If you were struck with amnesia today, who would you be?

While I sincerely hope that you never suffer from any sort of memory loss, the question makes for an interesting thought experiment.

Everything you are today is tied to who you believe and think you are. But, if you were struck with amnesia, then your entire identity would be lost. You would still exist physically, but mentally, you’d be close to a blank slate. Imagine that. Your mind wiped clean and ready to be reprogrammed.

Where would you begin if you had the opportunity to reprogram your mind?

What would you add or eliminate?

I know this sounds a little farfetched but play along for a moment. Remember, it’s only a thought experiment.

By the way, if you’re hesitating or not willing to release yourself from reality for a moment or two, then that might be a trait you’d consider eliminating.

I’m asking you to play along with this thought experiment because I want you to experience how invested you are in your current identity. And bring to light the idea that you believe your current personality is carved in stone and cannot be changed.

But you can change. If you want to.

A quick personal note. At times I think change should be written like this, c-h-a-n-g-e. To emphasize that change is a process, and the dashes between the letters are steppingstones on the journey.

Pretending or adopting temporary amnesia is one way to create change in your life. You can ‘forget’ how you’ve responded in the past and try a different approach. Doing so will feel uncomfortable at first, but the discomfort is the feeling you’ll get when you’re on the dashes between the letters of change.

So, the next time you’re faced with a situation where you think you’d benefit from acting differently, consider forgetting how you’ve behaved in the past. Take a step in the direction of a new version of yourself, one that knows change is possible.

P.S. Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed it, please share it with one person you love.