Having grown up in Italy and Germany, attending international schools and finally moving to the United Kingdom, I have learned to keep an open mind. Customs differ from one country to another due to culture, climate, religion and politics. Customs also differ through time, what was unacceptable or acceptable years or centuries ago is seen differently today.
To address the challenges faced by the world we need different lifestyles that find happiness and satisfaction without destructive side-effects. We should think deeply and question social, family, religious expectations and reject the pressures to conform to inappropriate and outdated standards. Just because nearly everyone does something does not make it beneficial to oneself and our global community.
Change takes thought but also time. It is easy to feel locked in a way of thinking and doing and often difficult to change. And once change is planned it always takes longer than one hopes to actually implement it. My transition away from an impactful lifestyle was not easy but nonetheless exciting, rewarding and resulted in a huge improvement in my quality of life.