Can one truly change without becoming different? This question sometimes arises when we reconnect with old friends or reflect on our individual growth journey.
Recently, I had an encounter with old friends that sparked this reflection. They remarked that I had changed, and not necessarily in a positive way. This observation left me to ponder on how much have I really changed?
While I can acknowledge that my appearance and thought processes have evolved, the extent of this transformation remains elusive to me.
The Loss of Relatability
One of the most striking aspects of this experience was the sense that relatability had been lost.
For instance, past shared experiences, which used to be a source of connection when reminiscing about them were now viewed through different lenses.
The Illusion of Stasis
Change is a constant, even when we're unaware of it. A river that appears still from a distance is always flowing when one looks beyond the surface of the river.
Similarly, we are in a perpetual state of transformation. Our cells regenerate, our experiences accumulate, and our perspectives shift, often imperceptibly.
So what we perceive as stasis is just change occurring at a pace too gradual for us to notice.
Interestingly, it's only when we encounter someone from our past or look at old photographs that we become acutely aware of how much we've evolved.
Such a realization can be jarring, especially when the change is pointed out by others before we've fully recognized it ourselves.
The Subjective Nature of Difference
"Different" is a term loaded with subjectivity. What constitutes a significant change to one person might be viewed as natural growth or adaptation by another.
This subjectivity extends to how we evaluate change in ourselves and others.
I might be quick to notice sudden changes with my friends while still remaining oblivious to my own transformations that are occurring at the same time.
Sometimes, I can feel dramatically different on the inside yet appear unchanged to the outside world.
In a way, the complexity of human nature means that change rarely occurs in a linear or uniform way.
One aspect of our lives can evolve much significantly than all the other aspects combined, which means the multifaceted nature of change contributes to the difficulty in determining whether we've truly become "different."
The Pressure to Remain Static
On the other side of the spectrum, society exerts a not so subtle pressure on us to remain consistent, to be the person others expect us to be. It can come from anywhere, family, long-time friends, or even our professional network.
It seems there's comfort in predictability, and when we deviate from others' expectations, it can create discomfort or resistance.
Change without becoming different might seem like an impossible feat, given that there are both internal and external factors at play.
Without touching on the subjective nature of "being different", I think we both become different and not different when we change.
The core of who we are – our essence – can remain consistent even as we grow and adapt. But everything else may shift, evolve and transform anew.
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