Never Rush into Identifying with Something

Never rush into identifying with something. An identity latches onto us like a piece of flesh. Once on, it is painful to strip away, so we leave it attached, even when it starts rotting or turns cancerous.

People who are too hasty to identify with groups, causes, or beliefs tend to absorb ideas from the community without filtering them. Identities are useful because they provide us with a sense of belonging. They give us comfort, knowing that we are part of a greater whole or cause, which likely stems from our primal instincts. We are incentivised to agree with the group because compliance is easy and avoids internal friction. The result is often herd mentality and echo chambers. The longer you stay in one, the more deeply it embeds into your identity, the tighter its grip becomes, and the more agonising it is to shake off. Eventually, you may start justifying misdeeds committed by your community, or worse, joining in on them. Because critical thinking is not incentivised, you can lose that as well. This closely parallels Stoic philosophy, particularly its warning against tethering our character and reason to external attachments.

Others identify heavily with their jobs or schools. They proudly wear their company’s logo or their school tees, and association with a reputable brand can indeed elevate an individual’s perceived status. However, it is vital to remember that these associations are fickle. A company might fire you the moment you stop providing value, and school prestige fades quickly in the company of people who couldn’t care less about credentials. Identities are a double-edged sword.