Lebensführung

Lebensführung is a German term that combines Leben (life) and Führung (guidance or management). It refers to the way a person organizes, governs, and experiences their life—the conduct, priorities, and routines through which one lives. The expression can denote both everyday lifestyle and a more normative concept of how life ought to be managed, including decision-making, goal setting, health, finances, work, and personal relationships.

In philosophy and ethics, Lebensführung may describe a self-determined life project or the moral quality of one’s choices. In sociology and psychology, it is used to analyze how individuals structure their lives within social structures, institutions, and cultural norms; it emphasizes planning, adaptation, and self-regulation. In self-help and popular discourse, Lebensführung is often invoked to convey effective life management, discipline, and living in accordance with prevailing values.

The term also carries normative implications, with phrases like “gute Lebensführung” signaling a respectable, orderly, and responsible way of living. In religious or cultural contexts, Lebensführung can refer to moral or virtuous conduct that aligns with particular beliefs or traditions. Cross-disciplinary use reflects the idea that a person’s life is something they actively shape while being subject to social constraints and opportunities.

See also: Lebensstil, which is closer to the modern notion of lifestyle, and perspectives in sociology and psychology that address life management, self-regulation, and life-course planning. While not tied to a single theory, Lebensführung remains a useful umbrella for discussing how individuals navigate daily routines, goals, and values within a given social environment.