Words Worth Keeping

Ikigai (生き甲斐) – Japanese “A reason for being.”

A concept that defines the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Ikigai is about finding meaning and purpose in daily life.

Sisu – Finnish “Extraordinary determination in the face of adversity.”

More than just resilience, sisu is an inner strength that allows people to endure hardships without complaint, embracing discomfort as part of growth.

Lagom – Swedish “Not too much, not too little—just the right amount.”

A Swedish philosophy of moderation, balance, and sustainability in all aspects of life.

Lykke – Scandinavian “Happiness that comes from small, everyday pleasures.”

A common Scandinavian concept shared across Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, particularly embracing lykke as a way of finding joy in community, nature, and simple moments.

Wabi-Sabi (侘寂) – Japanese “The beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness.”

A Japanese aesthetic philosophy that finds elegance in natural flaws, aging materials, and asymmetry.

Ubuntu – Zulu / Xhosa (Southern Africa) “I am because we are.”

A deep sense of humanity and interconnectedness, emphasizing that personal identity is shaped through relationships with others.

Saudade – Portuguese “A deep, melancholic longing for something lost.”

Describes a sense of nostalgia, love, or longing for something—whether a place, a person, or a moment in time—that may never return.

Meraki (μεράκι) – Greek “Doing something with your soul, creativity, or love.”

When you put passion, creativity, and love into what you do, leaving a piece of yourself in your work.

Komorebi (木漏れ日) – Japanese “Light filtering through leaves.”

A word capturing a simple but fleeting beauty—how light and nature interact to create quiet moments of wonder.

Shinrin-yoku (森林浴) – Japanese “Forest bathing,” the practice of immersing yourself in a natural environment for restoration.

Originating in Japan in the 1980s as a public health initiative, it reflects a cultural belief that time spent in forests reduces stress, restores energy, and deepens the connection between humans and nature.