Ever have that feeling after a storm passes? The crisis is over, the dust has settled. You survived. But now you’re just… standing there in the quiet.
And the big question hits you: “What now?”
Just surviving is the mission when you’re at rock bottom. But you can’t live there forever. To start the real climb, you need a direction. A purpose. A “why.” What’s the point of the climb?
When I was in that quiet, empty place after my own world fell apart, I reached for a tool I already had in my pack—one I’d used before to find the trail. It’s a Japanese idea called Ikigai (pronounced ee-kee-guy).
Now, this isn’t some magical, mystical concept.
Think of it like a compass for your gut feeling. It’s a practical way to figure out your direction when the old map is gone.
It all boils down to answering four simple, honest questions.
The Four Compass Points
Grab a notebook or just open a new note on your phone. Let’s make this real. I want you to just jot down the first things that come to mind for each of these. No overthinking.
1. What do you LOVE? What’s the stuff you do that makes you lose track of time? The things you’d do for free just because you’re genuinely curious about them. It could be hiking, playing a video game, deep conversations, cooking, tinkering with things. Write down a few. For me, it’s always been exploring new places and connecting with people.
2. What are you GOOD AT? What are your skills? Not just your job title. Are you a great listener? Are you good with your hands? Are you a killer organizer? Are you tough as nails and can handle any physical work? Think about your natural talents and the skills you’ve earned the hard way. I learned I was good at navigating tough situations and staying calm under pressure.
3. What does the world NEED? Look around. What problem frustrates you? What’s something you wish you could fix for other people? It doesn’t have to be “end world hunger.” It could be “people need a safe space to talk,” or “people need honest advice about traveling on a budget,” or “people need to know they’re not alone after they’ve been scammed.” Sound familiar?
4. What can you get PAID FOR? Let’s be real, we have to survive. What skills do you have that someone would pay for? It could be your old job, a side hustle, a trade. This is about making the journey sustainable.
Finding Your Direction
Look at your four lists. See any overlap? Any connections?
Maybe you love photography, you’re good at making people feel comfortable, the world needs more authentic stories, and you could get paid for portrait sessions. Boom. That’s the direction.
Maybe you love being outdoors, you’re good at hard physical work, the world needs more sustainable food, and you could get paid to work on a farm. Boom. Another direction.
Now, here’s the most important part:
Don’t freak out trying to find the one perfect answer that fits all four circles. That’s a recipe for paralysis.
Ikigai is not a destination. It’s a direction. It’s the general direction your compass is pointing. Sometimes you’ll do something just because you love it. Sometimes you’ll take a job just to get paid. That’s okay. That’s survival.
But this compass helps you make better choices. It helps you take the next step, and the next, in a direction that feels right.
When my world burned down, this was the framework I used to build it back up. It’s how Survive Backpacking was reborn.
But here’s the real secret: Ikigai isn’t fixed. It grows as you do. My own proves it. At first, my Ikigai was about travel. Then, after everything collapsed, it became about rebuilding. Now, it’s about sharing this comeback in real time—giving you the compass and shield I wish I had.
Survive Backpacking is my Ikigai in action, and it will keep growing and evolving right along with me.
It’s the “why” that fuels my climb.
It’s all about the journey of becoming.
Your turn.
Your comeback isn’t just about survival. It’s about becoming.
Ikigai is your summit compass — the “why” that makes the “how” possible.
👉 Download the Ikigai Worksheet free from the Gear section.
Your summit is waiting. Keep climbing.
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