VALUES – THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU
When you think about the things you value the most in your life, you’re thinking about your values. Values reflect the things you believe are right and personally worth living by. They influence our choices. It is easier to make decisions and set goals when you know your values.
When you live in line with your values, even everyday life feels more meaningful. So, it’s good to stop and think about the most important things to you in life.
Values can be
- valuable human experiences: nature, friendship, love…
- appreciation for goods, skills, status…
- ideals: honesty, equality, respect for life…
- classical values: truth, kindness, justice…
Values don’t have to sound lofty or be something big and specific. The most important thing about values is that they are meaningful to you. Good food, friends, or family can be your values, just like education, nature conservation, honesty, or tolerance. Your values are your personal views. They cannot be a topic of contention with others.
Some values may be stronger than others, and sometimes, values may conflict. Nor should you compare one value with another, because no value is more right or valuable than another.
ARE THERE THINGS IN YOUR DAILY LIFE THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Check sometimes whether your life is in line with your values. If you think health is the number one thing in life, do you cherish it with your daily choices? Does it get the weight it deserves, or is something else competing for your attention?
Often, we may do things out of habit or according to the expectations of others. Life also involves a certain number of unpleasant things or responsibilities that you don’t always feel like doing. Living according to your values can also create situations where you experience a conflict between, for example, health and a desire for comfort. Despite these situations, you can live a life in accordance with your values.
When you recognise your needs and values, you can make changes in your daily life that support wellbeing. This makes life feel meaningful and important. Your mood will be lifted, and you will feel responsible for your own wellbeing. At the same time, you’re telling yourself you’re important and worth investing in.