20 Examples of Lifestyle

John Spacey, March 18, 2016 updated on May 11, 2018

Lifestyle is a way of life established by a society, culture, group or individual. This includes patterns of behavior, interaction, consumption, work, activity and interests that describe how a person spends their time. The following are common elements of lifestyle.

Culture

The traditions and shared experiences valued by a group. For example, the holidays, pastimes, music and art that you enjoy.

Norms

Shared expectations of behavior. This includes things like rules of politeness, courtesy and civility that you follow.

Town & Country

The place that you live tends to impact your lifestyle. For example, living in a large cosmopolitan city versus a remote island with an excellent beach.

Work

Your profession and working style. For example, an artist who works at home on their own time versus working on a strict schedule within a system of rules that is beyond your control.

Transport

How you get around. For example, a long commute on a highway that is prone to traffic jams versus someone who can walk to work on a pleasant street.

Consumption

Your behavior as a consumer. For example, a shopaholic versus a minimalist consumer.

Wealth

Your approach to securing financial resources for the future. For example, living below your means to save and invest conservatively versus aggressive spending and/or risk taking.

Peak Experiences

The habit of seeking experiences that you view as personally fulfilling in areas such as travel and adventure.

Personal Reflection

The habit of taking time to explore thoughts and ideas.

Escapism

Enjoying fictional realities such as reading, films, video games and theme parks.

Religion & Spirituality

Participation in an organized religion and/or pursuit of spirituality.

Information

Your patterns of information consumption such as your internet and reading habits. For example, a person who spends 6 hours a day reading fashion blogs can view this as a significant element of their lifestyle.

Health

Your level of health and efforts to stay or become healthy.

Fitness

Your level of physical fitness and activity level including participation in sports and recreation.

Food

How you eat. For example, preparing healthy food at home and viewing meals as a social activity.

Environment

Your experience of nature and your impact on it.

Hobbies & Activities

Your pursuit of interests such as a hobby.

Fashion

How you dress and view fashion.

Social

Social fulfillment in areas such as friendship, community and family.

Social Status

Your status within the community and other groups such as your family, work, profession and cultures. Social status is more than giving the appearance of wealth and can include things like physical appearance or the respect you get as a professional or family member. Lifestyle also includes your attitude towards social status such as the ability to transcend worrying what others think.