I am an ever-changing bundle of elements, emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
In 2011, Julian Baggini wrote about the problematic concept of true self in “The Ego Trick”.
He talked with Jnanamitra, who has lived as a man and a woman: “I feel like I’ve lived several lifetimes these days. It’s very weird to look back at my childhood and have a sense of that being me.”
Baggini showed how Neuroscience and Psychology have studied humans and brains, and brains with injuries, dementia, mental or physical illness, and there is no part of the brain, body, or body chemistry which is the essential or controlling section.
The world’s religions have never shown definitive proof of a “soul” nor have never agreed on where it is before birth, during life, on life support, or after death.
“For my part, when I enter most intimately into what I call myself, I always stumble on some particular perception or other, of heat or cold, light or shade, love or hatred, pain or pleasure, colour or sound, etc. I never catch myself, distinct from some such perception.”
– David Hume, Treatise of Human Nature, Book 1, Part 4, Section 6.
Nothing is permanent, be it identity or biology.
Fashions and hairstyles change, beliefs change, relationships change, information changes. People do things like have cosmetic surgery, and can then later have their breast implants removed.
This morning I read about a new book in which 30 transgendered people voice their regrets on their transitioning.
That book appears to have a political and/or religious agenda, but the fact remains that people exist who regret making such changes.
I support those who want to change.
I support those who regret changing.
Between the old and the new
How much of “you” is “you”? Or are you a cliché?
Are you a geek, Goth, hippy, punk, leftie, conservative, clean-eater, Christian, alternative, party girl, introvert, runner, backpacker, dissociated, wine mom, meat-lover, foodie, or muso?
Do you even feel lost because you’re not any kind of social stereotype?
No “true self”
I am an ever-changing bundle of elements, emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
-Zenmode.
Social group pressure has something to do with desire to change and not change in any direction. We have a survival instinct to want to be part of a tribe for protection. Doubts also arise that are affect the flux of self/identity and feeling of belonging within a tribe. Religion, politics, fashion, family, health.
In 2019, James Fell writes about “The Willpower Myth: How Identity and Values are the True Regulators of Behavior”. In his new book on health and fitness, he explains that the alleged concept of Ego Depletion caused by a supposed draining of “willpower” has now been discredited by science.
I have issues with the concept of having a “true self”, but I like how James Fell brings up “identity change”.
Change definitely happens by questioning your thoughts, attitudes, and values, and turning small efforts into positive habits.
“Challenge your thoughts. Don’t believe everything you think.”
-Zenmode.
By making some sort of change every day, I quit smoking, lost 35 kg (80 lbs) and have maintained my goal weight nearly 3 years, gone from couch to running 3 marathons, and have been alcohol free 11 months.
In 2019 I’m hoping to keep changing, learning, adapting to new information, and thriving.
Zenmode 
I approve of this. I always thought myself an individual, and I prided myself upon it, neither conforming to nor avoiding societal requirements. Then I discovered that I was an appalling cliché. In 2019, I intend to become me again, and am interested to see if I can improve myself as well as you have.
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Thanks, dear Rat.
My family have said things like they’re glad to have the old me again back.
While I’m back to drawing, doing gymnastic things, fit, and a healthy weight again, I’m not the painfully timid, shy, and anxious person I used to be.
My “me” is a new bundle of old and new.
Mr P commented when I’d done paddleboarding how much more confident I am, and that seemed like it came out of the blue. I hadn’t been nervous, I just did it without reservations.
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