A Reason for Bee-ing: My Ikigai

Discovering My Purpose Through Bees and Water

What’s the worst job you’ve ever had? I’ve had my fair share, from grueling tasks like cleaning out chicken coops to other unfulfilling roles. But no matter how bad the job, the worst part is realizing you’re giving time and energy to someone who doesn’t value you, making money at your expense. It wasn’t until I learned about Ikigai that I could envision a life of purpose.

For 20 years, I worked hard for little pay and had no savings to show for it. Like many, I thought this was just the way life was. I grew up watching my father struggle to run a business, while my mom held a desk job. Despite vowing to avoid both paths, I eventually followed a similar route—until I found something more meaningful.

The Dream of Acting—and the Reality Check

In my younger years, I dreamed of becoming an actress, imagining myself playing a variety of roles. I wanted to experience everything the world had to offer and couldn’t imagine settling for just one career. However, the reality of pursuing acting hit hard. I realized that a life on stage wouldn’t provide the financial stability I craved. So, I shifted my focus to advertising, thinking it would give me the means to act on the side. But this path didn’t align with my true passions.

A Shift in Focus: Global Studies and Life Abroad

After several semesters of public relations and advertising studies, I began to see the world differently. I traveled to Australia and studied abroad, opening my eyes to global issues like peace, conflict resolution, and environmental security. I was determined to make a difference, leading me to a degree in Global Studies. Over the next decade, I floated from job to job, working as a teacher, server, and farmhand—all while pursuing my goal to change the world.

The Turning Point: Bees Enter My Life

Everything changed in 2013 when honeybees found me. Working with bees gave me purpose, a way to make a difference. Around this time, I discovered the concept of Ikigai, a Japanese philosophy that combines passion, mission, profession, and vocation into a unified purpose. Through journaling and reflection, I envisioned a life where I could travel the world working with bees, educating others, and creating a sustainable future.

However, despite my passion and vision, I still struggled financially. The pieces of my Ikigai puzzle weren’t complete—until I found a solution that tied everything together.

The Element of Water: Completing My Ikigai

Water became the final piece of my puzzle. Two years ago, I discovered a water machine that not only aligned with my values of health and sustainability but also connected me to a supportive community of entrepreneurs. This machine provided me the financial support to pursue my Honey Huntress adventures from anywhere in the world.

After years of struggle, I finally had a way to fund my passion for bees, travel, and sustainable living. My Ikigai—what I love, what the world needs, and what I’m good at—all came together with the means to earn a living.

What Is Your Ikigai?

Ikigai represents the intersection of four questions:

• What do you love? (Passion & Mission)
• What are you good at? (Passion & Profession)
• What does the world need? (Mission & Vocation)
• How can you earn money? (Vocation & Profession)

I recommend taking time to answer these questions throughout your life. Your Ikigai will evolve, and visualizing it will help you work towards your goals. The Honey Huntress started as a vision three years ago, and while not everything has been achieved, I know persistence will bring success.

Let’s Explore Your Ikigai Together

If you’re ready to discover your purpose but don’t know how to support it financially, reach out! Starting an online business may be the key to aligning your passions with your profession, just as it was for me. Together, we can explore how you can rise to meet your Ikigai.

Let’s make this journey as sweet as possible. You rise, I rise, WE rise!
Interested in discovering your Ikigai or learning more about my journey? Send me a message, and let’s rise together on this adventure!