Determining Our Identity Essay

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There are many events in life that aid us in determining our identity, especially at the very beginning of adulthood. When such events occur they mingle with previous experiences which assimilate into functional, yet semi-concrete idealisms that are subject to change as we mature. Such experiences serve loosely as a foundation upon which our future self is built. I’ve had a sort of epiphany this past week or so while canning vegetable juice of all things; living a simplified life doesn’t necessarily mean I’m living a life that won’t have a big impact on the world around me.
I’ve never strayed too far from the expectations of my family, but ever since I moved out I’ve been more adventurous. I have tried new things that I wasn’t completely sure I would enjoy or simply wasn’t exposed to because of the sheltered life I have lived. I have become increasingly enthralled by “green” ideas, thinking more about how I treat my body and the impact I have the world and people around me. I have started making my own household products and products that are
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For example, I viewed farmers as less than spectacular human beings who were not smart enough to be a doctor. To say the least, I failed to see the importance of their place in society which could easily rival that of a doctor. I felt as if social conditioning had forced some sort of model of what a successful person looks and acts like into my mind. Listening to stories about how my friend’s grandparents or family friends used to spend all of their time growing the food they would eat seemed increasingly fascinating as the stories went on. The idea of self-sustainability is captivating, but the possibility of having a functional community likened to those of the past is only a dream at this

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