WordShaker)

  Most of the world's centenarians lives in Japan and they help us to understand some of the keys to longevity- proper diet, exercise, building good relationships and most importantly Ikigai - to find the ultimate goal of our life and work harder to achieve that.
  This book says, "whatever you do, don't retire". It tells to keep us engaged in our activities irrespective of our age. To live 70, 80 years or more is not that important. The important thing is how happy we are with our lives in each and every moment we live in this world.
  Ikigai - "The happiness of always being busy, the art of staying young while growing old".
• 
  K

  This was the most disappointing read.
  Very slow & there was nothing inspiring.
  
  Too dull , too boring.
• 
  Katie ♡

  “Life is not a problem to be solved. Just remember to have something that keeps you busy doing what you love while being surrounded by the people who love you.”
  
  Finished this one in two sittings and wow, what a book. Where shall I start?
  
  I was introduced to the concept of ikigainot so long ago, and yet reading this book certainly helps clarify the notion out. At first, I was torn between rating the book with 3 or 4 stars, however, as I gradually came towards the end, there are some great offered insights which I think can be helpful to the readers, myself included. This futher urged me to make up my mind and round the rating up to a deserving four stars, despite my usual critical (and often messy) strings of thought.
  
  Some positive aspects I can certainly point out from the book is that it provides some interesting input from the people who are considered the master of ikigai, being able to lead a long and generally content life. As you read on, you will have a chance to absorb their advice and learn from, as well as apply their life experiences wherever you see fit. For me, it is the concept of resilience, and how we handle any challenges and focus on the meaning or purpose we give to our lives.
  
  “Nana korobi ya oki 七転び八起き
  Fall seven times, rise eight.
  —Japanese proverb
  
  Resilience is our ability to deal with setbacks. The more resilient we are, the easier it will be to pick ourselves up and get back to what gives meaning to our lives.”
  
  The book also touches upon some well-known inceptions of Buddism, Stocism or Cynicism, with which I highly recommend you read and figure out for yourself which ideologies you mostly reasonate.
  
  The only setback I would like to mention is perhaps the beginning of the book, since I find the writing to be a bit dry and plainly informational content. Certainly, the authors can provide a neutral take on the concept, yet from my personal perspective, adding more of a nuance from their own opinions would be worth reading as well.
  
  Overall, I am glad to have picked up this book, for it challenged my brain to reflect and contemplate certain ideas I have had with my own life experiences so far.
  Why do I suddenly sound like a 90-year-old now... But hey, in this sense, that can be a good thing, can it?
  
  And according to the book, keeping one's mind busy is one of the useful methods to a long life, so hopefully I am starting to head in the right direction?
• 
  Mai Mohamed

  الغلاف لطيف ومريح 😌
  الكتاب غاية في الجمال والسلاسه كأني دخلت ف فترة زمنية من الاستراحة والهدوء، كأني روحت اليابان وجيت تاني منتعشة كده 😍
  ارشحه جدا، قرأته بالانجليزيه، لغته سهلة ✨
• 
  Musharrat Zahin

  এই বইয়ে কীভাবে একটা সুন্দর দীর্ঘ জীবন লাভ করা যায়, সেই কথা বলা হয়েছে৷ গুগলে Ikigai লিখে সার্চ দিলে অনেক ধরণের অর্থ পাওয়া যায়। যেমন: সকালবেলা ঘুম থেকে বিছানা ছেড়ে ওঠাই হলো আপনার বেঁচে থাকার অন্যতম কারণ। আপনার যদি কিছু না করারই থাকতো, তাহলে আপনি কখনোই বিছানা ছেড়ে উঠতেন না৷
  ইকিগাই অর্থই হলো বেঁচে থাকার কারণ। আপনি কেন এখনো বেঁচে আছেন, তা খুঁজে বের করুন। এরপর বের করুন কোন কোন কাজ করতে আপনার অনেক ভালো লাগে। এরপর বের করুন কোন কোন কাজের জন্য আপনি অর্থ উপার্জন করতে পারবেন এবং কোনধরণের কাজ করার মাধ্যমে আপনি পৃথিবীকে কিছু দিয়ে যেতে পারবেন।
  এই বইটার মধ্যে জাপানের একটা ছোট্ট দ্বীপের কথা বহুবার উল্লেখ করা হয়েছে, যার নাম 'ওকিনাওয়া'। এইটা জাপানের দক্ষিণ দিকে অবস্থিত একটা দ্বীপ, যে দ্বীপের মানুষের গড় আয়ু অন্যান্য যেকোনো দেশের তুলনায় অনেক বেশি৷ দ্বীপে প্রায় ১৫ লক্ষ মানুষ বসবাস করে, আর তাদের মধ্যে ৪০০ জনের বয়স ১০০+! বইটার ভেতর ৫টি 'ব্লু জোন' নিয়ে কিছু কথা বলা হয়েছে, যেখানকার মানুষেরা সাধারণত তাদের গড় আয়ুর তুলনায় বেশি দিন সুখে-শান্তিতে বেঁচে থাকে।
  বইয়ের দুই লেখক জাপানের প্রবীণ বাসিন্দাদের উপর গবেষণা চালিয়ে জানার চেষ্টা করেছেন তাদের খাদ্যাভ্যাস সম্পর্কে, নিজেদের সবল রাখার জন্য তারা কী কী করেন, কীভাবে দুশ্চিন্তা মুক্ত থাকেন, তাদের সামাজিক জীবন কেমন ইত্যাদি ইত্যাদি৷
  বইয়ের এক জায়গায় জিজ্ঞেস করা হয়েছে, "কেন তুমি এখনো আত্মহত্যা করোনি?" বেশ অদ্ভুত একটা প্রশ্ন, কিন্তু এই প্রশ্নটা কিন্তু বেশ গভীর৷ এই প্রশ্নের উত্তর দেওয়ার জন্য আপনাকে চিন্তা করতে হবে যে কী কী কারণে আপনি এখনো বেঁচে আছেন, আপনার জীবনে কী কী কারণে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ। ইকিগাইয়ের সবচেয়ে মজার ব্যাপার হলো আপনি যদি একবার আপনার ইকিগাই খুঁজে পান, তাহলে কখনো থেমে যাওয়ার ইচ্ছে করবে না। জাপানে একটা বেশ পুরানো কথা হচ্ছে 'hara hachi bu'। এর অর্থ হলো ৮০% পেট ভরা পর্যন্ত খেতে থাকো। জাপানের বৃদ্ধরা কখনো অতিরিক্ত খান না, আবার কমও খান না। বইয়ে 'moai' বলে একটা শব্দ আছে৷ এই শব্দটা দিয়ে সবারই একই জিনিসের প্রতি আগ্রহ আছে, এমন একটা দলকে বোঝায়৷ তারা সবসময় একে-অপরকে সাহায্য করে, তা যেকোনো প্রয়োজনেই হোক না কেন।
  বইয়ের শুরু ও শেষের দিকে বেশকিছু ভালো ভালো এডভাইসও ছিল। বইয়ের বেশ বড় একটা অংশজুড়ে কী করে ভালো থাকা যায়, তা নিয়ে আলোচনা করা হয়েছে৷ বইটা বেশ ছোট আর ইজিলি পড়া যায়। বইয়ে আরো অনেক কিছু, সব বলতে গেলে অনেক বড় হয়ে যাবে৷ এর চেয়ে ভালো হয় নিজেরাই একটু পড়ে নিন!
• 
  Muhammad Abdullah

  Bring meaning and joy to every day with ikigai.
  
  IKIGAI is a distinguish read for me. I learn a lot of things from this book. This book is about the life and culture of the people living at Okinawa island in Japan. This island is famous for the longevity of its people. There are almost 22.55 people over the age of 100 for every 100,000 inhabitants—which is far more the the global average.
  
  This book is categorized into NINE short chapters, each with its unique and profound nature. In these chapters, the author very intelligently describe the secret of longevity along with the diet, culture, jobs, living styles and hobbies of the Super-Centurions of the Okinawa island. A little section deals with the interviews of these amazing people with 100+ age.
  
  The people in Japan believe that everyone has an ikigai - a reason to jump out of bed each morning.
  
  
  The book further tells the exercises and techniques these long living and happiest people used in their daily routines/tasks to keep them stay active for a long time even in very old age. Now, I will share the TEN rules of ikigai which is described in the book are:
  
  1. Stay active, don't retire
  2. Take it slow
  3. Don't fill your stomach
  4. Surround yourself with good friends
  5. Get in shape for your next birthday
  6. Smile
  7. Reconnect with nature
  8. Give thanks
  9. Live in the moment
  10. Follow your ikigai
  
  I enjoy this book a lot. I concluded this with the famous Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr which is mentioned in the book:
  
  

  God, give us grace to accept with serenity
  the things that cannot be changed,
  
  Courage to change the things
  which should be changed,
  
  and the Wisdom to distinguish
  the one from the other.

  
  
  Highly recommended.
• 
  Ishma

  + Learned about Ogimi, its interesting people and their lifestyle.
  - Another book that could have been condensed into a 4 pager, bulleted article.
  
  Overrated by readers, loosely edited, boringly repetitive.
• 
  Ian M. Pyatt

  This is an average of all three books - and no, each book did not receive one star (Closer to 4 stars for Ikigai, and 1/2 stars each for Lagom & Hygge.
  
  My general review is that each book offers tips and suggestions on how to cope if one is struggling with various mental health issues and how to overcome and/or change them; something that you can find in most any other book dealing with this subject matter; eating healthy, staying active, proper sleep, socializing, work/life balance, etc.
  
  LAGOM: The Swedish Art of a Balanced Life and HYGGE: The Danish Way To Live Well. In addition to the above paragraph the authors of both books have sections on Fashion and Interior Design and my reading of those chapters it seems like they are indicating that if one's wardrobe is fashion-forward and your living space has very chic and "sleek lined" furniture that both functional and stylish, you'll be in a good mindset. Okay, I agree to a point, but my fashion consists of Denver Hayes and/or Dockers for clothing and I've been decluttering for a while now, so there's not much need for fancy furniture. If I'm comfortable with what I have, I'm happy!
  
  IKIGAI: The Japanese Secret To A Long and Happy Life: Just so much better with more helpful hints and suggestions than those in my first paragraph. The best chapter was interviews with a number of Japanese citizens from this little village who were over 100 years old and were asked why they had lived for so long (exercise, healthy eating and socializing). Other chapters including how to find "your flow", finding a purpose in your life, traditional proverbs, exercises from the East; such as Yoga & Tai Chi (and included drawings and instructions) and Breathing. I'm not sure I want to use the word "ZEN" for a comment on this book, but this book seemed to put me in a different mind-set then the other two. This specific book is a keeper for me to refer back and forth to at times when it is needed. And, the other day I was watching one of Jamie Oliver's cooking shows and he was in a small Japanese village talking to a few citizens that were over 100 & they were cooking a meal that features some meats, fish and "tons" of veggies and then (as he said) a special guest joined them and this person was the great-great granddaughter of one of the villagers; and then everyone sat on the floor around this large table and sat down and at their meal - how neat is that?
  
  Please note that all 3 books were written before COVID and each book suggested one of the best socializing things to do was to have dinner parties, but obviously that couldn't happen then, but hopefully people are getting back to doing this.
  
  Many thanks to those taking time to read my lengthy review and my recommendation would be to read (purchase) IKIGAI over the others. Hopefully if/when you do, you'll feel the same about it.
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  Kaumal

  A positive little book about the way of a certain Japanese people who live beyond the age of 100.
  
  This book gives advice on how we can adapt our lives to live longer, which I am very skeptical about. Yes, we can improve how we exercise, eat and work to some extent, but this is very much in certain socio-economic areas. The rest is down to genetics and environment, which many people cannot do a lot about. By telling us to follow certain advice, it doesn't mean we will live to be centerians.
  
  Another issue is that quite a few of the examples of healthy living are taken from other parts of the world and not Japan itself.
  
  Nevertheless - an easy Sunday read!
• 
  M☆♡ Khan

  Its about Japan and Japanese way of living. Telling the world why according to statistics they live to be more than 100 years old and yet be healthy.
  I liked a few chapters, more like 50-60% of the book to which I would happily give 5 stars, explaining how to live a fulfilling life.
  But the rest is just food and yoga and how to cross 100 years, it became a little boring.
• 
  Sara Rastakhiz

  کتاب خوبی بود نکات آموزنده خوبی داشت و واقعا چیزای مهمی رو میشه ازش یاد گرفت یعنی در واقع بیشتر چیزهای خیلی مهمی رو یادآوری میکنه صرف نظر از قضیه عمر طولانی و این چیزا. من بهش گوش دادم. مختصر هم بود و خیلی کشش نداده بود. در کل راضی بودم.
• 
  Hilary

  How annoying, why are three very different books in one place? Just read Ikigai and quite enjoyed it and was about to review but can only rate and review for these three books which includes the Hygge book which I found awful. Will rate and review when this has it's own entry.
• 
  LibroReview

  I personally believe that having a purpose on in life and then giving it your all is the most important to lead a happy life. This book validates so.
  
  Ikigai is a short but not very short book based on a Japanese concept. According to this concept, we find the deeply sown purpose of our lives from within ourselves by defining our passion, mission, vocation and profession. It gives you tips as to how the simplest things in our life, like sometimes, taking a pause, are what will give us a long and happy life.
  
  I bought a hardcover because of it’s extremely pretty cover. The cover itself will soothe your mind whenever you look at it. The title does go with the book but personally for me, not as I thought it would.
  
  If you are expecting it to help you find your Ikigai, give you step by step solution as to how you can find it and reward it with millions of dollars, you’ll be disappointed. This book is full of facts, real life experience from Japan’s Okinawa and compels you to focus more on you : your health, your choices, your focus and your inner happiness. It will probably be the only book you’ll come across that tells you to take it, relax, but also burn in your passion.
  
  The language is as simplistic and beautiful as the cover and it’s content. Not many tough words and very beginner-friendly in the reading world. The structure to is great with a prologue, 9 chapters, an epilogue and a list of more suggestions for you to explore in the end.
  
  Coming to the overall feel of the book, it’s very cozy. In it’s own way, it also does help you slightly to find your own Ikigai.
  
  I thought it would be a full on hustle kind of book but I felt relaxed after this read. I was ready to take on my tasks stress-free. Though it is not something extremely crazy and different, it definitely is a one-time read for all the hustlers or non-hustlers out there who think they have to punish themselves to get what they want.
• 
  TS

  This book is a paperback version of my mother's dos and don'ts list (which I conveniently ignore) - exercise, less salt, lesser sugar, more fruits, don't over-eat, put the phone down, talk to people. This review is basically me saying - Mom, I concede.
  
  However, if unlike the book, longevity isn't on your agenda then please go ahead with your childhood dream of stocking the house with pizza (or other junk equivalent of choice) and eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner while lying down on your favorite couch.