"Best Version of Myself" – The Philosopher Smackdown (With a Dose of Personal Venting)

I swear, every other person I meet is all about becoming the "best version of themselves". It seems as though this slogan has become a mere buzzword, mindlessly repeated without much introspection. Each time I hear it, my inner self starts screaming, and here's why...

Hold on to your hats (or your philosophical textbooks), because this well-meaning phrase is about to go under the microscope!? Sure, it sounds inspiring, but let's be real – life's more complicated than a motivational poster.

A Pinch of Positivity

Okay, let's give credit where it's due. This little phrase does pack a punch of ambition. It's about wanting more for yourself, aiming higher, refusing to settle for mediocrity. Kinda like levelling up your life, right? Philosophers who love action and personal power might give it a thumbs up.

Philosophers: Grumpy, Giggly, and Everything in Between

But here's where the brainy crowd starts to get antsy. What the heck does "best" even mean? Richest? Prettiest? Master of sourdough baking?? Enter the Epicureans, champions of pleasure (not the sleazy kind).? They're wondering if your "best self" gets to enjoy those simple pleasures or if you're chasing some elusive state of perfection.

Speaking of perfection, let's not forget Sartre and De Beauvoir. They're all about the messy freedom of creating yourself through choices. This whole "best" thing sounds like running away from your responsibility to figure out who you want to be. Yikes!

The Stoics are already giving the phrase serious side-eye. They're focused on inner strength and peace.? They'd probably say, "Your fears and flaws are holding you back, buddy. Until you face those, that ‘best’ self is more like a slightly upgraded limited edition of self." Ouch.

Heidegger might see it as the ultimate distraction, a way to play dress-up with society's expectations instead of facing your deepest fear -? that you have no clue who you really are. Extra ouch.

And if we bring in Camus and his absurdist crowd, they'd probably find the whole thing laughable. In a meaningless universe, what's the point in chasing an arbitrary ideal? Their focus would be on defying absurdity through passionate action despite the odds.

The Smarter, Philosophically Approved Way

Okay, so maybe it's time to ditch the "best version" thing. What if we try these instead:

• "Get curious, not perfect": Explore, screw up, learn, repeat. Sounds way more fun!
• "Embrace your inner mess": Sartre and De Beauvoir would be all about owning your awesome absurdity. True authenticity isn't about becoming your "best" version, but about embracing the contradictions, anxieties, and the often-messy journey of self-creation.
• "Seek pleasure mindfully": Channel your inner Epicurean – find joy in the simple things. We live in a world of constant stimulation, bombarded with messages that equate happiness with consumption. Mindful appreciation of simple pleasures offers an antidote to the endless striving and dissatisfaction that "more" can bring.
• "Focus on the journey": There's adventure at every step, even the messy and painful ones. Discomfort, failure, and even heartache are inevitably part of the journey of a life well-lived.
• "Let it flow": Channel those Taoist vibes and find your rhythm within change, not against it. Joy and sorrow, success and failure are interconnected. To "flow" means allowing all aspects of experience, not just chasing the "good" ones, because each teaches us about change and ourselves.

Final notes

Wanting to grow is fantastic! But how about we drop the feel-good slogans and get real? Getting better is complicated, awesome, often a bit absurd, and never really over.? Let's ditch the idea of a "best" self and focus on becoming more interesting, courageous, slightly ridiculous, and maybe even a little bit hedonistic (in the philosophical sense!) versions of ourselves we can be!

Want personalized guidance on this journey? I'm always happy to discuss how coaching can support your unique path – learn more at www.coachingwithnatalie.life