The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word LIFESTYLE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
L
I
F
E
S
T
Y
L
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Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "A way of being" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case a way of being = lifestyle.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does LIFESTYLE mean?
LIFESTYLE noun- A style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group.
- The totality of the likes and dislikes of a particular section of the market, especially when expressed in terms of the products and services that they would buy; a marketing strategy based on the self-image of such a group.