Our personal lifestyle consists of our habits, attitudes, tastes, economic level and moral standards. There are many different lifestyles: Christian lifestyle, fitness lifestyle, sophisticated lifestyle, thug lifestyle, etc. Some of us have lifestyles that are inconsistent with who we are. That may occur when our lifestyle is thrust upon us by our physical and social environment, personal history, experience, and culture. It may also occur when we select incompatible lifestyles. Choosing a lifestyle compatible with our personal interests, abilities and values is more likely to lead to feelings of satisfaction and contentment.Choosing a compatible lifestyle can be difficult for a number of reasons. One reason is that an effective lifestyle choice requires self-awareness of our personal needs, strengths, and motives. Lack of self-awareness can leave us feeling dissatisfied. For example, some people select careers based more on income potential and less on personal interest. They may make the selection because of a lack of awareness of what they value most highly, or because of outside pressure from family members or friends. After a few years, such people may find themselves dissatisfied with life.
Another reason why people have difficulty adopting a suitable lifestyle is fear. This fear can come in different forms. It may be fear of the reaction others may have to their choice. “Will they make fun of me?” “Will they reject me?” “Will they disown me?” Or, it may be fear of failure. “Will I lose everything?” “What if I am wrong?” Fear can be paralyzing, leaving a person stuck in a sad and unfulfilling situation.
Gaining self-awareness and overcoming fear are two challenging aspects of life. Identifying our “ideal self,” and being certain that it is our definition and not someone else’s, is one of life’s major challenges. Once identified, finding the courage to live that life can present additional difficult challenges. However, it is worth the effort because the potential rewards are high.
Living a life that is in tune with your personal interests, abilities, and values makes it more likely that you will live feeling satisfied and content. Determining your personal interests, abilities, and values can be difficult. Individual and group counseling can help you better understand yourself so that you can make optimal decisions about your future. There are also a number of psychological tests designed to help you understand yourself better. These tests are available through the counseling center. If you would like help exploring yourself and your future, please contact the professional staff at the University Counseling Center.