Ready for the New Year? 5 Key Areas for Self-Improvement [Culture and Society]

Some of the most fascinating experiences occur when two people with different backgrounds interact. The experience might be frustrating, enlightening, embarrassing, surprising, or comical. In many ways, our differences and similarities are on display daily; so much so that the ordinary, mundane moments might escape our notice. Would you ever think of accepting a snack or meal when visiting someone – even if you have no appetite? How about planning a wedding that lasts more than one day? Or maybe, consider greeting someone. Do you perform a handshake, kiss on the cheek, or bow?

Whether these scenarios have crossed your mind, they accentuate our experiences. We share our story and the story of those who influence us through each action and interaction. The resulting bonds we build with others shape us and profoundly impact our view of ourselves and the world around us. These aspects of life, and others, become categorized as “familiar” and “normal” or “bizarre” and “alien.” Ultimately, each experience originates from a common thread known as culture.

Now, let's set a clear expectation in the spirit of preparation. This article does not have the capacity to unpack culture in its entirety. There will be discussions and topics that leave something to be desired during our exploration of culture and its relative, society. However, I believe generalization will provide us a mental reset for these saturated concepts.

Is there more to Culture and Society?

Culture defines every part of our lives, ranging from lifestyles to beliefs, and affecting the most minute behaviors – as trivial as entering or leaving the house. You might interpret culture as the equivalent of understanding content and context (as discussed in the stress management article) or the culmination of communication and connection (as explored in the relationship health article). Culture gives meaning to each part of life in a way that few other concepts do. That meaning, or Zeitgeist, is often most identifiable within the idiosyncrasies of cultural and societal subgroups.

A common, yet polarizing, example is food. What makes for an authentic ___________ meal? How is ___________ food served? Are there staples common across every meal or specific foods reserved for a time of day? Greater than these details is the preparation of the food: taste, ingredients, length of cooking time, etc. I value big meals. The Italian part of me is attuned to a multi-course meal containing specific types of food that should be served at different points; the American part of me does not discriminate between a meal that unfolds across multiple courses and a meal with a lot of food. Knowing these parts of myself may not revolutionize my life, but this example plays a role in self-improvement. I can recognize nuanced patterns within my life by understanding influences from the culture I was raised in as well as connecting with the predominant culture around me.

The related topic of society further solidifies the connection between culture, health, and well-being. Society is made up of diverse and unique individuals joined by common bonds, which creates the systems that exist in daily life. For better or worse, these systems are regularly created to form and organize a broad group. Society is the vehicle by which culture is promoted, where similarities and differences highlight accomplishments, challenges, and growth.

For instance, Western Culture seems to generally promote health and well-being as a process of removing illness, weakness, and other impediments in life. The results are then measured against standards of healthiness and wellness. This approach is not without its shortcomings, yet it manages to prioritize growth and change. Shifts in society further moderate our views on health and well-being, such as governmental policies and scientific research. Overall, we can refine our preparation for the new year by understanding the roles culture and society play in our lives.

Something Tangible

How do we examine the impact of culture and society as we prepare for the new year? Both concepts regularly affect our identity, beliefs, and purpose in life. Try these steps:

1. Start by thinking about who you are and build confidence in this perspective. Remember that we do not exist in a vacuum, and support is available from trained professionals and established social groups. Seeking support can enhance self-exploration.

2. Then, explore your beliefs and trust in what you stand for. Go beyond your own perspective to broaden your experiences within the world too. Aligning with like-minded people is good but alienating ourselves from those who differ can limit our experiences and understanding, especially when considering the diversity of our world.

3. Lastly, determine the direction of your life and envision necessary steps to move toward an end goal. The final article of the health and well-being series will focus on this step, so stay tuned.

Closer to Home

Taking note of culture and society may seem obvious. We gain countless experiences from family, friends, and local communities, including our immediate access to nearly every occurrence worldwide. So we should be aware, right? Yes and no. This unfettered access provides opportunities to connect but can lead to burnout, which relegates culture and society to being white noise. Preparing for the new year with culture and society in mind is about understanding and owning our relationship with external influences. Moreover, we shape and are shaped through the similarities and differences of our backgrounds. (There’s a “nature versus nurture” debate brewing somewhere here, but I digress.)

Here is the takeaway. Health and well-being become clearer when we can confidently nail down what these concepts mean. Greater self-improvement can occur when we actively learn about our backgrounds. Culture and society are not vague, removed, and untouchable ideas; they are a part of us. We may differ in culture and social location, but our differences make for an interesting, worthwhile life. Continue examining how culture and society look in your life and make this year richer than ever before!