IKIGAI for Teens: Finding Your Purpose in a Confusing World

Have you ever wondered “Why am I here?”, “What should I do with my life?”, or “How do I know what I’m good at?”If yes, then welcome — you’re asking the exact questions Ikigai helps answer.

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means “a reason to wake up in the morning.”It’s not about fame or becoming a billionaire. It’s about finding a mix of things that make you happy, useful, and fulfilled.

Let's divide and conquer. Let's see if we can find your IKIGAI in 8 simple exercices.

1. Know Yourself

Ikigai starts with the most important question:“Who are you, really?”

This doesn’t mean your marks, your height, or what people think of you.It means knowing:

• What you enjoy

• What you’re naturally good at

• What makes you excited

Exercise:If you lose track of time while sketching, gaming, editing videos, or explaining maths to friends — that’s a clue to your ikigai.

Try noticing:

• What activities make you smile?

• What feels easy for you but hard for others?

• What do friends come to you for help with?

These are hints that point toward your purpose.

2. Explore Your Passions

You don’t have to find your passion at 15 or 16. Your only job is to explore.

Try different things:

• Sports

• Art

• Coding

• Music

• Writing

• Photography

• Volunteering

You might suck at them at first — and that’s okay.

Exercise: Maybe you try coding for a week and hate it. Fine. But maybe you join a school drama group and suddenly feel alive.That’s how you discover your passion: by experimenting.

3. Find What the World Needs

Ikigai isn’t only about what YOU want — it also connects to what the world needs.

This doesn’t mean solving global poverty.It means noticing small things around you.

Exercise:

• Your friends struggle with maths → you can tutor them.

• Your school doesn’t have a good newsletter → you can write one.

• Your colony kids need someone to teach football basics → you step in.

The world needs many little heroes.You can be one of them.

4. Build Useful Skills

Passion is great, but skills make it powerful.

Whatever you love, try to get better at it:

• If you love drawing → learn digital art

• If you love gaming → try game design

• If you love helping friends → learn communication skills

Ikigai = passion + skill + purpose.

Example: A teen who loves singing starts learning voice training. Slowly, they perform at school events. One day, they start a YouTube channel. Skill turns into value.

5. Create a Path With Purpose

You don’t need a big 10-year plan.Just small goals.

Exercise: Instead of saying “I will be a famous writer,”say:“I will write 100 words every day.”

Small habits grow into big dreams.

Also remember: Your path can change.It’s okay to switch interests. Ikigai is not one fixed thing — it grows with you.

6. Surround Yourself With Good People

Your circle matters.

Choose:

• Friends who motivate you

• Teachers who encourage you

• Family members who believe in you

Avoid people who:

• Constantly complain

• Pull you down

• Make fun of your goals

Example: If you want to learn photography and your friend mocks you,that friend is blocking your ikigai.

But if someone says, “Your pics are good, try entering this contest,”that person is helping your ikigai grow.

7. Stay Happy & Healthy

You cannot find purpose if you are always stressed or exhausted.

Do small things daily:

• Sleep on time

• Move your body

• Drink water

• Talk to people who matter

• Write 3 things you’re grateful for

Example:If you’re mentally tired, even your favourite hobby feels boring.So self-care is not luxury — it’s fuel for your ikigai.

8. Keep Growing

Ikigai is a journey.You’ll face failures, rejections, confusion — and that’s normal.

The goal is to grow, not to be perfect.

Examples:

• You didn’t get selected for debate → try again next year

• Your art didn’t win a prize → learn new techniques

• A plan didn’t work → make a new one

Every step teaches you something valuable.

Conclusion

Ikigai doesn’t appear magically.It grows when you:

• Explore your interests

• Build skills

• Help others

• Stay curious

• Take small steps every day

You don’t have to figure out your whole life right now.Just start with one small thing that makes you feel alive —and let your ikigai slowly unfold.