Values + decision making = who we are (Identity!)
Welcome back to part 3 of the Identity Series. I am excited to help you figure out how your value system helps you make decisions.
Some examples of what we value and how it impacts our decision making:
- Someone who values being on time will make a decision to reflect that
- A person who values education decides to go to school
- Someone who values being healthy might eat better and work out more
See where I’m going with this?
This is why it’s hard for some teenagers to want to sit down and do homework because, at this age in their life, their peers are more important. Therefore are more into being on Snapchat or watching Netflix than completing their homework. Their parents might then identify them as being lazy or care more about their friends than school. Which, might be true at that age! Teens and even adults can get lost in life because they have lost a sense of self or their values have not been set in stone which then impacts their decision making. It’s why some of us can get caught up in a bad decision sometimes.
It’s important to know who we are and why we do the things that we do.
When we lose that sense of self it can lead to depressive feelings or anxiety. Consequently, it can also lead to poor decision making which might not reflect who we are. Having a strong self of self will help guide us on this crazy journey called life.
We should check in with ourselves to challenge our thinking, and think about some of these identity questions: Does this choice reflect who I am? Does this choice reflect what I want in life? How I see myself or want to be seen? Answering these questions and being honest will help us all get to make healthier decisions.
That’s it! Our identity is made up of our values and decisions.
It sounds simple enough but so many of us get lost along the way. Once we know who we are and make those decisions based on our own values and not on anyone else, we start the path toward being healthier and happier! Good luck everyone and remember, you can always ask for help on the way!
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