Mom’s Life and Money Matters - finding your Ikigai

Dear Anak,

Can you believe that there's only less than 10 weeks left until you graduate from high school? I cannot believe how we are here already! It has not all been smooth sailing. There has been a lot of ups and downs, of course. Because such is life..! Dad and I find ourselves reminiscing stories of when you were younger. One that came up lately is that one time I burned the garlic bread in the oven. You must have been 6 or 7 years old; when you found out you ran upstairs to wake Dad up from his nap to urgently tell that him that "Mommy burned the garlic bread..!!" Garlic bread was (is!) your favorite part of pasta night. Luckily, we had more bread and I re-did that and everything was fine. 

Anyway, as you know, mom loves to read self-improvement books. One of my favorite is Ikigai The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia. As you stand at the “edge of this exciting new chapter”—college—I’ve been thinking a lot about purpose and what it means to live a meaningful life. Well, actually as a life coach, I think about it a lot. 😉 In fact, there has been an iteration of this exact same topic on Mom's life and money matters a few years back and I thought this is a great time to bring it up again! Especially since we're visiting Colorado soon and you're getting close to a decision! 

I don't know if you do, but it’s natural to feel pressure when you hear people talking about finding your passion or knowing exactly what you want to do with your life. Maybe some of your peers already do. But I want you to know that it’s okay not to have it all figured out yet. In fact, college is one of the best times to explore, try new things, and discover what lights you up.

Anyway, Ikigai is a Japanese idea that means “a reason for being.” It’s about finding the intersection of four key things:

1. What you love – the things that make you feel alive and excited.

2. What you’re good at – your strengths and natural talents.

3. What the world needs – how you can contribute to others and make a difference.

4. What you can be paid for – the practical side of supporting yourself and creating a stable life.

When these four things align, that’s where your Ikigai lives. But here’s the thing—it’s not something you discover overnight. It’s something you find along the way, gradually, by being curious, staying open, and following what feels meaningful to you.

College is a perfect time to start figuring that out. Take classes that interest you, even if they don’t seem “practical.” CU Denver Film school sounds really exciting! I can just imagine you on Oscar Night going up there to receive your best in film editing! A mom can dream..! 🥰🥰 anyway—— Join clubs, meet new people, and try different activities. Some things will click, and some won’t—and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. Each experience will give you more clarity about what you love and where your strengths lie, and who you eventually become.

And don’t be discouraged if the path isn’t straight or obvious. Many people change majors, career plans, and even life goals. Many, many times before they find what feels right. The goal isn’t to lock yourself into one plan—Listen to your own heart and own wisdom, stay connected to what brings you joy and purpose while also building the skills and resilience you need to thrive.

It’s easy to measure success by grades, job titles, or salary, but true fulfillment comes from aligning your life with your values and sense of purpose. That’s what Ikigai is about—finding the balance between meaning and practicality.

So as you step into this next chapter, give yourself the freedom to explore, to make mistakes, and to change your mind. Trust that you are already enough and that the right path will reveal itself over time. Again, where you’re at, who you are, you are already enough, perfect as God intended you to be.

As you move toward graduation and start thinking about college and your future, I want you to keep that idea in mind. Not everything will go perfectly, but what matters is how you respond. Keep asking yourself:

• What do I love?

• What am I good at?

• What does the world need from me?

• What can I build a life around?

The answers won’t come all at once, and that’s okay. Pivot, learn and find your own path. 

We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see how your journey unfolds. Just remember that you don’t have to have it all figured out right now.

Some days you may have to “redo the garlic bread!” Keep showing up, learning from the mistakes, and trusting yourself. You already have everything you need to find your path. I believe in you, and I’m so proud of the thoughtful, kind, and capable young man you’re becoming.

Now… how about a pasta night soon? I promise not to burn the bread this time! Ha ha! 

I love you always,

Mom