"Your Lifestyle Has Already Been Designed" Blog Response

One article that highly bothered me while reading it was “Your Lifestyle Has Already Been Designed” due to the correlation between this article and the potential it has to be describing my future.  I am in a stage of my life where I am forming my future and deciding who I want to be.  I don’t want to live life in a pre-designed cycle, repeating each day as the same with no spontaneity, fun, excitement or true worth. After traveling to Japan as a Student Ambassador, I saw firsthand the variance in cultures that exist in the world and how different people’s lives and values are. There is so much more to the world than most people - especially Americans - realize. Living in Japan for a month made me realize that I want to travel the world and get out of my comfort zone, explore new cultures, live differently and see the world. In addition, it made me want to go to college out of state; somewhere I hadn't been yet, with different people, culture and atmosphere; outside of what I knew. College is an opportunity and time to learn not only in an educational setting to prepare me for my career, but to learn who I am and who I want to be. This article made me rethink all of these various aspects of my life, and reevaluate where I am in relation to where I want to be.

As the author of this article discussed his life, how it was on vacation versus at home while working made me think about what I want my life to be. What is truly important to you in life? Is it money? Is it happiness? I want to live life in a way that makes no regrets, my life, not a pre-designed cycle. The author goes on to describe how he has more free time while on vacation, and spends less money - even in more expensive countries. Why is that? While one has a steady income, they then know that money will eventually “grow back” soon, unlike while on vacation where money is not quite a “renewable resource.” In addition, while on vacation one has more free time compared to when working. “It seems I got much more for my dollar when I was traveling. Why?” If one is working full time - 40hrs a week - and has responsibilities at home to take care of; then his/her free time is automatically significantly reduced. Therefore, one is much more likely to spend money during available free time to make it “worth it.” This unnecessary spending has been embedded into the culture of Americans (and in the authors case, Canadians too.) It seems if one has less time, the more money he/she spends, but when there is more time, he/she spends less money. What does that seem to say about money buying happiness? It’s quite contradictory at that point to truly believe that money can make one’s life truly happy.

At this point, life then becomes a game of buying products for psychological reasons, rather than usefulness. “You can manipulate consumers into wanting, and therefore buying, your products. It’s a game.” This is according to Lucy Hughes, co-creator of “The Nag Factor.” When people are then spending money on their free time, activities such as reading, walking, writing, meditating, knitting or other wholesome activities seems less “productive” because they come at no cost. Why is that? According to Parkinson’s Law, the more time one has been given to do something, the longer it will take him/her to do it. The same goes for money, “the more we make, the more we spend.” This is a lifestyle that has been designed. Corporations don’t cut shifts as technology advances; rather keep shifts to ensure people are being consumers with their free time. When people get raises, they often increase their standard of living. It’s an interesting cycle to ponder the way in which it has been designed, whom it has been designed by, and who it is designed for.

So how does this fit with your life? It made me think about mine, and still does. I wonder where I fit in this cycle as I’m going through school and entering this designed world. How can I get to live a happy life that doesn't depend on buying free time to stay happy? Prioritization and self-initiation seem important in designing my own life. These are important points to remember as we (this STSH class) continue through college and begin to enter the working world.