“Being You”
Courtney Morris
I have recently become increasingly aware of the
pressure many of us put on ourselves to constantly be “doing”. We base a large portion of our self-worth on
our achievements and activities rather than who we are intrinsically. This external focus is largely created and
reinforced by society at large. We are
taught from a young age the importance of attaining high grades in the
classroom and winning trophies in little league, dance recitals, or art shows.
Our culture continues to push competition through
achievement, placing a strong emphasis on constant striving to “do” more. We often internalize such messages, thus
telling ourselves that we must live up to this incessant force taking the place
of our true selves. There is no doubt that we are a fast-paced society, but
where does this leave room for us to just simply “be”? How and when can we learn who we are at the
core, when we are not striving to achieve what we are told we are supposed to?
The formation and maintenance of our true identities
seem important in providing a core basis for giving us a strong sense of
self. This core self is important to
have throughout the highs and lows we all experience in life, something which
will carry us through when times are tough and we feel lost.
However, it is easy to get wrapped up in the
achievement-focused whirlwind of society.
How then do we separate the “doing” versus “being” components of our
identities? This can be difficult, especially
for those of us who are used to judging ourselves based on our accomplishments. Here are a few suggestions: try out new
things you have never done before, not to challenge yourself but rather to
learn more about your own preferences; make a list of as many descriptive words
about yourself as you can (unrelated to activities you participate in); ask
your close friends and family members to describe you in detail; keep a journal
about your feelings, thoughts, and ideas.
These are just a few ways to become more aware of your self.
Remember, this may be a slow process!
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