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Lifestyle Design-Construisez la vie dont vous rêvez!






Hi everyone, Musulyn, aka The Helping Healer, and I'm back with another updated post! Today we will be examining the subject of lifestyle design. Now I know last blog post, I got vulnerable and opened up to you guys about my healthy eating and lifestyle journey. But despite that 22-minute read, some of you guys were still in my DMs inquiring about the details! More so what I had done step by step to cultivate my life physically. I realize I only told you (to all who read) what propelled me on this journey, what I had learned during those times and essentially my WHY.


However, to be quite honest with you all. I don't believe anything was of my doing when it came to re-building my life. I truly thank God for helping me put everything into perspective by helping me understand my story and showing me limitless mercy when I found it hard to be kind to myself. I won't lie; I do still struggle. But not as much as I use to. I am at peace with my experiences, choices and decisions.


I learned about Lifestyle design, shortly after I graduated high school in between my transition to college. I started learning what Selflove, Manifestation and what The Law of Attraction was thanks to YouTubers Dr.Michelle, Isabella Palacios and LoveYourNatural. When I initially learned about this topic, I had an epiphany to choose my happiness and path genuinely. And not the one chosen for me.


I remember one time, after an exam that left me feeling horribly depleted and mentally tortured, I had a nervous breakdown and ran away from campus. I was beyond frustrated with how stagnant and chaotic my life seemingly was. And I was just so mean to myself. I was frustrated with how dumb I thought I was, yet I was immensely fearful about conforming to the fundamental norms laid out by those around me.

After speaking with my Grandmother and later my counsellor about the things I found challenging to deal with in my life, My counsellor recommended I start reading more books and more faith endowed texts to ease my heart. But gain a grander perspective to situations I otherwise would never have known how to analyze.


So one day, I decided to try this whole Self-Love and Selfcare thing and took a bus ride to Indigo bookstore searching for a couple of motivational reads.


I purchased The Power of Now By Echort Tolle and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Both books looking back were what I needed at the time to help me shift my thought patterns and self-awareness. Because truthfully, I was addicted to negative thinking.


As I read and put the lessons each book offered into practice, I noticed an instant and striking change in how I began to see not only myself but a positive shift in my thought process and habits.


Those books directed me to read hundreds of other books that shifted my perspective for the better


The truth and wisdom embedded within these books initiated a lust in me to learn as much as I could about mindful living, meditation, and monetary freedom so I could take my power back.


I mean, nothing helped as much as my faith.


Still 19, I experienced yet another crucial awakening during that time.

But listen, I don't want to give you some bullshit hippy-dippy, LIVE LOVE' LAUGH nonsense still; I will grant you the cheat code because you ask politely.


I'm not going to make this post long like the other. And I'm certainly not going to ask for your money by distributing this piece of information. Most people spend hundreds of dollars for self-help advice, the best healers, and life coaches only to find themselves still lost without direction or vision in the end. The term "lifestyle design" might seem like spiritual new-age mumbo-jumbo (as described by other bloggers), yet Lifestyle design applies to each of us. It doesn't matter if you're buying a new home or wardrobe. You are looking for the best guru, to the latest self-development book, Instagram or the Pinterest sphere. Conceptual ideas of Lifestyle Design are in all features of our lives (ex, the phone model you are currently using, the car you drive and my website you're reading this excerpt on). "Design" has made our modern world possible. Yet, most people don't know how to manipulate or entertain the thought of designing their ideal lifestyles. Too many of us are unfortunately stuck in "survival mode" due to societal conditioning, scarce thinking or simply the lack of motivation. Some would say that the whole Lifestyle movement is the new black, and I don't doubt that one bit. I see so many folks jumping on the bandwagon as they fuel their curiosity and desire to live well-adjusted lives.


but if the term lifestyle design leaves a bad taste in your mouth, you might as well call it "finding your purpose." Or your " WHY."

The hype around this concept began with Tim Ferriss's inspirational book, titled Four Hour Work Week, which focuses on the mentality of becoming part of the newly affluent and location-independent Lifestyles ( Which is the ability to live and work in your conditions, wherever you want without being tied to a specific geographic location).


After reading this book, I took it upon myself to learn more about location-independent lifestyles and the rest of the Lifestyle types and after I did so. I had a hard time stomaching how many frauds lurk on Instagram and YouTube, taking advantage of vulnerable people who want to live better lives. I'm not afraid to say that I am somewhat over the whole lifestyle design movement because of this.


In the sense that anyone (regardless if they are credible or not) can dish out advice.


I'm here for people living their best lives and encouraging others to do the same, but I'm sick of hearing life advice from people who I believe barely even have their own lives in order. I mean, don't get me wrong. I will still listen to public figures such as Tim Ferriss, Lisa and Billy Bilyeu, Jay Shetty, Dr.Michelle, Isabela Palacios or Hindz. Follow Sahara Rose religiously (because we stan a Queen). Read the self-help books Eckhart Tolle puts out, and heck, I'll still journal in my Desire Map and listen to Michelle Phan or Lilly Singh speak about the blood and sweat it took to build their brand.

But what I won't do is listen to those who are trying to make a quick buck telling people they are lacking or the typical " Grind & hustle" spiel (as though everyone else that hasn't "made it" yet is just sitting on their ass or mindlessly working).


I'm weary of being lied to every time I scroll through my stories about how all my dreams will be realized when I become yet another washed-up internet one-hit-wonder. And I have no apprehensions that you presumably are too.


I'm sure, like anybody whos above 25, You more than likely have done some self-development work or lifestyle modification. And if you've already crossed that bridge, you're probably getting sick and tired of hearing kids who just came out of post-secondary tell you how to design your life.


Because I certainly am. (-_-)



My lifestyle design is unique and customizable to my experiences, so I can't tell you or other people what specific path to take, what is right or wrong, or heck even condemn you for what you aren't doing. I can only help guide you to make the right decisions, but ultimately, you can determine that for yourself.

By studying the definition, it becomes apparent that Lifestyle is a combination of physical determinants in the way we live.


The meaning is different for everyone. However, defining one's Lifestyle is to observe the affairs, beliefs, habits, and behavioural familiarization of an individual, group, or culture.


The widespread sense is simply a "way or style of living."


For myself, I have come to see lifestyle design as the blueprint for living a self-directed life. For me, it's about being autonomous and building a lifestyle around purposeful work by striving to live every aspect in complete alignment with your values, strengths and needs. It's about designing your life the way you desire by clarifying what you want and patiently manifesting that vision into reality as you reclaim your time by helping others along the way.






What "Design" Proposes

Lifestyle design allows for infinite new possibilities to take place in one's life. The most significant benefit of lifestyle design is the liberation from traditional expectations of taxing workloads.






Who are lifestyle designers?

Lifestyle designers are not sheep, or negative people.


As much as I'm tired of hearing scammers give out life advice or someone's little cousin who just completed grade 12, one thing they preach rings true. Lifestyle designers are not pessimists, nor are they part of the herd. They lead and are not lead to the same boring things as everyone else. They are the ones who separate from the rest of society to achieve greater aspirations and dreams. Sheep don't become lifestyle designers, respectively. They typically fall into someone else's design plan. And usually, gain nothing from it but a couple of paychecks or a basic living wage.


Lifestyle designers make it their mission to live life on purpose, with purpose.

With myself, as I mentioned in my healthy eating and lifestyle journey post. What propelled me on my journey essentially was that I got tired of my bullshit and the negativity I was consciously allowing in my life.


I noticed with Lifestyle designers in this respect they aren't the trolls from your home town who are still talking smack on Twitter while doing the same redundant things you left them doing. Or the negative Nancie's who shit on your dreams every time you confide in them.


Lifestyle designers are not complainers, energy vampires or negative people, nor do they allow that energy type in their midst. They believe in themselves enough to call out their toxicity while striving to do better.


While the average Joe spends about 6+hours a day consuming useless content, lifestyle designers devote their time to connect with their environment and those around them. Unlike some people who consume unnecessary information and destructively compare their life to others. Someone who makes an intentional decision to design their lives knows that if there's a strategy in place and quotidian judgment is actively made with the end vision in mind, the whole notion that the grass is greener on the other side ceases to exist.

Lifestyle designers know that one must be clear about what they need and want in their lives to prosper. Resentfully watching other people live their best lives isn't very productive, nor will it get you closer to your goals. The aforementioned is true because it wasn't until I got seriously clear about the direction I wanted to take that the game changed. My life became more fulfilling and whole.


Although I suffered greatly & I spent countless nights worrying if I had a future.


I had to believe in myself.


I made a calculated plan, and my outline went as such:

1st, it begins with sketching a picture of your ideal life. Typically speaking, this will include your Education, means of livelihood, and how you choose to spend your time and resources. How you decide to tackle conflict and frustrations, and the things you know can be doing better for yourself.

2nd, You'll need to try new experiences, often untested things and see how it goes to determine what works for you. As you experiment, have fun and release all attachments and expectations.


Just vibe with it.

For example, in summer 2020, I was bouncing from Province to Province with no single care in the world. I had work, then lost my job and didn't know what to do (like many of you, I'm sure). It was stressful. Like beyond stressful, So I said screw it and decided that I needed a cleanse of some sort and went off the grid for two weeks. I came back renewed. Even though after lockdown, The Rona was a-brewing. I took risks I didn't allow this pandemic to prevent. I and my compadres drove all over the rocks. From Edmonton to Calgary to Abraham Lake. Canmore, Banff, Jasper, the enchanted forest, Okanogan, Vancouver and back.

Haters would call that entire road trip an irresponsible waste. But when you've driven from your home city and made several pit stops in every single district, small town, or hostile while camping in the bush or a mountainside for a week or two, crossing over into the next province. Then you can speak critically on the manner. But if you haven't tried something as brave as that, there's no need to be apprehensive.

Try it for yourself. You'll find more respect for life's offerings. Because I sure did.


Don't knock something or someone else's experiences until you try it for yourself.


Trial and error, my friends. What do you have to lose?


My mother always said that there were no such things as failure. And the man who is open to life takes risks. It is He who will come out the most equipped to handle life's everyday demands and anxieties because he tries.



I could not agree more.


These days, most people don't always consider taking radical risks or failure as an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. We need to realize that failure and risk-taking are just another lesson added to our experience and knowledge base that takes us closer to our end goal.


Is Lifestyle Design For Everyone?


I believe that anyone can become a lifestyle designer and take ownership of their lives. As humans, we seek meaning in life. Every individual has the potential to live their best life. But not everyone can gather the courage, discipline, or Patience required to do so.


That's where the problem remains.


So how does one gather that kind of audacious courage and discipline to design their ideal life and live it?


It starts with the defining significance of what your why is, and again, with anything you want to begin, you must set the right intentions and surrender to what you cannot control. And focus on what it is that you can handle. The only thing you have control over is yourself, and I wholeheartedly mean this. Once you own your emotions, time, and resources, you become powerful. And the world becomes yours.


The point is that Lifestyle design is about examining your life and your goals and thinking unconventionally about how to make things possible now instead of later or letting society construct it for you.


Because baby, let me tell you something. Trust me when I say the community does not care. They do, and they don't. Like individual communities, sure, but society as a whole does not give a f*CK about you or me. That's why to design one's life; you have to challenge the prevailing status quo that teaches us to become modern-day slaves.


Lifestyle design is not the system. It's far from it.


For those who want to get started now, I would suggest You get clear on what you are good at, what brings you the most joy naturally, and how you can challenge yourself to go after what you desire, even if it's the simple things in life.

Here is a basic guideline if you are seemingly stuck on where to begin:

  • Reflection. Take the time to ask yourself if you're happy in your current situation. Are you in the life you wanted? If you could design your ideal life, how would you do it? How would it look? Who are your friends, Where do you spend your free time, What frustrates you? How can you design your life that allows room for self-expression and conflict resolution? You can't create your life unless you know what you do and do not want.

  • Planning. Once you know what you want, it's time to plan the steps to get you there. Some of the steps will probably require new skills and adapting, producing a couple of income streams where you can, and taking risks. But between you and I, not taking the risk is perhaps the most detrimental risk you can take.

(I use The desire map to plan, the Making Everything Easier for Dummies and Millionaire Teacher as my primary guide.)



  • Lastly, it would be best if you took Action.

Like now.


Make it happen, people!!!!

In conclusion, the way I see it, everyone can use lifestyle design at its most basic level. We all have different definitions of contentment and success, and the whole point of lifestyle design is to define it for yourself, then work to achieve it.


However, Lifestyle design is for serious players, not the cynical folks or happy conforming to ideals made to gatekeep them like sheep.


If you decide to go for it, you're investing the rest of your life, accepting failure as the most natural thing in the world, becoming adaptive, strategic and decisive.


With my journey, from where I was to where I am right now, take it from me; dreaming goes a long way. Lifestyle design can help you exercise your will when you follow your heart and clarify the vision. Your job is simple — know your past, live in the present, and hope for your future. Own your story, dare to walk it, act with virtue, relax about things that are not under your control. And become the main character you are!


The key to peace is becoming an active participant in your life.


If you have uncertainties, I'm yet another soul to assure you:


Life is what you make it.


Your life is your own. You have the right to do the things you love and experiencing the joy that comes with it.


Suppose you succeed in getting out of the system at an early stage and ruthlessly follow a direction of your own. You'll not only get far; you'll get even further than that because of the trail you blazed for yourself and the example you set for those around you. 🙂 To live life on your terms, you'll have to investigate everything other people or society has told you.


I'll leave you off with this set of questions.


What's your definition of lifestyle design? What torments you, And how can you challenge yourself within the next month or start designing your ideal life? There are two kinds – the Life you choose or the Life that chooses you. Which one do you aspire to? The choice is yours.


Comment below if you would like. I'm curious to know.



As always, I am humbled to share.


Until the next post, please take care.



To Read More About Lifestyle Design, Follow the links cited below.


Citations: What Is Lifestyle Design (And What It's Not). https://letsreachsuccess.com/what-is-lifestyle-design/

What is lifestyle design? – BecomeNomad. https://becomenomad.com/lifestyle-design/

What Is Lifestyle Design? – Designing Your Life For Freedom. https://designepiclife.com/what-is-lifestyle-design/

What is Lifestyle Design? - Fizzle. https://fizzle.co/what-is-lifestyle-design/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdItbrmya9I&ab_channel=LaTishaStyles



 
 
 

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