Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of embracing the diverse and often contradictory aspects of human nature without being confined by labels.

Abstract

The article "Embrace Being A Paradox" discusses the inherent complexity of human beings, acknowledging that individuals can possess a wide range of emotions and personality traits that may seem contradictory. It argues against the restrictive nature of labels, suggesting that they create a false and idealistic self-image that hinders personal growth and self-acceptance. The author uses personal experiences, such as enjoying both Sydney and Melbourne, to illustrate that one can hold seemingly opposite preferences or characteristics simultaneously. The article encourages readers to release the pressure of adhering to self-imposed labels, accept the coexistence of different identities within themselves, and embrace the full spectrum of their experiences. By doing so, individuals can lead a more open-minded and fulfilling life, allowing for personal evolution and the pursuit of new interests without shame or judgment.

Opinions

The author expresses a personal dislike for labels, equating them to a faux persona on social media that obscures one's true self.
People often limit themselves to an "either, or" mentality, believing they must choose between contradictory identities or preferences, which is not reflective of the complexity of human nature.
The article suggests that sticking rigidly to a label, such as being perceived as strong, can prevent individuals from acknowledging and addressing aspects of their mental health that don't align with that identity.
It is highlighted that personal growth and happiness can come from embracing change and not feeling bound to past identities or behaviors, such as the author's transition from a "party" lifestyle to a calmer one.
The author advocates for the acceptance of multiple identities within oneself, arguing that this flexibility can lead to a richer life experience and a more authentic sense of self.
The article promotes the idea that seeking help, when needed, is not a sign of weakness but a part of being a complex and evolving individual.

Embrace Being A Paradox

Being human means being a host of contradictions

Humans are conscious beings and we have the capacity to experience a whole range of emotions and exhibit multiple personality types even if they contradict each other.

However, we have a tendency to confine ourselves to one label and we think that we don’t hold the capacity to adopt multiple labels. I personally despise labels to be honest.

I think that labeling ourselves is the same as putting up a faux persona on social media. We label ourselves in an idealistic way as opposed to a realistic way and this obstructs our view of ourselves and closes our minds to all that we are and all that we could be.

Either, or mentality

People tend to think that you can be either, or and that you can’t be both.

I remember when I lived in Australia everyone I met either loved Sydney and hated Melbourne, or loved Melbourne and hated Sydney. They said you were either, or and there was no in-between.

I thought I was so weird because I lived in both and loved them both in different ways and I can honestly say that I could not choose between the two. They both offered different things and ticked my boxes in different ways.

In the same way, people tell themselves “truths” that they believe define them and have an identity crisis when they exhibit traits that contradict their truth.

Sticking to the labels

For example, a person may perceive themselves as a strong person but when they have moments of anxiety or depression they choose to ignore it because it doesn’t fit their identity and they allow it to fester rather than seek help or talk it out. They fear that if they dare speak about it, this destroys the strong persona they have created.

The truth is, you can be a strong person and still have bouts of negative mental health and they both can exist within the same person. It doesn’t make you weak to admit to having these moments.

Another example is someone who believes that they are a free spirit who has no desire to settle down or remain in one place, till one day they meet someone who makes them want to stay put in one place and settle down.

They also struggle to accept this because they think it impacts their free-spirited nature to want to settle down because this is not who they were.

However, you can be free-spirited and grounded at the same time too, you don’t have to be one or the other.

Release the labels

Too many people struggle with this way of thinking because they have a deep-rooted belief that they need to stick with their “labels” till the day they die and refuse to accept anything that threatens this identity but this is such a limiting approach to life.

I was also guilty of this way of thinking.

I was also known to my friends as the crazy one, the one who loved to party. As years passed by and my life began to calm down I really struggled to accept this initially, because I was so used to always being busy, sociable, and wild.

This new version of me was so different from who I used to be and I felt as though I went through a grieving period for my old life.

I eventually realized that this change was such a good thing and that I had just found different ways of having fun, and they looked very different from what I was doing before, but still created the same level of happiness nonetheless and I didn’t need my old label to define me.

I could still enjoy both ways of life, and I didn’t need to be one or the other.

Embrace the paradox

Accepting that we are able to be a host to many identities, emotions and interests allows us to approach life in an open-minded way.

This creates so many opportunities for us to delve into the things that we avoided because they didn’t “suit” us. This means being open about the full range of emotions we experience or pursuing the sudden new interests that are calling us.

This also means seeking help when we need it and not being ashamed of having to do so.

Every single day is an opportunity to reinvent ourselves if we choose to, we don’t always have to be the person we were yesterday.

When we can accept all the traits that we perceived as not being a part of who we were we allow room for evolution and growth. Resisting them only creates unnecessary friction in our lives, causing life to feel out of balance.

Release the idea of who you think you are or who you think you should be and just be.

Allow the influx of emotions, thoughts, and habits to come and go without judgment of whether they fit your identity or not. Life will flow with greater ease and you will find that you will have breakthroughs you never saw coming.