What is a Woman’s Lifestyle?
Lifestyle, simply put is a person’s way of living. It encompasses a person’s approach towards life in general. A woman’s lifestyle means her values, her views as it affects not just her but the world around her. It involves her activities, attitude, interests, character and even self-image. For a woman, it’s like forging a sense of self and creating cultural symbols that resonate with her personal identity. The joys of womanhood; life’s challenges; the uncertainties of life in general as it affects a woman and her world; the doubts (self-doubts among others) cannot be overemphasized enough. What is a woman’s lifestyle? How does she define her lifestyle?
First, let’s talk about a woman’s passion.
A woman’s passion is something that has always been discarded since time immemorial. One’s heart directly affects his/her lifestyle. As a woman, you should be able to ask yourself, What interests me? What do I like? What’s my passion? and live accordingly. We live in a world today where many dreams have been crushed.
As a woman, you should be able to define things yourself, carve a path for yourself. That path might not necessarily lead to happiness but it’ll definitely add to your experience. Growing up, I was surrounded by many potential doctors who later turned into makeup artists when they grew up. Of course there’s nothing wrong with that, but you’ll agree with me that something went wrong along the line. A person’s passion should not change so much. I asked one of such people a question, why? Her answer was and I quote, “Life is not always how you see it”. This singular statement has destroyed a lot of dreams.
I believe a woman’s statement should be “Life is what you make it”.
In life, a woman faces a lot of things; career choice, childbirth, relationships, she has to be a good daughter, listen to her parents’ wishes and desires, and sometimes it is expected and demanded from her to forsake her own desires. All these are there yes, but something that should never be compromised is her passion, her desires.
Secondly, Interests.
The feeling of wanting to know or learn about something.
It could also be defined as the feeling of wanting to give your attention to something or wanting to be involved with and to discover more about something.
What are your interests?
Oprah Winfrey, a great woman, once said, “The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams”. A woman’s lifestyle directly correlates to her interests. It’s like the foundation to which her lifestyle is built on. This might sound motivational but wants and desires should not change according to the economy or “times” but should change the economy.
Thirdly, Attitude.
While realizing a passion and discovering your interests is good, what’s your attitude towards achieving it?
Attitude means a settled way of thinking or feeling about something. It could also be referred to as outlook, angle, perspective, reaction, stance and even approach.
A woman’s approach towards living life defined by her goes a long way. I want an umbrella. I’m sitting down just saying I want an umbrella. Everyone around me is busy getting theirs but I’m hoping mine somehow, miraculously gets to me. And it’s my umbrella, emphasis on mine. You want something? Go get it.
A woman’s attitude should be that of determination and strong will. A woman is not so easily defeated. Take a stance. This is my life. What is your attitude as a person? Decide on your passion, and live in such a way that you realize that passion no matter what. Create your own lifestyle. A woman’s lifestyle should be uniquely hers, not her friends, not her parents, not her society, but hers.
Most women find it difficult to figure out their own mind or will concerning Life. This is usually because, most of the time, a woman’s attitude is influenced by her family, her environment, the society, the culture and traditions she finds herself in, the economic issues such as work, salary, and so on. All these, when carefully considered, tends to influence the average woman’s will. Nevertheless, a woman’s will remains. No matter how much it can be influenced, it can waver, but it won’t change completely except she allows it.
I’ve had the opportunity to speak with some successful women and I’ve arrived at a conclusion, a woman’s lifestyle is based on choice.
Character or Behavior.
Some books define it as a result of experience or upbringing. It is occasionally used in place of attitude. In psychology, attitude refers to a set of emotions, beliefs, and behavior.
As a woman, your character and behavior towards a lot of things, your approach, your stance in life helps a lot in defining your lifestyle.
Earlier, I mentioned lifestyle is forging a sense of self.
I want to be a physician. Ok. What’s your approach towards it? What steps have you taken to actually achieve such? Or I am a doctor. Ok. What steps did you take in becoming a doctor? How will you describe your journey so far? A woman’s lifestyle faces a lot of questions especially in certain areas of the world such as Asia, Africa and so on but all these should not be enough to determine a woman’s character. I saw something once, “some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”
Another key point is self-concept; the way she sees, handles and carries not just herself, but the world also.
In simple terms, self-concept asks the question, who am I? Am I a soft-hearted woman? Am I a strong-willed woman? Am I selfish or selfless? If I am selfish, how do I channel all these to achieve my goals? You might be asking what’s the point of all these questions but it’s very important. Self-concept can also be seen as self-esteem. This is a very important aspect of a woman. It affects not just her choices, but her relationships, mood, social well-being, activities, etc. which in turn affects her lifestyle.
It helps answer the question, why do I do the things I do? If I say yes, how will this affect me as a person? A woman’s self-concept is directly related to her self-image. Of course we all know the way a woman see herself is the way the world sees her. There are occasionally exceptions where, the way a woman sees herself is different from what she presents to the world, which in turn, affects the way the world sees her. But that’s occasionally.
Some describe self-concept as a mental picture of who you are as a person. In fact, the importance of a woman’s self-concept cannot be over emphasized enough. A woman that sees herself as a confident, strong-minded person will definitely handle all that comes her way with that perception. She cannot be easily swayed by others opinions neither can she be easily bullied. Likewise, a woman that sees herself as timid will always be sidelined, especially from important events.
I came across a write up once, “self-concept is a perception you have of your image, abilities and in some ways a perception of your own individual uniqueness”. A woman’s lifestyle should be unique to only her. Her abilities, her capabilities, how she sees life, all these are part of her self-image; the way she carries herself.
Let’s consider the societal expectations of a woman.
From the time a woman is born, her every action is observed and judged by the world. This generally affects the average woman’s way of thinking.
It is expected, a woman’s manner of speech should always be eloquent. She should be poised, virtuous and so on. No. This should not be a factor. A woman’s self-image of concept should be forged from her own self, from her own will. This contributes a lot to not just owning but honing her lifestyle. A woman is not told who she is, she tells people who she is.
A woman’s views and values is another lifestyle determinant. A woman’s lifestyle is not just how she sees herself but how she sees the world also. I mentioned Oprah Winfrey earlier. She once said, “all my life I have always known I was born to greatness. The expectation of my life was that I might be able to work for some good white folks. Now I got some good white folks working for me.”
As a woman see the world as something that has to conform to you. The world was made for humans, not the other way around. Your lifestyle, naturally as a woman, will comply with it. A woman’s views and values. Beauty, honesty, justice, peace, generosity are all examples of a woman’s views and values.
The world will definitely have their opinions. They’ll judge and criticize. It’s the way a woman handles it that makes the difference. A woman’s lifestyle is greatly defined by her views of the world. Does she see the world as a place that she has conquered, she needs to conquer, or that cannot be conquered?
A woman’s views about the world should be such that she’s comfortable and proud of herself wherever she goes. Her views should be such that she’s comfortable with herself as well as the world. In summary, her views and values should be among the basis on which she creates her own world. A woman must be able to articulate her values in order to make clear, rational, responsible and consistent decisions which in turn creates a sure path and brings and improves her confidence in her life – a woman’s passion; a woman’s interests; a woman’s attitude; a woman’s character/approach; a woman’s self-concept; a woman’s Lifestyle.
In conclusion, what really is a woman’s lifestyle? This question can only be answered, for a woman, individually.
My answer as a woman should differ from your answer as another woman.
Self-pride, self-happiness and self-respect are important. A woman should determine her lifestyle based on herself. Not on friends, not on the world, not on society, parents or relationships, but on herself. A woman’s lifestyle is broad. The challenges she faces, the storms of life, how she wears her crown, all these are part of her lifestyle. A woman’s lifestyle is a journey, a choice. It can’t just be said or assumed.
A lifestyle that suits her, reflects her and also satisfies her. Only then can that be called a woman’s lifestyle.
One created by her and her alone.
*pixabay license covers for free commercial use and no attribution is required.
What's Your Reaction?
