Navigating the Bitter Spots of Ikigai

Clémentine Morvan
Jul 29
4 min read

When You Feel Stuck and How to Break Free

In the pursuit of living a purpose-driven life through Ikigai, we often encounter roadblocks — what I like to call the “bitter spots.” These are the places where, despite finding alignment between three of the four key elements of Ikigai, something still feels off. And it’s here, in these moments of dissonance, where we often get stuck and don't know how to move past these types of situations.

So, what happens when the pieces don’t quite fit? What do we do when we feel like we’re on the right path, but one essential element is missing?

Let’s explore the four bitter spots that often arise on the journey to discovering our Ikigai — and how we can move through them.

Navigating through the bitter spots of Ikigai

1. Delight Without Wealth

You’re doing what you love, you’re great at it, and it’s clear that what you offer is something the world truly needs. You feel fulfilled and joyful, but there’s a catch: financial security is still out of reach. Without the financial sustainability to support your lifestyle, it becomes incredibly challenging to keep going in the long term.

The challenge: You’re doing what lights you up, but you’re not able to monetise it effectively or make it sustainable.

The solution: It’s time to get strategic. Let’s work together to find ways to monetise your passions, create a business model that works for you, and enhance your skills so you can keep doing what you love without worrying about the finances. Whether it’s through additional training, diversifying your income, or finding your niche, we can create a roadmap that ensures you can continue offering your gifts to the world, while sustaining yourself.

2. Motivation with Uncertainty

When what you love, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for align, there’s often a sense of satisfaction and purpose. But lack of expertise or mastery in the field can lead to instability and doubt. You feel like you’re making a difference, but the uncertainty of not having fully developed skills can hold you back.

The challenge: While you feel motivated, there’s still a sense of uncertainty about whether your business or career is truly sustainable in the long run.

The solution: We need to identify the gaps in your skillset or expertise that are holding you back. Once we know where those missing pieces lie, we can start working on filling them with additional training, mentorship, or development in areas that will elevate your business to the next level. Confidence and clarity come from mastery — and that’s exactly what we can work on together.

3. Comfort with Emptiness

Imagine being in a position where your work is financially stable, fulfilling a need in the world, and you’re good at it, but there’s something missing. You lack the passion that makes your heart sing. The days feel comfortable, but they don’t feel fulfilling. This is where financial stability and the desire to serve others can meet with a sense of emptiness. You might feel like you’re stuck in a rut.

The challenge: You have comfort and security, but without passion, you can’t shake that nagging feeling of emptiness.

The solution: We need to tap into what truly excites and inspires you. What do you love? What are you passionate about, both personally and professionally? By identifying your core passions and integrating them into your work, we can help you create a life that’s not only financially fulfilling but emotionally rewarding too.

Reigniting your passion can bring the vibrancy back to your work and life.

4. Satisfaction Without Usefulness

In this bitter spot, you’ve achieved a level of accomplishment. You’re great at what you do, you’re making money, and you’ve found something that brings satisfaction. But despite your skills and success, there’s no sense of greater purpose or impact. You may feel like your work is disconnected from the world — it feels skilled, but not meaningful.

The challenge: You feel good about what you’ve achieved, but deep down, you want your work to make a difference.

The solution: Together, we can identify how your unique skills, passions, and expertise can contribute to what the world needs. Whether it’s giving back to the community, helping others with your talents, or creating a bigger impact, we can work on aligning your work with a deeper sense of purpose. By integrating your gifts with the world’s needs, you’ll feel more fulfilled and connected to your purpose.

Ready to Break Through the Bitter Spots?

Feeling stuck in one of these “bitter spots” is part of the journey — and you don’t have to go it alone. Whether you’re looking to monetise your passion, increase your business skills, find your missing pieces, or reignite your passion, I am here to guide you through these challenges.

By working together, we can navigate these transitions and find your true Ikigai — a life and career that brings you not only success, but also fulfilment and purpose.