10 Books like Ikigai, about living a simple life

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1. Zen: The Art of Simple Living by Shunmyo Masuno

A Zen Buddhist priest shares 100 tiny life lessons that change everything.

Masuno runs a 400-year-old temple in Japan. He teaches that simple shifts create massive peace. The lessons are short—one page each. You can read one a day or binge them all.

Examples: how to energise your morning, how to stop worrying about things you can't control, how to find confidence when doubt creeps in.

I keep this book by my bed. When anxiety hits, I open to any page. It works every time. The wisdom feels ancient, but it applies perfectly to modern stress.

• Best for: People overwhelmed by daily life who need quick, calming wisdom *
• Vibes: Japanese Zen, 100 short lessons, calming, practical 
• Length: Quick read, perfect for daily doses

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2. Kaizen: The Japanese Method for Transforming Habits, One Small Step at a Time by Sarah Harvey

Small steps. Huge results. That's Kaizen.

The Japanese perfected this: change 1% at a time instead of overhauling your life overnight. Harvey explains why we abandon habits and how to actually stick to them through self-compassion and tiny progress.

I used Kaizen to fix my writing routine. Instead of "write 2 hours daily" (failed repeatedly), I started with "write 5 minutes." After 3 months, I was writing an hour daily without forcing it.

This book teaches that method. 

Track progress. 

Practice self-compassion.

Celebrate small wins. Your brain stops resisting change.

• Best for: People who start strong but quit habits after 2 weeks 
• Vibes: Practical, Japanese philosophy, habit science, encouraging 
• Similar to Atomic Habits but gentler

3. The Book of Ichigo Ichie: The Art of Making the Most of Every Moment, the Japanese Way

"Ichigo ichie" means "this moment, once in a lifetime."

Same authors as Ikigai. They explore how to be fully present because every moment happens only once. The concept comes from Japanese tea ceremonies, where each gathering is treated as unrepeatable.

This hit me hard. I spend so much time distracted—phone, multitasking, half-present. This book taught me to actually be in moments instead of rushing through them.

Not mystical fluff. Practical advice on mindfulness, attention, and appreciating now instead of always chasing next.

• Best for: People who feel like life is passing by too fast 
• Vibes: Mindfulness, Japanese tea ceremony wisdom, present moment 
• Note: By the Ikigai authors—same accessible style

4. Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton

Wabi-sabi teaches you to find beauty in imperfection.

It's a Japanese aesthetic philosophy: cracks in pottery make it more beautiful. Weathered wood has character. Nothing needs to be perfect to be valuable.

Kempton spent years in Japan studying this concept. She shows how to apply it to modern life. Stop chasing perfection. Accept change. Appreciate simplicity. Flow with nature instead of fighting it.

I applied this to my blog. I used to stress over every typo, every imperfect post. Wabi-sabi helped me publish imperfectly and improve gradually.

Much less stress. Better results.

The book is calming just to read. Full of gentle wisdom about accepting life as it is.

• Best for: Perfectionists who exhaust themselves trying to be flawless
• Vibes: Japanese aesthetics, acceptance, nature, gentle wisdom
• Pairs with: Kaizen (small steps) and Zen (simple living)

5. The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking

The Danes are the happiest people on earth.

Their secret? Hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah").

Hygge isn't about things. It's about atmosphere. Candles on a rainy evening. Coffee with friends. Cosy blankets. Slowing down to savour small moments.

Wiking runs the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen. He breaks down exactly how to create hygge in your life. Not expensive. Not complicated. Just intentional cosiness and connection.

I started lighting candles during dinner. Sounds silly, but it shifted the whole evening vibe. Meals became slower, conversations deeper. That's hygge.

This book is the perfect introduction to Danish happiness philosophy.

• Best for People who want more coziness and less hustle in daily life 
• Vibes: Danish, happiness research, cozy, practical 
• Season: Perfect for fall/winter but applies year-round

6. LAGOM : The Swedish Art of Balance Living by Linnea Dunne

• Best for: People burned out from all-or-nothing thinking 
• Vibes: Swedish, balance, sustainability, middle path 
• Pairs with: Hygge (Danish coziness) and Ikigai (Japanese purpose)

7. The Key to Happiness: How to Find Purpose by Unlocking the Secrets of the World's Happiest People Meik Wiking

Wiking (same author as Hygge book) travelled the world interviewing the happiest people.

He found six building blocks of happiness: togetherness, money, health, kindness, trust, and freedom. For each block, he gives doable tips.

Examples: Start a mini-library in your apartment building (togetherness). Leave a surprise gift on a stranger's doorstep (kindness). Help a lost tourist (connection).

I tried the "tell someone they matter to you" exercise. I texted three friends I appreciated. All three responded emotionally. It felt better than any happiness hack I'd tried.

This book proves happiness isn't accidental. It's buildable through small, intentional actions.

• Best for: People who want research-backed happiness strategies (not just philosophy) 
• Vibes: Happiness science, actionable tips, global research 
• Author: Runs the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen

8. The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to be Calm in a Busy World by Haemin Sunim

A Buddhist monk's guide to staying calm in chaos.

Haemin Sunim was born in Korea, educated in the US, and became a monk. He started answering questions on social media about anxiety, relationships, and failure. This book collects his wisdom.

Short chapters. Beautiful illustrations. Advice on everything: handling rejection, dealing with difficult people, finding rest, and building meaningful relationships.

The title captures it perfectly. When you rush, you miss everything. When you slow down, clarity appears.

I read one chapter each morning with coffee. It sets my whole day differently. Less reactive. More present. The advice is simple, but it lands.

• Best for: Anxious people who need daily doses of calm wisdom
• Vibes: Buddhist monk, Korean, illustrated, bite-sized wisdom
• Format: Read one chapter at a time or binge it all

9. Good Vibes, Good Life: How Self-Love Is the Key to Unlocking Your Greatness by Vex King

Instagram guru Vex King teaches you to rewire your brain for positivity.

King grew up in poverty and adversity. He used positive thinking and self-love to completely change his life. Now he teaches millions on social media how to do the same.

This isn't toxic positivity ("just think happy thoughts!"). It's practical: change your thoughts, change your emotions, change your actions, change your life. He gives specific exercises and mantras.

I was sceptical at first. But the gratitude practice he teaches actually works. Write 3 things you're grateful for daily. After 30 days, my whole mindset shifted.

Modern self-help that actually delivers. Less philosophy, more action steps.

• Best for: Young adults who want practical positivity tools (not just theory)
• Vibes: Instagram wisdom, self-love, motivational, actionable
• Age range: 20s-30s especially

Don't miss this post -> 50 Best Good Vibes Good Life Quotes (Vex King)

10. How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie

The 1948 classic that still works today.

Carnegie breaks down worry into steps you can analyse and eliminate. He teaches fundamental techniques: live in "day-tight compartments" (don't borrow tomorrow's problems), use the law of averages (what's the actual probability of disaster?), and accept the inevitable.

The "true stories" section shows real people who conquered worry. Not theory. Proof it works.

I used his business worry technique: write down the problem, list possible solutions, decide on action, and start immediately. Anxiety drops when you have a plan.

Yes, it's old. But worry hasn't changed. Carnegie's advice still lands 75+ years later.

• Best for: Chronic worriers who need systematic techniques (not just "calm down")
• Vibes: Classic self-help, practical, story-based, timeless
• Note: Written in 1948, but feels current

11. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

Counterintuitive self-help: stop caring about everything.

Manson argues we care about too much—other people's opinions, social media validation, perfect lives. This exhausts us. Instead, care about fewer things that actually matter.

The book is blunt, funny, and honest.

No toxic positivity. Just real talk about accepting life's struggles, choosing your values carefully, and letting go of everything else.

I loved the "choosing what to give a f*ck about" framework.

You have limited energy. Spend it on what truly matters—relationships, meaningful work, personal growth. Stop wasting it on trivial stress. Not for everyone (lots of swearing, irreverent tone). But if you're tired of "just be positive!" advice, this hits different.

• Best for: People exhausted by trying to care about everything 
• Vibes: Blunt, funny, modern self-help, counterintuitive 
• Warning: Lots of profanity (it's in the title) 
• Pairs with: Good Vibes, Good Life (interesting contrast)

These 11 books taught me what Ikigai started: life works better when you slow down.

You don't need to overhaul everything. Small changes compound. Present moments matter more than perfect plans. Imperfection is beautiful.

Happiness comes from simple rituals, not endless achievement.

I rotate through these books. They're not one-time reads. They're guides I return to when life speeds up too much.

Your ikigai is waiting. These books help you find it.

Happy Reading!