From the homes we live in to the books and news we read, external forces are at play in shaping who we are.
I strongly believe in personal agency. We all possess the ability to shape our lives in powerful ways and carry a great responsibility for what we do with our time on this Earth.
One of my biggest revelations over the past five years of writing has been realizing how important our environments are in shaping the people we become. This is not to say that we’re always at the mercy of forces outside our control—although I believe that’s sometimes the case. It just means that our biggest choice is often how we structure our environments.
What do I mean by “environment”? To me, it’s a multi-layered word that includes our physical surroundings, our relationships, and the ideas that we surround ourselves with. These forces combined exert tremendous pressure on us, whether we realize it or not.
As a silly example, imagine finding yourself on a basketball court with a rack of basketballs—what are you likely to start doing? Now imagine you’re dropped off in a beautiful Gothic cathedral that’s quiet and calm—what will you do there? Those two places are quite different, and they encourage you toward different activities.
Subtle Ways Our Environment Shapes Us
Buildings Can Affect Our Stress Levels
The structure of our homes encourages the kinds of activities we do in them. A beautiful and comfortable common area, for example, draws people toward it and may lead to a stronger sense of community. Even further, the characteristics of buildings can affect how we feel—large windows, tall ceilings, and natural materials make me feel less stressed and more at ease than does a cramped, dark room.Weather Can Affect Your Time Outdoors
People who live in climates with good weather year-round are more likely to take up outdoor hobbies. The rain, on the other hand, is likely to keep most people indoors. On a personal level, every winter, my wife and I complain about January’s gray, damp weather in our home state of Pennsylvania and how we feel it brings down our mood.Built Environment Can Dictate How Much You Walk
I grew up in a rural area where every errand, chore, or get-together involved jumping in a car and driving somewhere. It really wasn’t until I studied abroad in England for half a year that I realized how different things could be. Staying in the Cotswold town of Cheltenham, with its beautiful streets, compact design, and great public transportation, naturally meant many miles of walking each day. Walking felt like a natural and enjoyable part of life there.Your Peers Encourage Your Level of Ambition
Spend enough time around slackers, and you’ll eventually be looking for ways to avoid work. On the other hand, hang around go-getters, and you’ll start seeing challenges and hard work in a completely new light. The power of peer pressure shapes what we value. When I joined the cross-country team in high school, I was inspired by my older teammates and their passion and knowledge of the sport. The key is to surround yourself with people already going in the direction that you hope to go.Your Community Is Where You’ll Likely Find a Spouse
Choosing to go to college in a town nearly two hours from where I grew up profoundly affected my life. It meant being surrounded by a completely new group of friends, unlike the one I had grown up with, and, in turn, it affected the pool of people from which I would meet my future spouse. My life would have been far different had I stayed in my hometown—another example of the power of our environment on our lives.The Books You Read Shape Your Values
I’ve written before about the books that have most shaped my worldview. I know this isn’t the case for everyone, but for me, books were my portal into worlds and ideas that I would have never encountered otherwise. Everything from my faith and identity to my hobbies and intuitions has been deeply influenced by the words of authors whom I’ve never met in person. These books were just another aspect of the environment that influenced me as a young man and into adulthood.The News You Read Changes Your View of Reality
In this day and age of extreme political polarization, it can feel as if people live in two different realities, even when they supposedly argue about facts. This comes down to the information bubbles that so many of us live in. We read only news that supports our personal beliefs, and most of us share ideas with those who are similar to us. I honestly don’t know the solution to this—it’s complicated. But it’s clear to me that this is a powerful force in shaping our view of the world and ourselves within it.
Copy
