Can ikigai help you process loss in your life?
In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with June Kashio to explore how embracing Ikigai can provide meaning, resilience, and healing during times of loss.
Podcast Highlights
- June’s backstory. June shares a bit about her background.
- The influence of Japanese culture. June shares which aspects of Japanese culture have had the greatest impact on her life.
- On navigating loss. June shares her experiences with loss.
- Impact of transformative life events. June shares how her experiences of loss affect her values.
- Wisdom gained through setbacks. June shares the lessons she has learned from her losses.
- Cultivating bravery. June shares how her experiences helped her develop a strong sense of courage.
- Ikigai bucket list challenges. June shares her recent bucket list adventures.
- Providing ikigai coaching. June discusses the services she offers through her Ikigai coaching.
- June’s three M’s of ikigai. June talks about the three M’s that define her ikigai.
June Kashio
June Kashio, originally from Japan and based in London, holds a background in human resources management and humanitarian psychology. She has worked in over 10 countries as a humanitarian aid worker and now serves as a staff care and career coach in the aid sector. Having faced the emotional challenges of relocation, she also supports families on the move. A single mother, widow, and cancer survivor, June currently lives in Berlin with her 14-year-old daughter.
LINKS:
June’s backstory
June was born and raised in England, but her story begins with her mother, who left Tokyo in the late 1960s. What was meant to be a short trip to London became permanent when she founded a tourism agency for Japanese visitors. June’s father later left Japan to join her mother in England, where June and her brother were born.
Although raised in London and speaking English at home, June’s father insisted they reconnect with their Japanese roots. At the age of nine, she moved to Japan and attended a special program for ‘returnees’ to assimilate into Japanese culture and education. At 15, June decided to return to England, where she experienced reverse culture shock as she readjusted to British life. This led her to question her identity as she navigated between her Japanese and British heritage.
The influence of Japanese culture
Now in her early 50s, June has developed a renewed interest in reconnecting with her Japanese roots, something she had previously avoided. As she grows older, she has come to appreciate the beauty of Japan and its heritage. She feels grateful for her time living there, as it allowed her to retain her Japanese language skills.
Now, she sees this as a second chance to rediscover Japan with a sense of acceptance, love, and curiosity. Having been raised in Europe and worked in over 10 countries, she views herself as a blend of diverse cultural influences, which allows her to appreciate Japan in a new and meaningful way.
On navigating loss
June shares her journey of profound loss, beginning with the sudden death of her husband in a train crash while they were both on international assignments. Just three months after reuniting as a family in Turkey, the tragedy struck, leaving her to navigate grief while caring for their young daughter. Following the loss, they decided to move back to Berlin, a place filled with memories of her husband and a strong support system for her daughter.
Soon after, June faced another challenge—being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer just before leaving Turkey. The diagnosis led to multiple surgeries, including the loss of a breast, adding to her series of hardships. Reflecting on her past, she recognizes a pattern of loss, from growing up without her father to the struggles of identity and belonging.
Despite these hardships, June found strength through therapy, coaching, music, and rediscovering her sense of purpose. With the support of friends, family, and professional help, she has moved toward healing and a more hopeful future.
Impact of transformative life events
June reflects on how her values emerged later in life, shaped by two traumatic events that forced her into survival mode. Her primary ikigai source became ensuring her daughter's well-being, leading her to move back to Berlin despite career sacrifices. Unable to work abroad, she adapted by transitioning to a remote career as a staff care coach.
She uses the Japanese art of kintsugi as a metaphor for resilience, comparing her healing process to repairing broken pottery with gold. Rather than hiding life's scars, she embraces them, seeing beauty in transformation and sharing her journey to help others find strength in their own struggles.
Wisdom gained through setbacks
Grief has reshaped June’s life, teaching her to embrace both sorrow and joy fully. She acknowledges that grief isn’t something one moves on from but rather something one moves forward with. The loss of her husband profoundly transformed her, influencing her decisions and mindset. While she allows herself to grieve, she also chooses to live fully, honoring her late husband’s memory. She finds purpose in being there for her daughter and leaving a meaningful legacy.
This experience has pushed her to take bold steps, reconnect with people, and live without regrets. June views her journey as both a curse and a blessing—while the loss is painful, it has given her strength and clarity to make the most of life.
Cultivating bravery
June attributes her bravery to her mother, who defied societal expectations by leaving Japan for England in her 30s, despite language barriers and financial struggles. June admires her mother’s resilience and has embraced similar courage through her own experiences of moving between Japan and the UK. She also reflects on the challenges of being a third culture kid (TCK),referring to children who grow up in multiple cultures, often struggling with identity and belonging, and how this experience shaped her own sense of self.
Ikigai bucket list challenges
June's ikigai bucket list challenge began as a way to embrace life after her husband's passing. Determined to make the most of her time, she set out to complete one meaningful challenge each year.
She started with surfing in Denmark in her late 40s, then organized a flash mob for breast cancer awareness during the pandemic. Before turning 50, she took on a busking challenge, later completed a mini-triathlon with her daughter, and recently pursued free diving to enhance breath control and mental resilience. More than the challenges, June values the journey—overcoming fears, meeting new people, and building confidence.
Providing ikigai coaching
June spreads the message of ikigai inspired by her own experiences and the need to correct common misconceptions about the concept. She emphasizes the importance of meaningful challenges, particularly in difficult times, and how ikigai has guided her through grief and uncertainty.
Rather than prescribing a specific path, she shares her journey to inspire others. Playfulness, curiosity, and humor play a crucial role in her approach, allowing her to embrace challenges without fear. She sees her work as honoring both her late husband’s legacy of humor and her mother’s lifelong desire to help others, which she considers her personal calling.
June’s three M’s of ikigai
June's three M’s of ikigai—Music, Movement, and Mindfulness—are the core practices that have guided her healing and self-discovery.
Music was her first form of therapy after cancer surgery, helping her express herself and find joy. She incorporates singing, guitar playing, and even karaoke-based stress management workshops to uplift herself and others.
Movement plays a key role in her well-being, from swimming to walking in nature. Living near a lake and forest allows her to stay active and connected to her surroundings.
Mindfulness is woven into her daily life, particularly through movement. She meditates while swimming and walking, using these moments for reflection and creativity.
By integrating these three elements, June fosters balance, resilience, and personal growth.
Conclusion
Any form of loss—whether it's a loved one, a job, or something deeply meaningful—can be incredibly painful. The grief and struggle that comes with it can leave us feeling lost. During these challenging times, discovering our ikigai sources can offer motivation and strength to move forward. The journey isn't easy, and some days will be especially difficult. However, knowing that you can always turn to your ikigai can serve as a beacon of hope, guiding you through even the darkest moments.