Finding My Ikigai: A Journey From Corporate Life to Artistic Purpose

Ikigai, the Japanese concept that translates roughly to "reason for being," represents the sweet spot where passion, mission, profession, and vocation intersect. It's where what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for all come together to create a life of meaning and fulfillment.

At 38, I found myself at a crossroads. While successful as a Human Resources manager in a high-tech company, something within me yearned for a different path. My "hobby"—creating art through painting, sculpture, and ceramics—had always been my refuge, my joy, my silent passion. It whispered to me of possibilities beyond the corporate world.

Taking what many would consider a risk, I followed that whisper. I left the security of my established career to embrace my artistic calling and pursue studies in art conservation and restoration. What began as a leap of faith has blossomed into 37 years of profound purpose and satisfaction.

Today, my workshop offers "turnkey services" for art lovers from all walks of life. I help people care for treasured pieces they've collected or inherited, restore damaged artworks, and teach them how to maintain their collections. For fellow artists, I provide expertise on preserving their creations for generations to come. All while continuing to create diverse art myself.

What makes this path so fulfilling is that conservation and restoration require continuous learning. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to expand my knowledge—keeping my mind sharp, curious, and engaged. Each artwork that enters my studio is unique, demanding a personalized approach tailored specifically to its needs, materials, history, and condition. No two days are ever the same, and my work never devolves into something automatic or routine. This constant variety and intellectual stimulation is incredibly energizing and deeply satisfying.

My Ikigai manifests in these interconnected elements:

• What I love: Creating art and working with beautiful objects with historical and emotional significance
• What I'm good at: Artistic creation, restoration techniques, problem-solving, and sharing knowledge
• What the world needs: Preservation of artistic heritage and helping people connect more deeply with art
• What I can be paid for: Restoration services, art creation, and educational workshops

The joy I experience when helping someone restore a family heirloom, the satisfaction of teaching others to care for their treasures, the intellectual thrill of solving a complex restoration puzzle, and the creative fulfillment from my own artistic practice—these are the daily rewards of living within my Ikigai.

Thirty-seven years later, I still wake up eager to enter my workshop, hands ready to create, restore, and share. My journey reminds me that sometimes our deepest fulfillment lies not in the path we initially choose, but in having the courage to follow our true calling when it reveals itself.

In embracing my Ikigai, I didn't just change careers—I aligned my daily life with my soul's purpose. And in that alignment, I found not just work, but a life of meaning that continues to enrich both myself and others every day.