I recently stumbled upon the concept of Ikigai, a beautiful Japanese term that perfectly encapsulates how I feel about writing and making music. Ikigai blends “iki,” meaning “to live,” and “gai,” meaning “reason,” translating to “a reason to live.” It’s about discovering what truly matters to you and living a life filled with purpose and joy.
Early in my career, I almost took for granted the deep desire to sing and share my voice. In fact, there were times I wished that desire would simply fade away, allowing me to pursue something more mainstream and structured. But it never did. Instead, as I began writing my own music, that fire was only fueled further.
This past month has been incredibly productive. I wrote seven songs, and I can honestly say that recording one of the demos brought me immense elation. Not because I believe the song is a masterpiece destined to change the world, but because of the profound sense of purpose and accomplishment that comes from crafting something I love—something that didn’t exist before.
That feeling of creation, of bringing something new into the world, is truly special. I felt incredibly fortunate to experience it. These moments of certainty are so precious, particularly in a career that is, by its very nature, filled with uncertainty.
One of these new songs, in particular, surprised me. I’ve been exploring themes of anxiety, and I was able to express a level of acceptance about how my brain is wired that I hadn’t fully realized before. I’ve been writing the lyrics first, without a melody, and the words that flowed out were unexpectedly revealing. It’s a very vulnerable thing to put into a song, but also very freeing.
Ikigai reminds me that music isn’t just a career for me; it’s a fundamental part of who I am. It’s my reason to live, to create, and to share. And for that, I am deeply grateful.