In the busy and noisy modern society, there is a clear divergence in people's pursuit of lifestyle. Some people hope to live out a "form," pursuing external success and a glamorous social status; while others believe that the goal of life is to live out a "flavor," focusing on inner peace and the essence of life. Van Gogh's classic description—that people can be divided into those who live out a "form" and those who live out a "flavor"—reflects two distinctly different choices in people's life goals and value orientations. The "form" and "flavor" referred to by Van Gogh are not merely two extremes, but rather a life attitude that people adopt when faced with diverse choices. Everyone may waver and weigh between "form" and "flavor" at different stages of life. Exploring how to choose one's lifestyle is not only an understanding of personal pursuits but also an interpretation of the essence of life.

Many people choose to live out a "form" because they firmly believe that external achievements and success are indispensable measures of life. "Form" represents external recognition, a symbol of status, and a glamorous facade of life. Those who live out a "form" are more willing to care about others' opinions of themselves, packaging themselves with a successful image, and gaining a sense of belonging and satisfaction through symbols of material and social status. By striving to pursue "form," they achieve career breakthroughs, accumulate wealth, and even expand their influence, as if only in this way can they demonstrate the value of life. This type of person is often full of ambition and aspirations, turning external expectations into motivation for self-advancement, and satisfying their inner needs through the process of constantly chasing goals.

However, the simple pursuit of "form" can also bring inevitable limitations. As life progresses, many people find that overly caring about external glamour and others' opinions may lead to a loss of focus on their true needs. In order to gain social recognition, they often neglect their inner selves, and even gradually lose themselves in the process of meeting others' expectations. Although this lifestyle brings external success, it does not necessarily lead to true happiness. Many people feel empty and anxious in their busy lives, and even begin to question the meaning of their pursuits, yearning to find a lifestyle with more intrinsic value. Thus, some people start to reflect on whether, in pursuing "form," they have overlooked their inner true needs and gradually deviated from their original life intentions.

In contrast, those who pursue living out a "flavor" are more willing to focus on inner satisfaction and unique life experiences. For them, the value of life is not necessarily reflected in external status and wealth, but in finding their own rhythm of life through the accumulation of daily experiences. They seek a kind of inner peace, enjoying maintaining a calm mind in a complicated world, treating life with tranquility, not going with the flow, and not being swayed by trends. Such people often maintain a simple lifestyle, fully enjoying the small joys in life, cherishing time spent with family and friends, and savoring opportunities to connect with nature. For them, the meaning of life lies in rich inner experiences and continuous exploration of the self, rather than external evaluations and recognition.

Pursuing "flavor" does not mean being passive or lazy, but rather represents another way of understanding life. It emphasizes gaining satisfaction through inner experiences and living a unique life through one's own perceptions and understandings. People who pursue "flavor" typically do not care whether the external halo is dazzling; they focus more on self-growth and inner peace. This attitude towards life helps them find a unique rhythm, whether in the busy urban life or in the tranquil countryside, they can find inner peace. Choosing "flavor" is a lifestyle oriented towards inner satisfaction, bringing not only a stable mindset but also a calm and composed attitude towards life.

In real life, living out a "form" and a "flavor" are not completely opposing choices. Many people find that a balance between the two can lead to true satisfaction. In the process of pursuing external achievements, moderately paying attention to inner needs can help people find a sense of tranquility amidst busy lives. Similarly, those focused on "flavor" might also benefit from some external achievements to reflect their self-worth. Pursuing "form" can bring tangible achievements, while pursuing "flavor" provides spiritual satisfaction. Finding a balance between external achievements and inner peace is the truly wise attitude towards life.

In modern society, more and more people choose to find a balance between "form" and "flavor," enjoying achievements in their careers while maintaining tranquility in life. For example, some people choose to slow down their pace of life, participating in volunteer activities or engaging in artistic creation during their spare time; they have both realistic goals and personal interests. In this process, they not only live out the "form" recognized by society but also embody their own life's "flavor." This balance allows individuals to have opportunities to realize their self-worth while finding inner peace and satisfaction in the pursuit.

So, in this busy era, how can we find a balance between "form" and "flavor"? First, we need to clearly understand our own needs and characteristics. Some people are naturally inclined to challenge themselves, enjoying showcasing themselves in public; while others prefer solitude, focusing on the process of self-dialogue. Understanding oneself is key to better choosing a suitable lifestyle without being swayed by external standards. Secondly, set long-term goals and stick to them, neither overemphasizing immediate gains and losses nor excessively pursuing instant success. Maintaining a calm mind and understanding that both gains and losses in life are part of the process can help avoid losing direction in pursuit. Finally, bravely face inner desires and real life needs. Regardless of how society develops, maintaining self-dialogue and connection with one's inner self is essential to finding true satisfaction.

In the torrent of life, whether choosing "form" or "flavor," it reflects a pursuit of the self. Those who live out a "form" gain a sense of achievement in reality through social status and material wealth; while those who live out a "flavor" savor the essence of life in simplicity, enjoying inner peace. There is no right or wrong in these two choices; only what suits oneself is true happiness. In life, one might find a balance between external achievements and internal satisfaction, respecting one's inner needs while bravely pursuing external accomplishments. Ultimately, each of us can live out our true selves, giving life a unique "flavor."

In the choices of life, holding onto "form" or "flavor" is an expression of the self. In this complex world, we do not need to set high or low standards for lifestyles, but rather find a pace that suits us. Regardless of the chosen way, the key lies in inner calmness and authenticity. As Van Gogh observed, amidst the crowd, chaos and peace coexist. If one can maintain self in the pursuit of "form," or feel the preciousness of the ordinary in "flavor," one can transcend external disturbances. Ultimately, living out oneself is the greatest fulfillment of life.

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