Our values shape the lives we live. They guide our decisions, influence our relationships, and help us navigate the complexities of the modern world. But not all values hold the same weight. Some are foundational, providing stability and structure, while others are furnishing, adding joy and color to our lives. Understanding the difference and learning how to prioritize them is the essence of sorting your values.
At its core, sorting is about identifying and clarifying what truly matters to you. It’s the process of reflecting on the principles that guide your life and recognizing which values are critical to your well-being and which ones enhance your life only when the essentials are in place.
Values act as a compass, pointing you toward a life of meaning and fulfillment.
By sorting your values, you can align your actions with your deepest priorities, creating a life that feels authentic and purposeful.
Foundations: The Core of Your Psychological Home
Imagine your life as a home. The foundational values are like the walls, roof, and floor; they hold the structure together and provide the stability needed to weather life’s storms.
These values remain constant, acting as a psychological shelter even when the “furnishings” of life change or fade. Foundational values might include:
Connection: Building and maintaining meaningful relationships with others.
Integrity: Acting in alignment with your beliefs and principles.
Purpose: Having a sense of direction and contributing to something larger than yourself.
Without these core elements, the “house” of your life can feel unstable, no matter how beautifully decorated it is. For instance, you might really love the metaphorical “cushions” of your life, such as hobbies or entertainment, but without a solid “roof” or “floor” of meaningful relationships or a sense of purpose, these pleasures can lose their meaning.
Sorting helps us identify these foundational values, allowing us to focus our energy on what provides true stability and fulfillment.
Furnishings: Enhancing the Experience
While foundational values provide stability, furnishing values bring richness and enjoyment to our lives. Furnishing values can be likened to the decor, furniture, and accents in your home. They add beauty, comfort, and individuality, but they rely on the strength of the foundation to truly shine.
Examples of furnishing values include:
Fun: Engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation.
Hobbies: Pursuing creative or recreational interests.
Material Comforts: Enjoying possessions or experiences that enhance your daily life.
Furnishing values are deeply enjoyable but only if the foundational ones are in place. For example, having fun might feel empty if you’re struggling with loneliness or lack of direction. Similarly, material comforts lose their luster if they aren’t anchored by meaningful connections or personal integrity.
Why Sorting Your Values Matters
Sorting your values isn’t about choosing one set of values over the other—it’s about understanding their roles in your life. It’s about ensuring that your foundation is strong so that the furnishings can thrive. This process helps you:
Prioritize what truly matters.
Make decisions that align with your core principles.
Create a sense of balance between stability and enjoyment.
Reflecting on your values can be a transformative experience. Ask yourself:
What values form the foundation of my life?
Which furnishing values bring me joy but depend on the foundational ones to feel meaningful?
Here is a short explanatory video with Ric on Sorting - Clarifying Your Values
Building Your Psychological Home
At The Harvest Clinic, we understand that life can feel overwhelming when values are unclear or misaligned. Our team is here to help you explore and sort your values, providing guidance and support as you build a life that feels authentic, stable, and fulfilling.
By identifying and prioritizing your foundational and furnishing values, you can create a “psychological home” that is both secure and full of life’s joys. After all, every home deserves a solid foundation and beautiful furnishings to make it truly your own.
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