The Line Between Reality and Instagram Fakery: What Falls Under Lifestyle? (Redefining Lifestyle in a Filtered World)
What falls under lifestyle?: lifestyles is a broad term that encompassed how people live, work, eat, dress, travel, and relate to others, “lifestyle” today often feels like a buzzword reserved for influencers flaunting beach getaways and luxury skincare routines on Instagram.
Let’s face it and be honest with ourselves : the word lifestyle has been hijacked. But what actually falls under lifestyle? And more importantly have we blurred the lines between living authentically and living for the algorithm?
In this article, we dig deep into the real meaning of lifestyle, its categories, and the controversy surrounding its modern misrepresentation.
What Really Falls Under Lifestyle?
Traditionally, lifestyle refers to the way a person lives. It includes their daily habits, social norms, values, interests, and economic level. Under this umbrella, the following categories typically fall under lifestyle:
1. Health and Wellness
This includes physical activity, dietary habits, sleep routines, mental health practices, and overall well-being. Your decision to go vegan, run marathons, or meditate daily all contribute to your lifestyle.
2. Fashion and Personal Style
Fashion is one of the most visible aspects of lifestyle. It reflects personal identity, culture, income level, and even political statements. Think of how dressing modestly vs. flamboyantly speaks volumes without saying a word.
3. Relationships and Social Life
This includes how you interact with family, friends, romantic partners, and even online communities. From parenting styles to the concept of “soft life” dating, your social choices are integral to your lifestyle.
4. Career and Work-Life Balance
Yes, even your profession falls under lifestyle. The digital nomad life, the hustle culture, the 9-to-5 corporate climb all reflect different lifestyle choices.
5. Hobbies and Leisure Activities
Do you travel frequently? Binge-watch K-dramas? Build model airplanes? All these fall under lifestyle. Your hobbies reveal how you spend your time and what you value.
6. Home and Living
Your choice of living in a minimalist apartment vs. a spacious duplex says a lot. This includes interior décor, location preference (urban vs. rural), and even sustainability practices.
7. Spirituality and Beliefs
Religious practices, spiritual paths, or even lack of belief these deeply influence daily routines, values, and life goals.
The Controversy: Is It Real or Just Curated?
Here’s where it gets juicy.
Social media has turned lifestyle into a curated performance. What was once a genuine expression of life choices has morphed into a highlight reel of unattainable standards. Travel influencers don’t show the 8-hour layovers. Fitness gurus don’t post about their cheat days. And those perfect couple photos? Often staged.
This distorted reality has led many to confuse lifestyle with luxury, or worse—equate self-worth with social proof.
Is That Still Lifestyle?
When everything is curated for the camera, does it still count as lifestyle? Or is it content creation disguised as living?
This question strikes at the heart of digital identity and authenticity. If your “morning routine” is filmed under ring lights with sponsored products, is it still your routine—or a commercial?
Why This Matters: Lifestyle Affects Mental Health
The lifestyle lies we consume online have real-world consequences. Studies show that comparing our lives to polished social media feeds increases anxiety, depression, and dissatisfaction.
Imagine a young woman in Lagos seeing influencers in Santorini, London, and Dubai every week. She begins to think her life is boring or unsuccessful—even if she has a stable job, loving family, and a roof over her head. That’s the danger of a distorted lifestyle narrative.
What Should Be Called Lifestyle? A Call for Authenticity
So, what should be considered part of lifestyle?
Daily Routines Whether you wake at 5 a.m. or noon, your routine is valid.
Budget Living Not everyone will live lavishly, and that’s okay.
Cultural Practices Your native food, traditional attire, and festivals all count.
Mental Health Practices Therapy, journaling, or digital detox—these define how you manage your emotional life.
Simple Joys Reading a book, walking your dog, or laughing with family over dinner. That’s real lifestyle.
Let’s normalize showing the whole picture, not just the edited scenes.
Nigeria’s Perspective: Our Lifestyle Isn’t Monolithic
Here in Nigeria, lifestyle varies widely from city hustle in Lagos to serene rural life in Anambra. Yet, global media often portrays a single version of “African lifestyle” usually poverty or opulence, with no middle ground.
But Nigeria’s lifestyle is as diverse as its people:
- Afrobeats and nightlife in Lagos
- Palm wine gatherings in the East
- Tech bros in Yaba hustling to build startups
- Remote workers in Abuja living quietly but comfortably
Let’s start telling our own lifestyle stories truthfully.
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Whatsnextng Thoughts: Lifestyle is What You Live, Not What You Post
Lifestyle isn’t something you can fake for long. It’s not always camera-ready, and that’s what makes it beautiful. Instead of chasing an ideal crafted by others, define what lifestyle means to you.
Is it simplicity? Hustle? Spirituality? Creativity?
Whatever it is make it yours, and live it fully.
Today’s article challenges the modern, social media driven definition of “lifestyle,” arguing that it’s been distorted into a curated performance of luxury and perfection. It explains that true lifestyle includes diverse aspects such as health, fashion, relationships, work, hobbies, home life, and spirituality.
The piece highlights how platforms like Instagram have made many people equate lifestyle with wealth or aesthetics, leading to mental health issues from constant comparison. It urges readers especially Nigerians to embrace authentic, everyday experiences as valid forms of lifestyle, whether it’s tech hustle in Lagos, rural serenity, or local cultural traditions.
Key Points:
- Lifestyle covers daily habits, career, fashion, health, relationships, beliefs, and leisure.
- Social media has glamorized lifestyle, often presenting an unrealistic picture.
- The obsession with “aesthetics” can lead to anxiety and low self-esteem.
- Authentic, culturally diverse Nigerian lifestyles should be celebrated.
- Lifestyle is personal and should reflect your truth—not social media standards.
Bottom line:
Lifestyle is what you live, not what you post.
FAQ – What Falls Under Lifestyle?
Q: Can your job be part of your lifestyle?
A: Absolutely. Your work habits, career choice, and work-life balance are all major lifestyle indicators.
Q: Is being a minimalist a lifestyle?
A: Yes. Minimalism is a lifestyle rooted in intentional living and prioritizing what truly matters.
Q: Do hobbies count as lifestyle?
A: Definitely. How you spend your leisure time says a lot about your lifestyle.
Q: Is lifestyle only about luxury?
A: No! Lifestyle includes all types of living simple, busy, spiritual, artistic, and more.
What’s Next, NG?
Let’s redefine lifestyle together real, raw, and Nigerian.
#LiveYourTruth #WhatsNextNG
