A case of mistaken identity?

[apparentparadox]

I've been thinking a lot lately about how the way we identify ourselves changes over time. When you're a little kid, you self-identify like this: My name is Timmy, I'm 4 years old. Later on in life, it becomes "Hi, I'm Tim. I'm a computer science major", or "I'm Mark's partner

Comments

[fuzzygruf]

You could identify yourself as a psychic, cuz you totally have been reading my thoughts regarding this topic (but you articulated it much better).

[dendren]

I struggle with this now and again, tho I think the struggle comes during times I'm trying to figure out who I am (or maybe who I want to be) now.

[pdxchuck]

People have a way of trying to cateforize people so in one simple thought you know where people "fit", in regards to a nice, neat definable little "box", for lack of a better term. It's easier for people to understand others. We categorize others, but we also categorize oursleves.

Regarding your post I know what you mean. Going on two years ago I was working on a specific study that lasted for over a year. I was very much into that study. In fact when people wanted to know about my work, this study became who I was professionally. Once the study was over it was a sudden realization of, well, that study is now over. If I was identified with that study, then what was I next? It was a bit of an odd eye opener, but on more of a micro scale. The same principle can apply to longer lasting, or more esoteric aspects of one's life. Once behind them, however, I can see where a void can be created, thus causing a lot of ambiguity in one's life.

[wooddragon]

Guess who gets to decide which definition fits better? :)

[abqdan]

It's an interesting train of thought; I think most of us identify our current selves. And usually, that relates to work or lack thereof, or hobbies or partners. I've variously described myself as 'computer geek', 'web designer', 'nurse', 'retired' and now 'massage therapist'. What's interesting is that I find I'm more and more reluctant to describe myself by previous careers. While I still do some web work for a few clients, I don't think of myself in those terms. And since it's 25 years since I was nursing, that now just sounds ridiculous when it comes up in conversation. Similarly, I rarely dance now, so describing myself as 'a square dancer' really isn't accurate and doesn't quite sound right. It's probably better not to label ourselves when at all possible, because whatever we are now is likely to change soon.