It's a funny thing, realising that we are all knitting a design that we hope will win the love and affection of others and being unhappy with that. Wouldn't it be better to let go and just focus on what's honest and true?
This is really very well written. I have never read anything that describes my struggle with who I really am as well as this essay. Your metaphor is so simple and so elegant I can't help but feel jealous for not being the one to come up with it. I love your writing and sincerely hope you continue.
Reading this was oddly comforting for me because I have thoughts like this all the time, but I hide them— afraid of how others will perceive me— so I commend your bravery.
Our personalities are always going to be influenced by our surroundings in some way. For instance, I know my music taste is influenced by my dad’s, my fashion influenced by my friends’, my humor influenced by my family… And I know if I didn’t have these people in my life, these core elements of my personality would be different. However, these people who are in my life are essential to me, and I believe it’s okay to allow them to shape my identity because in a way, they are my identity.
Of course, there are things about my identity that are unshaped by others. My love for writing is something I can’t exactly pinpoint to a certain person or event which makes me happy because it’s a trait that’s uniquely mine. Although, sometimes I do get lost amongst the squares. When I think about myself 5 years ago, I’m not the same person I am today, and I know 5 years in the future I won’t be the person I am now. Oftentimes I struggle with my identity— especially considering I’m in my 20s, and there seems to be many paths to take and too many voices trying to steer me in the right direction. These voices could be so loud, it can be hard discerning which one is really my own. I wish I could give you advice, but perhaps maybe knowing you’re not alone will be comforting enough. I will say though, when I am struggling through my identity, it helps to meditate. When I do this often enough, the other voices quiet, and it’s easier to find my own.
I getcha hon. I’m just getting to that age when Agatha Christie said all the masks begin to fall away, getting the chance to become myself because nobody bothers about what an ole lady projects anymore. I hope you learn to savor yourself sooner.
It's a funny thing, realising that we are all knitting a design that we hope will win the love and affection of others and being unhappy with that. Wouldn't it be better to let go and just focus on what's honest and true?
This is really very well written. I have never read anything that describes my struggle with who I really am as well as this essay. Your metaphor is so simple and so elegant I can't help but feel jealous for not being the one to come up with it. I love your writing and sincerely hope you continue.
Thank you so much Michael 🙏 comments like this make my day!
Reading this was oddly comforting for me because I have thoughts like this all the time, but I hide them— afraid of how others will perceive me— so I commend your bravery.
Our personalities are always going to be influenced by our surroundings in some way. For instance, I know my music taste is influenced by my dad’s, my fashion influenced by my friends’, my humor influenced by my family… And I know if I didn’t have these people in my life, these core elements of my personality would be different. However, these people who are in my life are essential to me, and I believe it’s okay to allow them to shape my identity because in a way, they are my identity.
Of course, there are things about my identity that are unshaped by others. My love for writing is something I can’t exactly pinpoint to a certain person or event which makes me happy because it’s a trait that’s uniquely mine. Although, sometimes I do get lost amongst the squares. When I think about myself 5 years ago, I’m not the same person I am today, and I know 5 years in the future I won’t be the person I am now. Oftentimes I struggle with my identity— especially considering I’m in my 20s, and there seems to be many paths to take and too many voices trying to steer me in the right direction. These voices could be so loud, it can be hard discerning which one is really my own. I wish I could give you advice, but perhaps maybe knowing you’re not alone will be comforting enough. I will say though, when I am struggling through my identity, it helps to meditate. When I do this often enough, the other voices quiet, and it’s easier to find my own.
I getcha hon. I’m just getting to that age when Agatha Christie said all the masks begin to fall away, getting the chance to become myself because nobody bothers about what an ole lady projects anymore. I hope you learn to savor yourself sooner.