July 12, 2022

On self-identity in comparison

Scrolling through Instagram or Twitter, I identify as someone who doesn't work much. Others choose to work weekends or (gasp) five days a week.

Chatting to people here - it's my third coliving day of 46 - I identify as someone who works too much.

I'd love to come to the beach/market/hammock/lunch, I say.
But I have a meeting/deadline/overflowing inbox.

My point isn't that the pace here is slower, or that anyone, including me, should work less (or more). My point is that self-identity is intricately wrapped up in comparison, in surroundings. And that can feel unsettling.