What Makes Us—US?

Other people see us in many different ways. Some see us as quiet, others as loud and annoying. Some might see us as the most gentle people on Earth, while others see us as totally different. Some might not even see us at all.

Think about it. To one person, you might be the most reliable friend they have. To another, you could be the one who never answers messages on time. Some may see you as kind and considerate, while others might think you're distant or even cold. In a crowded room, some notice your presence immediately, while others wouldn’t recognize you if they passed you on the street the next day.

So, which of these versions is the real you?

For most of my life, I thought I had a firm grasp on who I was. I had my values, my beliefs, my way of navigating the world. But the more I paid attention, the more I realized that who I am depends on who is looking. And if my identity shifts from one observer to the next, how much of it is really mine to claim?

Even my own self-perception isn’t necessarily the truth. My mind tells stories about me—sometimes uplifting, sometimes limiting. It recalls past failures louder than past successes, or vice versa, depending on the mood I’m in. It shapes an image of myself, but isn’t that just another projection? No more real than the ideas others have about me?

The more I think about it, the more I suspect that being human means never having a fixed definition. We evolve. We adapt. We contradict ourselves. Maybe the attempt to define ourselves is where we go wrong. Maybe not being able to be pinned down is exactly what makes us us. Maybe this is why it is so hard to answer the question: Who are you?

So, if there is no single version of you that is absolute, then perhaps the real question isn’t Who am I? but rather Do I even need to be just one thing?

Who knows? Who cares? Just be!