In Japan, there’s a concept called ikigai (生き甲斐) which speaks to living a life filled with purpose. Very often, when Westerners talk about finding your purpose, we talk about work, but ikigai is more than that. It’s finding your place in the world. This weekend, spend some time reflecting on where your time is spent and why.

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Anytime we step into the unknown, it’s uncomfortable. But there are probably people who have walked a similar path before. Look to them for guidance. 

HiberNation is hosted by Mallika Rao and is available wherever you listen to podcasts. Binge the whole season now.

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We all know what happens to best-laid plans. Disruption to routine and uncertainty is a fact of life. But one of the best ways to combat anxiety and frustration around disruptions is to practice gratitude for things that are going well. This weekend, take a moment to reflect on 3 things you’re grateful for. How did you feel before and after that exercise? 

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Many people are uncomfortable with meditation, or time for quiet thought, because of the negative thoughts or feelings the mind can dredge up. But it’s only by allowing these thoughts to come up that we can practice letting them go. Remember, we are not our thoughts. And it’s only by allowing thoughts to come and go without judgment that we can truly find peace of mind.

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What would you tell your younger self about where you are now, or what you have achieved? You’ve probably come a long way! Even though we are constantly growing and changing, sometimes the storylines of our past and the ideas of who we think we are at odds with what is happening right now. Today, pay attention to where your sense of identity comes from. Is it from the life you’re living, right now? Or is it tied to ideas that are no longer true?

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Many people who begin to meditate with Headspace expect they’ll instantly feel better and calmer. It’s natural to have expectations whenever we do anything, but holding on to these expectations can set us up for disappointment or frustration. Today, try to show up for whatever’s on your agenda without a sense of expectation. 

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Stress isn’t inherently good or bad, it’s simply a natural response to something that feels threatening. During these moments of stress response, our bodies and nervous system can’t tell whether a lion is chasing you or your flight is delayed, all it knows is to react. But if we are able to create space in our bodies and minds, we can choose how we respond, not just react.

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Many of us feel like we have to know everything that’s going to happen, all of the time. But this feeling creates resistance in the mind. If we have to be so certain all the time, we lose space for curiosity, imagination, and even intimacy and connection with other people. This weekend, practice curiosity instead of certainty. 

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Every time we think we’ve arrived somewhere, life has a way of changing our destination. It’s a constant work in progress, even when it feels like a decision or mistake we made is final. When we embrace the idea that nothing is final, we give ourselves the grace to begin again, no matter what happened before.

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Have you heard the saying “everything has been done before”? That may be true, but it hasn’t been done by you! The idea that nothing is original can come up when we’re scared of trying something new, but remember, as long as you bring your authentic self to the experience, it will feel totally unique. 

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