Identity of the Self
Technology
My Basic Sense of Self
Architectural design student at a university out of state
Activities
Dancer
Born and raised in the northeast, democratic Pennsylvania, white, upper-middle class, supportive nuclear and extended family
Position in the family as an older sister and a daughter
Memory
Defining Moments
Self Through Art
Properties
Personality Traits
Band Kid
Artist
Has now become my career
Theatre
Those I've been told
Those I've told myself
Extrovert
Confident
Smart
Unswervingly Loyal
Introvert
Caring
Decisive
Passionate
Passionate
Indecisive
Unmotivated
Essential: If changed, a change in identity occurs
Accidental: if changed, the identity does not change
Empathy
Attachment
Passions
Woman
Upbringing
Curvy Body Type
Getting a Tattoo
Blonde Hair
Trump Election: I remember staying up late that night, with the news on in the background at 1 am as I worked on homework, as I quickly realized this election wasn't turning out as everyone had figured it would. Truly shook my idea in what democracy and the American ideals were.
First Serious Relationship: Just changed me in all the weirdest and best ways. The feelings felt different right from the start. It's hard to describe but that's how first love is. Definitely gives a new outlook on life.
First Dance Recital: My mom tells me that I was super nervous, not wanting to go out on stage. Then as soon it was over I wanted to do it again. This truly set me on my path of many performances, from singing to the Wicked soundtrack with my sister in our living room to performing for hundred in my many shows and recitals.
Joining Marching Band in High School: I didn't know what I was getting into at the time but this is where my best high school memories were made and where my core friend group that I talk to on the daily was formed. In fact, I'm listening to a piece we played senior year as I write this.
Deciding to go to JMU: I found it harder to make friends as it was the first time I knew absolutely no one where I was going. I was the only one from my high school and, while it was a small culture shock from PA to VA, it was a change nonethless
Car Accident: A major trauma in my life that I had to get over physically and mentally. I remember feeling like I'd aged ten years after the fact, like I'd quickly gotten hit with reality.
Ship of Theseus
What makes up the essential properties of objects?
When does one thing become a new thing with a new identity?
Can something be altered slightly and still keep its core identity?
Biology: Biologically, we are all made up of microscopic bacteria and microbes that exist as a part of our system of a human. In this way, it can be argued that we're not truly one individual self.
Social Media: Our perceptions of self are ever-changing due to social media and I'm no exception.
Physics: Through quantum physics, it's evident that our behaviors changed based on whether we're being observed. I see this in myself daily, as my personality shifts based on my audience/who I'm interacting with. I feel that this is a common occurrence, and, as long as we're aware of it, it's okay that it happens.
Producer of Art
Storytelling
Consumer of Art
Digital Narratives
We use storytelling to construct both our ideas of ourselves and our memories. We emphasize certain details, and use certain rhetorical devices to portray our lives in a certain way.
Two way interchange: Creativity is both a result of the self and a source of self construction
Dance: Despite never moving up in my old studio and remaining at the bottom-level competition team, I still loved to compete and perform in this art. I'm truly passionate about dance and I participate in order to express myself and relieve stress.
Art/Drawing: I'm told that I'm good at drawing and have an eye for color when working with pastels. Since this is something I seemingly excel at, I'm encouraged to produce more art this way
Architectural Design: While I produce this form of art because it's my major, it's given me a new way of looking at things. I've learned to play in my designs and not think so much while I'm working; just dive in.
Music: I'm able to connect to my emotions when listening to music, especially with songs I may have listened to during a certain era of my life. These songs put my feelings into words so I can more easily define what exactly it is that I'm feeling.
Movies and TV: My family quotes our favorite movies and TV shows non-stop, so much that these words and phrases have become such staples in our vocabulary, thus inside jokes only the four of us can relate to. I can define my sense of self in relation to my family and its values.
Theatre: I can see myself in characters on stage and relate to their personality traits, especially with newer musicals like Dear Evan Hansen portraying anxiety and depression, the themes can be woven into my sense of self seamlessly.
Diary Entries: I've kept a diary since second grade, and it's always been a source of a creative outlet for me as well as a cathartic activity. In the past, I acted as if I was retelling my life to someone who knew nothing about me--more like a novel to the world than a note to myself. I now treat it as a place to vent and express my emotions, only to be read by future me.
Books: I became quickly attached to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series when I started reading the books in fourth grade. I desperately wanted to be a part of that world, thus I inserted myself into it, adapting character traits I found in my favorite characters and growing a fondness for the ocean and all bodies of water (the main character's father is Poseidon, Greek god of the sea). It's funny how things work out, because I'm now studying to be an architect--the chosen profession of the female protagonist.
Two Truths Exist: The Relative Truth (Sensory) and the Absolute Truth (Observed at the Quantum Physics Level)
I value who comments and likes my posts as my closest friends
If someone compliments me online, despite each image being curated specifically to have me looking my best, I take it to heart believing they truly mean what they say.
The Iconic Selfies
Sorority/Fraternity Induction: Whether it's a group shot of their new "family" or a singular shot of them with their letters, college students proudly display their loyalty to their organizations
Studying and Grinding: The perfectly positioned coffee cup, beautifully written and highlighted notes, as well as an open textbook or two and an open laptop all form the perfect picture of a studious hard-worker.
Election Day: The "I voted" sticker displayed proudly for everyone to see that they've performed their civic duty
Rhetoric Self: The language we use affects our sense of self
Narrative Self: The way in which we tell our stories affects our sense of self
Memory is selective and malleable
Can we be our true selves without our memories?
Remembering Self