Finding Your Ikigai in Green Spaces: Cultivating Joy and Purpose in Everyday Life

What if the green spaces in your life could support your wellbeing — not by doing more, but by relating to them differently?

This immersive workshop explores how everyday green spaces can become sources of joy, meaning and restoration. Guided by psychiatrist and Mind & Nature founder Dr Ivan Lin, you’ll be introduced to ikigai — a Japanese concept that helps people find joy and purpose in everyday life — and learn how to apply it to your relationship with the green spaces in your life. We'll be at Taste Nature for our morning session, where you’ll learn about ikigai and explore your green space values to clarify what matters most to you in the green spaces you live with.

In the afternoon, we move outdoors to George Street Orchard for a personal conversation with Rory Harding, who will share his relationship with his green space at home, grounding the day’s ideas in real-life practice. This is followed by a slow, sensory garden walk to engage your senses and reflect on how attention and care shape wellbeing. There will be time for questions and discussion and you’ll also take home an Ikigai Discovery Card to support ongoing reflection beyond the workshop.

🌿 What This Workshop Is About

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that helps people find joy and purpose through everyday life — not by changing everything, but by relating differently to what’s already there.

In this workshop, we explore ikigai through:

• Reflection

• Conversation

• Gentle experiential practices

• Relationship with everyday green spaces

This is not a lecture, therapy session or productivity workshop.
It’s a calm, structured space to pause, reflect and reconnect — with yourself and with the green spaces you already live alongside.

🗓 Workshop Programme

9.30am–12.00pm: Indoor session at Taste Nature
12.00pm–1.00pm: Lunch break (not included)
1.00pm–2.30pm: Outdoor session at George Street Orchard

✨ Key Highlights

• Specialist-led facilitation by Mind & Nature psychiatrist Dr Ivan Lin

• Personal conversation with Rory Harding

• Guided indoor reflection followed by outdoor experience

• Sensory garden walk at George Street Orchard

🧺 What You’ll Take Home

✔ Your Ikigai Discovery Card

✔ Practical ways to connect with everyday green spaces

✔ A clearer relationship with your green space in your life

🌱 Who This Workshop Is For

• People seeking more meaning and ease in everyday life

• Those curious about ikigai without wanting something abstract or overly spiritual

• Anyone wanting a deeper relationship with their green space at home

• People who value thoughtful conversation, reflection and grounded wellbeing

Important Information

This workshop is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice or therapy.

A limited number of concession tickets are offered to support accessibility while keeping the group small and the workshop sustainable.

Photographs and videos may be taken during this event for promotional and educational purposes. If you do not wish to be included, please let us know on the day.