Do you know who you are?

[ShYne123]

Im just wondering if anyone knows who they truily are? I was thinking about it today, i have no idea who i am. When im with people i dont like but im trying to impress i call it the "fake joe" ..But i dont even know who the real one is, i have so many intertwining personalitys. I act differnet with certain people 1 on 1. I act different with groups, and differenet depending on the group. My internal thought proccess also changes, i completily adapt and become somone else. Im a chameleon. Simple question, who here KNOWS who they are? Is anyone real? Im sure as hell not.

[Merlock]

I know exactly who I am and I act always along my principles and ideals so as to never have to be ashamed for my actions. Nor am I ever ashamed of them, nor do I ever go back on them. It's important to make right decisions at the right moment and having strong ideals and principles is just what's needed to do so. Well, that an exaggeration to make a point. Sure, everyone makes mistakes. But at those times I tend to not place my pride ahead and know when there's a need to apologise. Yet another personal principle/ideal/whatever. So, aye, I know who I am and as much as I have flaws I want to change (and am...slowly working on), it'll still be me once I do change them.

[Adrenaline Junkie]

I know who i ought to be, i too share the "act differently" around other people thing, i have a type of voice for eveyone or a style, i need to become individual and not act different around everyone, i know my roles and what i want to do in life but i never stop and ask that question, i'll be thinking about that tonight.

[sourcejedi]

When im with people i dont like but im trying to impress i call it the "fake joe" ..But i dont even know who the real one is, i have so many intertwining personalitys. I act differnet with certain people 1 on 1. I act different with groups, and differenet depending on the group. My internal thought proccess also changes, i completily adapt and become somone else. Thats completely normal! I'm a right bookworm so I'd refer you to the introduction to one of the sequels to OSC's Enders Game except I can't remember which one it was or be bothered to look it up. But he explains how in characterizing the family in the book he had to think about how each member related to every other one, and how they would act differently in the presence of different sets of people. OSC gives a really good practical example, that when he was a student he would be out with friends and "effing and blinding" (swearing) with the rest of them, but when he was home with his parents he just wouldn't talk that way. Not that he had to restrain himself - just that he would never think of talking in that way with them. I guess that doesn't help you know the "real you", but I hope its reassuring

[NeAvO]

I know what you mean, I never really know what I want ect. I act different around different people, usually its like a defensive thing I have. If I'm with people I know and like, I'll be confident and loud but if I'm with people I don't know, I'm very shy and it takes a while for me to open up. I'm only loud with people I don't know, if there is atleast one of my friends there, so that I can bounce off them and join a conversation.

[Phydeaux_3]

Do you know what you are? You are what you is You is what you am (A cow don't make ham...) You ain't what you're not So see what you got You are what you is An' that's all it 'tis A foolish young man From a middle class fam'ly Started singin' the blues 'Cause he thought it was manly Now he talks like the Kingfish ("Saffiiiee!") From Amos 'n Andy ("Holy mack'l dere...Holy mack'l dere!") He tells you that chitlins... Well, they taste just like candy He thinks that he's got De whole thang down From the Nivea Lotion To de Royal Crown Do you know what you are? You are what you is You is what you am (A cow don't make ham...) You ain't what you're not So see what you got You are what you is An' that's all it 'tis A foolish young man Of the Negro Persuasion Devoted his life To become a caucasian He stopped eating pork He stopped eating greens He traded his dashiki ("UHURU!") For some Jordache Jeans He learned to play golf An' he got a good score Now he says to himself ("I AIN'T NO NIGGER NO MORE...HEY! HEY! HEY!") "I don't understand you..." BWANA MA-COO-BAH "Would you please speak more clearly..." MERCEDES BAINNNNNNNZ Who is who (I don't know) 'N what is what (Somethin' I just don't know...) 'N why is this (Tell me now...) Appropriot (That's a funny pronunciation if'n ever I heard one...) If you don't like (Where'd you get that word?) What you has got (Appropriot? The word is not...) Drop it in the dirt (Drop it yeah...) 'N let it rot (I can smell it now...) Someone else (Here de come, here de come...) Will surely come (I told you they was comin') 'N pick it up (That's right!) 'Cause he wants some (An' he wants it for free...) And when one day (There will come a day...) You wonder who (I wonder too...) You used to was (Who I was anyway...) 'N what you do (I used to work at the post office...) You'll scratch your head (But I don't wanna un-do my doo...) 'N look around (Just to see what's goin' on) But what you lost (Can't seem to find it...) Will not be found (A Mercedes Benz...) Do you what you are? (I know...) You are what you is (I'm the kinda guy...) You is what you am (That ought to be drivin' a Mercedes Benz...) A cow don't make a ham (A four-fifty SLC...) You ain't what you're not (A big ol' red one...) So see what you got (With some golf clubs stickin' out de trunk...) You are what you is (I'm gwine down to de links on Saturday mornin'...) An' that's all it is (Gimme a five dollar bill...) YOU ARE WHAT YOU IS (And an overcoat too...) AND THAT'S ALL IT IS (Robbie, take me to Greek Town...) YOU ARE WHAT YOU IS (I'm harder than yer husband; harder than yer husband...) AN THAT'S ALL IT IS (I'm goin' down to White Street, y'all...) YOU ARE WHAT YOU IS (Gone down to the Mudd Club, 'n work the wall...) AN THAT'S ALL IT IS ('N work the floor 'n work the pipe 'N work the wall some more... And here we are at the Mudd Club, Y'all... I hope you enjoy yourself, cause the show's about To begin...)

[carcharoth]

I Believe i'm in the proccess of dicovering myself , not only my personality but everything that is related to me. I'm trying the last three months to get rid of everything that my enviroment has given me and filter it through my own mind. By questioning everything they've given me for granted i.e. lifestyle , ideals , way of thinking etc. and try to understand it with my own mind, i'm getting rid of everything i don't like and don't suit me. Reading good books and other people's ideas really helps me a lot.

[Moonbeam]

Don't worry, when you get old it all sort of settles down into one basic personality.

[Casualtie]

I wouldn't necessarily say that my morals and ideas change around a certain group, but my confidence level sure as hell does. When I'm around my family I speak my mind without many second-thoughts. When I'm around my close friends I think about what I say a little more (if it is appropriate or whatever the case is) but I won't censor myself, just rephrase things. When I'm with a bunch of people I don't really know (i.e. my class mates, friends of a friend), I become the shyest, most modest person you'll probably ever meet. I think way too much about my next words to the point of it being ridiculous. I'm overly self conscious and all around my confidence level goes to s***. When I'm around, for example, a girl that I really like, I'm a much more sensitive and emotional. A problem for me sometimes is when I'm around both my good friends and a girl I like (something that happened relatively recently). I can't talk to her the same way I would be able to if he wasn't there. Basically, no. I don't know exactly who I am, but I do know it is a mixture between probably all the above listed personalities.

[ShYne123]

Thanks everyone for the responses. Phy, i like the poem lol. Like some of you said, i guess it is normall. But still, i would like to just be one solid person. And i could work of becoming that person if i knew who i really was. I guess in time ill learn more about myself as you said moon. Which one? Lol. THE BANNANNA! j/k, i have no idea

[CryoDragoon]

I don't think we are constant; I think we are changing all the time, so there isn't one specific "me", or "you", because "you" is always changing. I have to differ though about all the personalities, though: Your personality stays the same (when interacting with different groups), it's your attitude that changes... It are your behavioral patterns... Don't forget: Personality is just a description of the emotional, thought, and behavioral patterns in a person. So if your attitude (behavior towards a certain individual/group) changes, it still is part of the pattern. Therefore: even though your behavior pattern might change, your personality doesn't. (of course it doesn't remain constant, this also changes but I hope you get my point anyway... Personality changes gradually, second by second, just as time changes second by second, it is a constant change, while your attitude may change 'ritenuto' (to throw in a musical term, as it was the first word to jump into my mind)... Your attitude may change just like that. In short: Your attitude may change like a "BANG!": suddenly you have changed your attitude, while your personality changes like a clock... gradually, and without sudden changes... I think "I" or "Me" or "You" is just a collection of personality, morality, intellect, etc., and nothing more, it isn't just one aspect of you, it is EVERYTHING about you... ALL the mental and physical qualities that reside in your body (and that ARE your body) together, are the thing we call "you", or that you call "I" or "Me"... And it is not constant at all... we develop all the time, we learn stuff all the time, we change all the time, and therefore, YOU change all the time, and therefore, there is no constant you... THEREFORE: stop trying to be "you", and BE/STAY YOURSELF!!! If you still aren't convinced I have a question for you guys: IF your personality/attitude is only one of the dozens of attitudes/personalities, then whose are the other ones???

[King and God]

I also act differently among different people. Among family and friends I open up more of course, while I don't do it much among people I know but don't consider friends (forgotten its word, would be good if someone could point it out for me) and strangers. When it comes to the Internet, though, I feel I can open up even among strangers, since they don't know who I am and where I live. Despite this I know who I truely am, and I'm aware of why I act differently in different situations.

[Led]

We all have this Idea of who we ought to be or who we really are, but let me refer you to what my 8th grade english teacher says. "It is what it does." It can be applied to pretty much anything, including us.

[CoLd BlooDed]

If you're only in 8th grade, there's a lot of learning to be done. Great topic - this is a question I usually ask myself. I can just look in the mirror and stare at myself. Why is it that I looked like this? Why am I having these thoughts? Why do I have these parents? It's perplexing. I don't change unless I have to - if I'm around a lot of adults, I can speak politely and with courtesy, but I'll still act normally (outgoing, usually joking around) just like I do with friends. With friends there's a lot more slang going 'round. I don't get shy around girls whatsoever, it's just one of those things from my upbringing: my life consisted of living with my mom and two sisters for the longest time (up until last year, actually). Really, though, I can't see myself answering this question right now. I agree with what CryoDragon said, though, about there being no constant you. We're always meshing.

[Led]

If you're only in 8th grade, there's a lot of learning to be done. Great topic - this is a question I usually ask myself. I can just look in the mirror and stare at myself. Why is it that I looked like this? Why am I having these thoughts? Why do I have these parents? It's perplexing. I don't change unless I have to - if I'm around a lot of adults, I can speak politely and with courtesy, but I'll still act normally (outgoing, usually joking around) just like I do with friends. With friends there's a lot more slang going 'round. I don't get shy around girls whatsoever, it's just one of those things from my upbringing: my life consisted of living with my mom and two sisters for the longest time (up until last year, actually). Really, though, I can't see myself answering this question right now. I agree with what CryoDragon said, though, about there being no constant you. We're always meshing. I am in 10th grade now. I just remembered his saying because of this topic, and I think it's a good one.

[Man of Steel]

I am who I am, and if I'm not, then I sure don't want to know about it. Also, Amos and Andy rock. Hard.

[Gwendolyn]

I'm me. I don't need to justify or explain that. I'm just who I am. Even if I changed, I'd still be me.

[Oneironaught]

As some others have said, "I" and "You" are always in a state of evolution and adaptation. That's who "we" are. Your true self is the sum total of all of our faces, plus some. I think it's misleading - and somewhat incorrect - to feel that who you are is changing because you act differently around different people or in different situations. That's the very crux of life. If you don't adapt to your surroundings and act appropriately for the situation you're in then you have a lot of work to do. Your underlying character should always show through but you still must adhere to social standards, at least on some level. Changing the way you act as you change who you're around isn't necessarily a bad thing. If anything, it's a show of respect to those in your company. That respect is your true character shining through.

[MrGrEmLiN]

I have no idea who I am. I realised this some time ago. I think only when you realise you don't know yourself can you begin to actualy do so... I see myself now as a result of a mix of influences and of consequences of my past experiences. And that's progress because I already realised that's not who I REALLY am. Great you asked this question cause a lot of people go around without ever asking this to themselves and your question might be a wake up call to them.

[ShYne123]

CryoDragon, you deffinatily got me thinking in a new perspective. Your response does make alot of sense, thanks for taking the time. I dont really have much to say, i dont know what to say :-/ Thank you for all your responses, its good to know that alot of people can relate to what im talking about, and its also good to here the logical side of it.

[Gwendolyn]

In the words of Frank Zappa, "You are who you is."