The Best Ways to Find Your Purpose at Any Age

Ask yourself questions.

Interviewing yourself can help you identify what matters to you. How can you know what you really want if you don’t ask yourself about it? Being confident in your passions, hopes, and values can help you find your purpose. Take a few moments to ask yourself some of these questions to learn more about yourself: When have you been happiest in your life? What has made you truly proud of yourself? What qualities do you most admire in other people? What makes you feel alive and energized? How happy do you feel on an everyday basis? If you had one week to live, how would you spend that week? What shoulds are overriding your wants? If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? What one change could make your life happier?

Explore your passions.

Trying new things can help you understand what brings you joy. Think about what you enjoy spending the most time doing. Perhaps you like singing, being in nature, cooking, working out, writing, or performing well at work. The things you love to do are your passions. Diving head first into hobbies or other things you enjoy can help you find meaning in life. More often than not, your passions are activities that you often lose track of time while doing. Focus on what makes you happy rather than the materialistic or societal value of something. Your true passions ultimately fill your heart with joy.

Join a club or cause.

Putting yourself out there can help you find a purpose in life. Think about your interests or passions, then join a social club or cause surrounding that activity or thing. This is an excellent way to meet new people and motivate you to be involved in your community or do something important. For instance, if you’re passionate about animals, consider joining a cause to end deforestation. If you value safety, join the neighborhood watch.

Think about your future.

Imagining yourself 30 years from now can help you determine your goals. Backward planning is the idea of thinking ahead to plan for the present. Take a moment to imagine yourself at 50, 70, or 80 years old. What’s your job? Are you in a relationship? Where are you living? Now, think about what you can do to reach that point right now. For example, say you picture yourself at 80 years old, surrounded by great-grandchildren, happily retired after a successful career helping your community, and living in your own home with a lot of land. This image means you want a family, a career helping others, and to live independently in a rural setting.

Write a personal vision statement.

Identifying your core values can help you envision your future. Take a moment to write down your hopes, dreams, and goals—what do you want to accomplish in life? Now, hang this paper somewhere you’ll always see it (like on the fridge or above your bed). Use this simple statement as a reminder to work towards your goals and discover your life’s purpose. A personal vision statement describes your values, strengths, and goals. Know that your purpose or statement doesn’t have to revolve around one thing—it’s not absolute! Your statement can explore multiple interests, passions, or dreams. Your personal vision statement could say something like, “I envision a future where I’m a successful entrepreneur with my own business,” “My vision is to live a life where I can prioritize my physical and emotional health while raising a family,” or “I want to become a successful writer and move out of my parent’s house.” Not sure what your values or goals are? That’s okay! Ask a friend to describe you, or take some time to clear your head by meditating or going on a nature walk.

Read more.

Reading is a great way to discover more about yourself. Reading can also help you explore your curiosities and learn new things. A fiction book can bring you to fantastical worlds and ignite your imagination, whereas a nonfiction book can open your eyes to new perspectives. Studies also show that reading improves empathy and creative and critical thinking skills. So, grab a book and dive in. Who knows? You may resonate with a character’s drive and find your own purpose within the pages. Consider joining a book club in your community to meet new people and broaden your reading range. Find book recommendations on social media (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.) to discover new and exciting titles. Ask a librarian or bookseller for recommendations if you’re not sure what to read next.

Spend time with people who uplift you.

Hanging out with inspiring people can help you thrive. Who you surround yourself with can greatly impact your life. So, spend time with people who bring out the best in you! Make friends with people who have a realistic and positive outlook on life and aren’t afraid to chase their dreams. Who knows? You may just learn your life’s purpose through them. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and meet new people. The more people you meet, the more perspectives you’ll encounter; the more perspectives you encounter, the more you’ll learn about life. Similarly, think about public figures who inspire you—if you could be anyone, who would you be? This could be a celebrity, world leader, or historical figure you admire. What could you do in your life to be as inspirational as them?

Keep a journal.

Journaling helps you identify your beliefs, goals, and passions. Create a dedicated journal to write down all your thoughts, feelings, and dreams. Letting your emotions flood onto the page can be extremely therapeutic and give you insight into what you want or need most in life—helping you find your life’s purpose. For instance, you might write about what you want to do after school—what are your hopes and dreams for the future, and how can you achieve them? Be open and honest when you write. The more honest you are with yourself, the more likely you are to grow. Don’t worry about how your writing sounds or looks. This journal is just for you.

Develop a growth mindset.

Challenging yourself to change can help you find your purpose. Embracing change and facing challenges is all a part of growing up, and you can’t find your life’s purpose without a bit of growth. If you have a growth mindset, you believe that hard work and dedication help you become the best version of yourself. Understanding that life is full of learning experiences can help you identify what matters most to you. To develop a growth mindset: Look at challenges or obstacles as new learning opportunities. Accept feedback and criticism with an open mind. Keep moving forward even if you fail.

Practice self-acceptance.

Learning to accept your limitations can help you make smarter life goals. Being aware of what you can and can’t do is a great way to understand what your life purpose may be. Self-acceptance is all about accepting yourself as you are—faults and all. No one’s perfect, and the sooner you accept that, the faster you can give meaning to your life. Believe that you’re worthy of joy and happiness. You can receive and enjoy good things that come your way. Know that it’s okay just to be okay. You don’t have to be exceptional at everything. Shut down societal norms and follow the beat of your own drum. You don’t need to do everything the same way everyone else does.

Make time for self-care.

Taking care of yourself inside and out can push you toward your purpose. How can you fill someone else’s cup without filling your own first? Spending time and money on yourself can help you thrive physically and mentally. Do things that bring you joy on a daily basis to practice self-care. The happier you are, the easier it’ll be to determine what you’re meant to do in life. Go for a walk around the block or schedule a time to go to the gym with a friend. Cook yourself a nice meal after a long day. Read a book before bed to unwind. Make time to chat with a friend or family member during the weekend.

Give back to your community.

Helping others can broaden your perspective on life. Everyone walks in different shoes, and helping others is a great way to help yourself. Look for opportunities in your community to lend a helping hand. Performing random acts of kindness can help you practice gratitude and discover what you want most in life. Volunteer at your local soup kitchen, hospital, or animal shelter. Ask a neighbor if they need help mowing their lawn or getting groceries. Bring a loved one baked treats if they're sick or feeling low.

Focus less on pleasing others.

Trying to make other people happy could hinder your overall purpose. Even if you determine that your life purpose is about helping others, do so without sacrificing your own needs. Try not to worry about what other people think—you don’t have to please them! Focus on making decisions and choices that match your purpose, not those around you. Know that even if your goal is to bring happiness to yourself and others, meeting the immediate demands of others won’t help you fulfill your purpose—your purpose comes from within you. At the end of the day, follow your own path, not someone else’s.