Taking a proactive and personal approach to your environment

I believe in taking a proactive and personal approach to my own environment.

Doing so makes me feel relaxed, joyful and authentic. Like I have some modicum of control that’s available in this life.

And it’s always been this way. Ever since I was a kid.

For better or for worse, my relentless individualism and insatiable need to be special, means I refuse to passively accept the scenery of my life. Whenever possible, I customize my surroundings to suit myself.

*If my hotel room layout doesn’t feel comfortable, I move the furniture around. Makes it feel more like home.

*If I am pooping in a crowded public bathroom, I launch the playlist on my phone to relax and distract me. Feels like there’s a bubble of personal space in an otherwise communal environment.

*If I buy some new moisture wicking workout shirt, I cut a slit in the neck. Gives me extra breathing room and less restriction while exercising.

*If I travel to a foreign country with questionable food hygiene, I pack a large bag of nuts and raisins. Ensures safe and reliable sustenance, and reduces my dependency on the limited local options.

My list could go on for hours. You get the point. Making it mine is kind of my thing.

Now, this might sound like anal retentiveness or obsessive compulsion, but it’s simpler than that.

The goal in each situation is enhancing my personal wellbeing and effectiveness by tailoring my surroundings. There’s nothing dysfunctional about that.

And what’s interesting is, a high percentage of people would refrain from making such modifications.

Several reasons come to mind, the first of which is fear.

People are concerned about how they will be perceived by others. Being the one person using a poop playlist in a public bathroom is unconventional and eccentric.

Who does that? It’s weird. Why submit yourself to social judgment? Just drop the turd and be on your way.

Another barrier to making it yours is the risk aversion.

People worry about the consequences of their modifications. Because what if you cut the neckline and damage the shirt? What if you cause irreversible changes to the garment? What if the shirt looks amateur and people stare?

Some people would rather preserve the integrity of a piece of polyester than meet their own style and comfort needs.

Here’s something else to think about. Social norms.

Nobody wants to stand out. The vast majority of people are going to, by default, match in lockstep with the culture around them. It’s easier and safer than creating a world that reflects their true taste. Especially in public spaces.

Finally, there’s the hassle and effort.

Any type of modification requires planning. For example, in my travel bag, I keep a pair of foam elbow pads. This is a game changer for long flights or train rides, when I’m competing for personal space with the person next to me.

It’s a small accessory, but the administrative and emotional overhead makes the strategy far less appealing. Because bringing along any kind of extra accessory requires purchasing the product, making additional parking space, potentially adding a layer of complication to security screening, even creating the perception of over preparedness.

It’s easier to spend seven hours in discomfort.

All of this to say, it’s understandable why the practice of making it mine isn’t widely adopted. Fear, risk aversion, social norms, hassle and effort, these are powerful forces influencing behavior.

So it all boils down to preference.

Is it important for you to let your true self be reflected in all aspects of your life? Do you want to create a world that reflects your unique taste?

I think the answer is yes across the board. All human beings have an innate desire to express their true selves. The drive to reflect one’s identity in their surroundings is a common underlying motivation.

And in my experience, it leads to greater satisfaction.

Maybe you don’t know until you try it once or twice, but once you start building systems that support your unique approach to living, it’s hard to go back.