[Eleny]

No sense of self (sent before finished writing title)

I have no sense of who I am and it's so hard to think I'll have to go through life like this. Whenever I'm with people I allow their personality to take over and I simply imitate them. Their values become my values, their mannerisms become my mannerisms. It's so hard to know that I have no identity. Can anyone relate? I wish I knew why I was like this.

[pachyderm]

Were you allowed to be yourself when you were a child?

[Teddy Bear]

Maybe you're just trying to fit in

[Sunflower123]

I'm sorry you are having a tough time. Have you ever considered therapy to work on this and resolve it? Sending big hugs.

[ArcheM]

I think on one hand as social creatures we're supposed to take on the traits of a group to a certain extent. I sometimes feel that a stable situation is required to identify what you are. Maybe it's a considerable time alone, or, indeed a long time in one group for you to figure out a role that actually fits you, instead of being imposed from the outside... At least it's kind of been working like that for me.

[Shazerac]

Here's a thought. If you had no sense of self.....how would you even know if you were taking on the mannerisms of others? it's pretty common to adapt and try to fit in. Humans are social creatures after all.

Your "self" is in there somewhere, you just need dig it out somehow. Maybe you could try making a list and title it "who am I?" Start with basics, your appearance, then what do you like, what do you dislike? What do you believe, what do you not believe. What are you opinions about the world around you? What pisses you off, what makes you happy, what confuses you? If you could change the world what would you do first? It can get as esoteric or silly as you want. This is just personal exploration.

Doing this will begin to give you a sketch if who you are.

Hmmm, I kind of like this idea. Thank you for your post. I'm gonna do this myself.

[Eleny]

Originally Posted by Shazerac

Here's a thought. If you had no sense of self.....how would you even know if you were taking on the mannerisms of others? it's pretty common to adapt and try to fit in. Humans are social creatures after all.

Your "self" is in there somewhere, you just need dig it out somehow. Maybe you could try making a list and title it "who am I?" Start with basics, your appearance, then what do you like, what do you dislike? What do you believe, what do you not believe. What are you opinions about the world around you? What pisses you off, what makes you happy, what confuses you? If you could change the world what would you do first? It can get as esoteric or silly as you want. This is just personal exploration.

Doing this will begin to give you a sketch if who you are.

Hmmm, I kind of like this idea. Thank you for your post. I'm gonna do this myself.

Lovely idea! Thank you

Originally Posted by Shazerac

Here's a thought. If you had no sense of self.....how would you even know if you were taking on the mannerisms of others? it's pretty common to adapt and try to fit in. Humans are social creatures after all.

Your "self" is in there somewhere, you just need dig it out somehow. Maybe you could try making a list and title it "who am I?" Start with basics, your appearance, then what do you like, what do you dislike? What do you believe, what do you not believe. What are you opinions about the world around you? What pisses you off, what makes you happy, what confuses you? If you could change the world what would you do first? It can get as esoteric or silly as you want. This is just personal exploration.

Doing this will begin to give you a sketch if who you are.

Hmmm, I kind of like this idea. Thank you for your post. I'm gonna do this myself.

This is great, Shaz!! I totally agree... what a wonderful exercise for personal discovery and exploration.