The Authenticity of Being Human: Mistakes and Fragility
When our beliefs about ourselves are deeply shaken, when we encounter an aspect of ourselves that we never expected, we are confronted with a harsh truth: our humanity. This stark confrontation makes visible the authenticity and fragility of being human. It reminds us that change, making mistakes, and breaking down are not only natural but also inevitable parts of the human experience. Such moments confront us with the realization that transformation is not just a necessity, but the deepest and truest essence of being human.
Choices, Change, and the Nature of Growth
Life consists of a series of choices. However, these choices are not fixed contracts that remain valid for a lifetime. Changing an opinion, a path, or a decision is often not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of growth. Change is considered a fundamental part of individual development (Roberts & Mroczek, 2008).
Throughout life, a person only experiences the same moment of existence once; over time, they change. Change is the inevitable result of personal evolution and is not a betrayal of an individual’s inner consistency but rather its manifestation.
Social Perception and the Legitimacy of Change
While society expects consistency from individuals, it often greets change with skepticism and judgment. However, normalizing the act of saying “I changed my mind” is not only an individual example of courage but also a possibility for societal transformation. A culture that allows individuals to reconsider their opinions, choices, and life paths is one that fosters development.
Change does not occur through external intervention but as an internal readiness process. According to Prochaska and DiClemente’s (1983) model, individuals are willing to change, but they resist being changed. This distinction shows that change is an authentic process that must be based on the individual’s inner dynamics.
Neuropsychological Perspective: The Reflections of Change in the Brain
Change leaves its mark not only in our thoughts but also in the structure of our brain. When we change our minds or develop a new perspective, the neural connections in our brain are reorganized. This process is known as neuroplasticity. Our brain uses its flexibility to adapt to new experiences; letting go of old habits can be challenging because we face uncertainty when abandoning familiar patterns.
Particularly, areas like the prefrontal cortex are activated when making new decisions and charting new paths. At the same time, brain centers that manage emotions, such as the amygdala, work to reassess past experiences and adapt to the new situation.
In moments of change, our brain almost reconstructs itself. This biological process is not just a renewal but a transition to a more flexible, conscious, and deeper existence. Every change leaves an invisible mark of growth in our minds. We create a new mapping for the rest of our lives.
Mistakes, Change, and Rebirth
We have the right to make mistakes, take risks, fail, change our minds, and be reborn. Fixed perceptions of identity hinder the natural evolutionary process of the human being. Kübler-Ross’s (1969) change curve model also shows that every transformation involves a kind of grieving process because change is a transition from one identity to another, and the individual moves forward by incorporating the past version of themselves into the new self. The new formations that follow losses allow the individual to develop a deeper meaning map.
Constantly being accused of changing based on past references is akin to judging the nature of being human.
Conclusion: The Humanity of Being Human
Changing is one of the most genuine and profound aspects of being human; it is not stagnation, but transformation that proves we are alive.
“No one remains the same on the path they take. The journey transforms the person.” (Mungan, 1996).
References
Kübler-Ross, E. (1969). On Death and Dying. Macmillan.
Mungan, M. (1996). Üç Aynalı Kırk Oda. Metis Yayınları.
Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1983). Stages and processes of self-change of smoking: Toward an integrative model of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51(3), 390–395. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.51.3.390
Roberts, B. W., & Mroczek, D. (2008). Personality trait change in adulthood. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17(1), 31–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2008.00543.x