too many versions. or just the right amount of versions. I'm never sure. but what I am learning to accept is that all the versions are "real" - for whatever "real" is worth - and none of them truer, or better, or worse than the others. they all belong to me, they all make the whole of me, and I don't necessarily have to like all of them, but I should accept them as parts of me. I think. and I guess, in a way, they all fulfill some purpose.
many years ago I heard a poem about versions of oneself. I forgot the details, and I forgot who it was from, and I'm since then always on the search, or at least on the lookout for that poem, as I'd very much like to hear (or read) it again.
maybe someone here knows it? although, I'm afraid I'm pretty accurate in remembering that it was in German?
That's exactly what I am wondering about, are all the versions "real"? I have the feeling that there is at least one version that is somehow societytrained, and not really me. Of course somehow a part of me but maybe a version that could do some "unlearning"? If that makes sense?
totally makes sense. but I consider the society-trained version(s) also version(s) of me. I mean... aren't all our versions in some way or other "trained" by outside conditions? not solely, but in addition to whatever the version is "from the inside"? makes me think of the "no WOman is an island"-saying - there is no version that's completely uninfluenced by anything. or is there?
These are very interesting points and I had to think about them for a while. Now I am back with one thought. For the different versions theory we would have to agree that we are many different versions and are ok with that. But what my gut feeling says, and maybe Sokrates did too; is that there is a way to know yourself so well, that you can exactly tell the you version apart from the versions influenced by society. Which makes the thinking complicated, because I do agree that it might be impossible to have an uninfluenced version of yourself. But still I have the feeling that there is a core you. Someone you really get to know throughout your life. And you get more you, the older you get. But only, if you do the work.Self Knowledge is essential for Wisdom. And if you want to know yourself, you will probably have to choose one version that is you and see and maybe even accept the influenced behaviors as part of the one version that is you. And the better you know yourself, the better you get at leaving old patterns behind. Hell, that's complicated :D
Different versions- oh yes I could go on about that subject. Your experience regarding socializing resonates.
I am very fond of the Old You puppet. The New You is BREATHTAKING!!! She/you radiate a lot more wisdom and experience than Old you. I think you have accomplished a remarkable thing artistically & philosophically (seriously)… when New You is finished, you now have an actual inter-dimensional portal… Old You, New You, and You You occupying the space between…I can’t wait to see the movies made with you all 🩶🤍
I am glad to hear that I am not alone with this feeling of a real me and a not so real me. It feels strange sometimes. But I do have the feeling that with time, and a lot of work, the real me gets to stay for longer periods now.
Right!? I love the new me. I didn't make the puppet base though. And I sometimes feel a bit bad a about it because I can see how awesome she is and I could never create that myself. But I am painting her, giving her hair and life (and clothes! Very important:)
And you are so right; she is like a portal. Into my own world, because she will be able to interact with everything.
What you wrote about having different versions of ourselves... I feel it too. And I wonder if everyone feels this (perhaps they have different selves but aren't aware of it). Perhaps it is necessary as not everyone would accept parts of us. We change according to who is around us, in order to make sense of where we are in that moment - for ourselves and for others. And I just read some of your blog posts. Your depth pf feeling in your art, especially the puppets, is heartwarming. Thank you for sharing your you-you here and on your website.
Oh thank you so much! You have no idea how much that means to me! Specially that you also visited my blog. I do love writing about my puppets and my world. And I am happy when my words do reach people after all. I mean, there are so many words and artworks out there, which is wonderful, but it makes one person hard to be seen and heard. So thank you for that.
And yes, I absolutely agree. We create this different versions of ourselves. I think it begins when we are children and we create versions out of survival instinct. And sometimes they might be obsolete, later in life, but we can't let go of them. That's how I feel sometimes at least. Like there is a very childlike version of me at work, and not in the playful funny way. But I am glad that you feel your different versions too. It felt so strange to write that because I was afraid that maybe no one could relate.
I think most of us have different versions of ourselves. As I’ve gotten older, I like to think that the “real” version of me is the one I reveal most often these days. At some point during my life experience, I think I finally accepted myself and decided on a “take me or leave me” approach. I’m blessed to have great friends who know how strange I can be and celebrate my strangeness. LOL. I love both versions of your puppets! I’m excited to see how they continue to appear in your art! Hugs!
There are so many versions of ‘me’ I get confused: the ‘mom’ me, the professional work ‘me’ (when I’m supposed to have answers to things), the ‘me’ talking to the checker at the grocery store…
But honestly, I think the real me shows when I’m with my Imaginary Friends…and when I’m with my dog.
I love all of your puppets past, present and future. Every puppet you make has some ‘you’ in them which is why they are enchanting.
too many versions. or just the right amount of versions. I'm never sure. but what I am learning to accept is that all the versions are "real" - for whatever "real" is worth - and none of them truer, or better, or worse than the others. they all belong to me, they all make the whole of me, and I don't necessarily have to like all of them, but I should accept them as parts of me. I think. and I guess, in a way, they all fulfill some purpose.
many years ago I heard a poem about versions of oneself. I forgot the details, and I forgot who it was from, and I'm since then always on the search, or at least on the lookout for that poem, as I'd very much like to hear (or read) it again.
maybe someone here knows it? although, I'm afraid I'm pretty accurate in remembering that it was in German?
That's exactly what I am wondering about, are all the versions "real"? I have the feeling that there is at least one version that is somehow societytrained, and not really me. Of course somehow a part of me but maybe a version that could do some "unlearning"? If that makes sense?
totally makes sense. but I consider the society-trained version(s) also version(s) of me. I mean... aren't all our versions in some way or other "trained" by outside conditions? not solely, but in addition to whatever the version is "from the inside"? makes me think of the "no WOman is an island"-saying - there is no version that's completely uninfluenced by anything. or is there?
These are very interesting points and I had to think about them for a while. Now I am back with one thought. For the different versions theory we would have to agree that we are many different versions and are ok with that. But what my gut feeling says, and maybe Sokrates did too; is that there is a way to know yourself so well, that you can exactly tell the you version apart from the versions influenced by society. Which makes the thinking complicated, because I do agree that it might be impossible to have an uninfluenced version of yourself. But still I have the feeling that there is a core you. Someone you really get to know throughout your life. And you get more you, the older you get. But only, if you do the work.Self Knowledge is essential for Wisdom. And if you want to know yourself, you will probably have to choose one version that is you and see and maybe even accept the influenced behaviors as part of the one version that is you. And the better you know yourself, the better you get at leaving old patterns behind. Hell, that's complicated :D
oh, but about the "unlearning". yes. I think I know what you mean and I agree. but then. also the unlearning doesn't exist outside society, maybe? ;)
[which sounds like we are trapped somehow, but I don't even mean it in a negative way, just neutral]
Different versions- oh yes I could go on about that subject. Your experience regarding socializing resonates.
I am very fond of the Old You puppet. The New You is BREATHTAKING!!! She/you radiate a lot more wisdom and experience than Old you. I think you have accomplished a remarkable thing artistically & philosophically (seriously)… when New You is finished, you now have an actual inter-dimensional portal… Old You, New You, and You You occupying the space between…I can’t wait to see the movies made with you all 🩶🤍
I am glad to hear that I am not alone with this feeling of a real me and a not so real me. It feels strange sometimes. But I do have the feeling that with time, and a lot of work, the real me gets to stay for longer periods now.
Right!? I love the new me. I didn't make the puppet base though. And I sometimes feel a bit bad a about it because I can see how awesome she is and I could never create that myself. But I am painting her, giving her hair and life (and clothes! Very important:)
And you are so right; she is like a portal. Into my own world, because she will be able to interact with everything.
What you wrote about having different versions of ourselves... I feel it too. And I wonder if everyone feels this (perhaps they have different selves but aren't aware of it). Perhaps it is necessary as not everyone would accept parts of us. We change according to who is around us, in order to make sense of where we are in that moment - for ourselves and for others. And I just read some of your blog posts. Your depth pf feeling in your art, especially the puppets, is heartwarming. Thank you for sharing your you-you here and on your website.
Oh thank you so much! You have no idea how much that means to me! Specially that you also visited my blog. I do love writing about my puppets and my world. And I am happy when my words do reach people after all. I mean, there are so many words and artworks out there, which is wonderful, but it makes one person hard to be seen and heard. So thank you for that.
And yes, I absolutely agree. We create this different versions of ourselves. I think it begins when we are children and we create versions out of survival instinct. And sometimes they might be obsolete, later in life, but we can't let go of them. That's how I feel sometimes at least. Like there is a very childlike version of me at work, and not in the playful funny way. But I am glad that you feel your different versions too. It felt so strange to write that because I was afraid that maybe no one could relate.
I think most of us have different versions of ourselves. As I’ve gotten older, I like to think that the “real” version of me is the one I reveal most often these days. At some point during my life experience, I think I finally accepted myself and decided on a “take me or leave me” approach. I’m blessed to have great friends who know how strange I can be and celebrate my strangeness. LOL. I love both versions of your puppets! I’m excited to see how they continue to appear in your art! Hugs!
There are so many versions of ‘me’ I get confused: the ‘mom’ me, the professional work ‘me’ (when I’m supposed to have answers to things), the ‘me’ talking to the checker at the grocery store…
But honestly, I think the real me shows when I’m with my Imaginary Friends…and when I’m with my dog.
I love all of your puppets past, present and future. Every puppet you make has some ‘you’ in them which is why they are enchanting.