The question of whether we see ourselves as stories or as unchanging things is really interesting. I believe we're more like stories, and here’s why:
Changing Identity: Our identities are not set in stone; they change as we grow. Think about how you see yourself now compared to a few years ago. For example, I am very different now than I was in my early twenties. My experiences and the stories I tell myself have shaped who I am today.
Storytelling in Identity: The idea of narrative identity says we build who we are through stories. We connect different events, relationships, and lessons into a story that gives meaning to our lives. This storytelling makes our identity feel more real and helps us understand our past, present, and future.
Live Experiences: Looking at life from an existential view, the self isn’t something permanent. Instead, it’s created and rebuilt through our choices and actions. Similarly, a focus on our personal experiences shows us that the self grows from how we interact with the world and other people.
Limits of a Fixed Self: Thinking of ourselves as unchanging feels too limiting. It suggests we are stuck in one way without accounting for how we grow and evolve. Life can be unpredictable, and as we face new challenges, our identities can change.
In the end, seeing ourselves as stories helps us better understand who we are. It recognizes our past while also allowing us the freedom to redefine ourselves. So, I truly believe that we are best understood as ever-changing stories rather than as something unchanging.
The question of whether we see ourselves as stories or as unchanging things is really interesting. I believe we're more like stories, and here’s why:
Changing Identity: Our identities are not set in stone; they change as we grow. Think about how you see yourself now compared to a few years ago. For example, I am very different now than I was in my early twenties. My experiences and the stories I tell myself have shaped who I am today.
Storytelling in Identity: The idea of narrative identity says we build who we are through stories. We connect different events, relationships, and lessons into a story that gives meaning to our lives. This storytelling makes our identity feel more real and helps us understand our past, present, and future.
Live Experiences: Looking at life from an existential view, the self isn’t something permanent. Instead, it’s created and rebuilt through our choices and actions. Similarly, a focus on our personal experiences shows us that the self grows from how we interact with the world and other people.
Limits of a Fixed Self: Thinking of ourselves as unchanging feels too limiting. It suggests we are stuck in one way without accounting for how we grow and evolve. Life can be unpredictable, and as we face new challenges, our identities can change.
In the end, seeing ourselves as stories helps us better understand who we are. It recognizes our past while also allowing us the freedom to redefine ourselves. So, I truly believe that we are best understood as ever-changing stories rather than as something unchanging.