The Art of Living: Finding Happiness Through Ikigai and Mindfulness
- Clémentine Morvan
- Aug 8
- 4 min read
What does it really mean to be happy?
For me, happiness isn’t found in grand, curated experiences or luxury holidays. It’s not about ticking off life milestones or collecting accolades. It’s not about expensive wine, beachfront villas, or immaculate interiors.
Happiness, real happiness, is found in simplicity. It’s found in doing what you love — peacefully, fully, and without needing anything more. It’s in those moments that feel almost invisible to the outside world, but internally, they bloom like magic.
The Beauty of Doing What You Love — in Peace
There’s something incredibly powerful in doing something you love — and doing it in peace. It’s not just about the act itself, whether it’s painting, reading, cooking, gardening, writing, or playing music. It’s about being completely immersed in it. It’s about losing track of time.
It’s about feeling lucky to be doing it. Content in the moment. At peace with the world.
When you experience that kind of stillness — where the mind isn’t pulling you into the future, or dragging you back into the past — it hits you: There is nothing else to do. Nowhere else to be. This is enough.
And for a few seconds… the world feels completely right.
The Wisdom of Ikigai and Ichi-go Ichi-e
The Japanese concept of Ikigai (生き甲斐) encourages us to find joy, purpose and meaning in our everyday lives. It sits at the intersection of what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. But for me, it's not always about career or productivity — sometimes it’s simply about doing something that gives your day meaning.
There’s also another Japanese saying I hold close to my heart: Ichigo Ichie (一期一会), which loosely translates as “one time, one meeting” — a reminder that every moment is unique and unrepeatable.
It’s about being fully present. It’s about noticing. It’s about understanding that this moment, right now, will never exist again in quite the same way.
Let Yourself Be Moved by Simplicity
I had one of those moments recently. I was sitting on a quiet beach with my husband. The sky was grey, a heavy cloud loomed over a distant mountain, and there were no crowds — it wasn’t the most picturesque scene. But he was building a sandcastle, completely absorbed, and I was reading a book that stirred something in me. And I felt… emotional. Because I realised: This moment is enough. This is life. This is joy. Not because it was perfect — but because I was there. I was present. I was content. I didn’t want more.
Why Not Everyone Feels Truly Happy
Here’s the truth: not everyone feels happy — and that’s not because they don’t deserve to be. It’s often because they haven’t yet discovered what makes them happy. Many of us are chasing the wrong things: external validation, people-pleasing, productivity for its own sake, or constantly trying to keep up with expectations that don’t belong to us. And we can’t really blame anyone for that — we’re not taught how to be still, or how to know ourselves. But when you live like that — always looking for the next thing, always adding to the to-do list, always needing to tidy this, book that, fix that — you miss the moment entirely. You miss the life right in front of you.
The Power of Flow State: What Makes You Lose Track of Time?
One of the most transformative questions you can ask yourself is this: When do I lose track of time?
This is what psychologists call a flow state — when you’re so immersed in an activity, it feels effortless. Time stretches. Everything else fades away. You feel alive. You feel you. To help discover your flow states and passions, I recommend starting a flow state journal:
Try This Each Evening For 1 Week:
Write down one activity you did that brought you joy.
Note when you felt focused, calm, or creatively engaged.
Ask: When did I feel most like myself today?
Maybe it was while cooking, walking, sketching, solving a problem, playing with your child, organising something, or singing. Whatever it was — try to do more of that. Even just a little. Make it a non-negotiable part of your life.
Mindfulness Isn’t a Trend — It’s a Way of Living
Mindfulness isn’t about being perfect or zen 24/7. It’s about living intentionally. It’s about coming back to now — over and over again.
Here are a few simple practices to cultivate mindfulness:
Journalling – Let your thoughts out. Reflect on your day.
Gratitude – Each night, write down three things you’re thankful for.
Affirmations – Remind yourself: I am allowed to enjoy my life.
Breathing breaks – Step outside. Feel the air. Look around. Pause.
These are not trends or quick fixes. They’re tools to help you come home to yourself.
Life Is Not a Race. It’s a Gift.
Every day matters. Not because we need to do more — but because life is fragile. Life is precious. And we never really know how many days we have left. There’s no point spending your life doing things you don’t love, or constantly pleasing others, or chasing ideals that don’t fulfil you. At some point, you must choose yourself.
Not in a selfish way — in a sacred way. Because your life belongs to you. Not to anyone else.
Final Thoughts
Start by asking yourself: What brings me joy? What activities make me feel alive?
Make those things part of your life. Not just once in a while, but regularly. Let yourself feel more. Do more of what you love — even if no one else understands it. Especially if it makes you feel present, peaceful, and content. You don’t need to change your whole life. You just need to return to yourself.
Enjoy your life, we have just this one x
With love,
Clementine
Founder of Elevated
Comments