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Hey friends,

Today’s post is a big one, and I’m excited to finally share it.

I’ve wanted to write about the sense of self for quite some time, but I kept putting it off because it seemed too daunting to tackle. After all, there are so many lenses to view this topic through, ranging from the rigidly rational to the annoyingly mystical.  

But last month, I took the plunge and went all in. I committed to figuring out how the sense of self develops over time, and how we grow to believe in our own distinct individuality. To do this, I read all kinds of things, explored all kinds of ideas, and pondered all kinds of thoughts.

The result is today’s post: a 6,500-word, 40-illustration journey into what it means to be you. When you’re ready, let’s dive in and explore this big topic together:
 
 
A Book I've Been Enjoying

The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker — A friend recommended this to me, and I’m glad he did. This is a brilliant overview of humanity's greatest struggle, which is the tension between our otherworldly intellect and our lowly mortality. For all you psychology and philosophy lovers, this is a must-read.
An Illustrated Insight

Thoughts trigger thoughts. If you have a good idea, write it down, and then keep writing for a few more minutes.

You’ll see just how far that initial thought can take you.

A Thought I've Been Pondering

I once believed that spending a lot of my time with my daughter was what made me a good dad. While there’s truth to that, I’ve realized that the quality of that time is far more important, and the only way to maximize it is to fulfill the other areas of my life as well. That way I can show up knowing that I’m presenting the best of myself as a whole.

Going for a run each morning makes me a better dad. Working on meaningful things makes me a better dad. Checking in with my friends and family makes me a better dad.  

In order to have the best possible relationship with anyone, you must first be the best possible version of yourself.
A Brief Parting Question

When you think of your identity, do you view it as something you’re proud of, or something to detach yourself from?

This is something I wrestle with. I feel strongly about the things that make me who I am, yet I also understand that these attachments are gateways to suffering.

Today’s big post delves into this dilemma a bit, but I’d be curious to hear how you think about it on your end.
As always, hit reply to share any thoughts, to respond to the parting question, or to simply say hello. I love hearing from you.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the rest of your week!

-Lawrence

P.S. Thanks to Andrew, Jeremy, Robert, and Judit for adding your support on Patreon! We recently hit 100 patrons, and I’m recording an Ask Me Anything episode for supporters later this month. Become a part of the patron community to join in on the fun, and to get access to a bunch of exclusive content as well.
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