So after what seems forever, I felt a sudden urge to post this week. What better way to get things running again then by complaining...I don't think I have never felt more British. Its the beginning of the academic year which generally means new classes with people you may not necessarily know. This leads teachers to do the common go around the table and introduce ourselves. I have no problem with introductions, what I do have an issue with is the ice breaker that also comes up in most job interviews, 'define yourself in one word'. I'm going to be honest with you, I absolutely loathe the question. Now you have read this far you are going to find out why.
The idea that it is even possible to accumulate all your characteristics, personality and self into one single word ultimately can degrade ones worth. I'm a woman, white, twin, agnostic, enfj personality, slytherin, optimist, extrovert, rock music enthusiast, friend and many other things. How can it really be possible to combine all of these qualities into one word. I refuse to let one single word define me, peoples self worth is far more important then to be forced into reducing it down no basic nothingness.
Even attempting to pick one single label brings about itself a whole load of stereotypes that come attached to it. These preconceived notions are different to everyone, so how could everyone understand what you mean even if you are able to chose a word. I could say I'm an extrovert, one person may say that makes me confident. I can be but I also have low self esteem. Another person could interpret that I am thick skinned, again I can be but I am also quite sensitive and openly emotional. Words can be taken in so many different ways, so associating one to a persons whole identity seems some what pointless.
We can spend our whole lives finding ways to express who we are to the world around us. Letting history tell us how good or bad we are. Letting our past decide our future. Or we can decide for ourselves, gathering experience and belief's to create a changeable but complex identity. We mean different things to different people, that can barely be covered by human language, let alone evaluated into one word.
Now come to think of it, I can define myself in one word. Undefinable. Because no ones worth should be restrained.
