This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
In the modern world, where digitalization is accelerating, time is fragmented, and individuals are constantly exposed to stimuli, the relationship people build with themselves is increasingly weakening. Social media profiles, professional titles, consumption habits, and external criteria of success make it difficult for individuals to access their authentic selves.
Modern life offers individuals numerous opportunities, yet it also imposes an equal burden. This era, described by sociologist Zygmunt Bauman as “liquid modernity,” renders the stabilization of personal identity nearly impossible. Constantly changing work environments, multiple identities, and the “ideal selves” displayed on social media erode the individual’s relationship with themselves.
As Jean Baudrillard observed, when “images” replace reality, the inner voice of the individual is lost among external noises. As the inner voice of the self is silenced, the individual begins to mistake societal expectations for their own desires. Thus, the self becomes an image producer, valuing how it appears rather than what it truly feels.
The antidote to the noisy age is silence. Setting aside a specific time each day to detach from digital stimuli and simply think, feel, and observe is essential for reestablishing contact with the self. Slow walks and periods spent away from technology form the foundation of this process.
In the cyclical rhythm of modern life, a sense of belonging is strengthened through rituals. A morning cup of coffee in silence, a weekly walk in nature—these acts anchor the individual to their self. Such practices support the inner dialogue between the individual and their own being.
The concepts imposed by the external world are often arbitrary. Words like “success,” “beauty,” and “happiness” do not carry the same meaning for everyone. Therefore, each individual must construct their own dictionary—defining what they value and what holds meaning for them.
Human beings exist within society, yet this existence can also lead to alienation from the self. Excessive identification with a profession, social role, or stereotype obstructs the natural flow of the self. It is crucial to ask ourselves: “Am I living as myself within this role, or am I performing someone else?”
Origins, belonging, and the past are the building blocks of the self. Family stories, childhood memories, traditions, and forgotten linguistic patterns all guide the individual in reconstructing their identity. By tracing the echoes of the past, the individual can discover the roots of their present existence.
Finding the self in modern life is not an escape, but a process of confrontation. This confrontation demands the courage to break free from externally imposed definitions and to hear one’s own voice. The path to the self begins in silence, continues through remembrance, and deepens through the search for meaning—an inward journey.
The purpose of this text is to leave the reader alone with one question: Who am I really, and for whom am I living this life?
The Disappearance of the Self in Modern Life
Reclaiming the Self
Meeting Through Silence and Slowness
Creating Meaningful Rituals
Building Your Own Dictionary
Questioning Social Roles and Identities
Connecting with Memory
The Courage to Return to Oneself