The majority (87%) of Ireland’s younger generation of 16-29-year-olds claim that their life lacks purpose or meaning, according to a survey conducted by Yakult UK and Ireland.
This figure is compared to an average of 83% of people feeling disillusioned with life across all age groups.
The report further found that only 65% of over 60s feel the same way, suggesting that ‘true contentment may simply come with age’.
According to the nationwide study, the biggest barrier to finding purpose and achieving greater happiness is a lack of finances (49%).
Anxiety (36%) and illness and poor health (16%) were also listed as factors preventing people from achieving the things they would like to.
Ikigai
“This research proves how many people are searching for their true objectives in life,” Daisy Whitfield-Davis, Yakult PR Manager, said.
“As a Japanese Company, we want to introduce the nation to Ikigai, a Japanese self-development concept, which is a framework for bringing satisfaction, happiness and meaning to your life.
Whitfield-Davis added that the concept would help the two-thirds of the population who admit to feeling jealous of colleagues and friends who seems to have their entire world in order.
“Ikigai is built around weighing up aspects of your life across your passions, your mission in life, your profession and your vocation,” she explained, “and it appears that it’s something we need in our lives, with 60% of us admitting we have no balance in our existence.”
According to the study, the average person spends over 35 minutes per of their day dreaming of a better, more fulfilled life.
Contradicting the Ikigaki concept, 59% admit they don’t spend enough time focusing on the things they love, with 39% say they spend too long worrying about work.
However, when asked about what gives our lives purpose, 49% of us say it is our loved ones, 33% say it’s being healthy, and 28% say it is to make other people happy.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
