Coping With Becoming Someone New

Have you ever wondered who you’d be in an alternate universe – the version of you who took the other job, stayed in that city, didn’t cut bangs, or actually followed through with your new year goals?  This week, we’re talking about the fantasy of becoming a “new you”, and how the 00s makeover montage promised a level of transformation that real life (and the wellness industry) absolutely cannot deliver on. Because somewhere between the slow-motion hair flip and the big reveal, we were sold the idea that upgrading the self is not only possible, but required.  Join Alice Griffin and Jannah Anderson as we unpack the pressure to evolve publicly, the discomfort of outgrowing old versions of ourselves, and the quiet hope that comes with imagining who we might still become.  Watch: The Plastic Detox What if you could do it all over? by Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker  Why we’re drawn to “fresh starts” by Megan A. Neff Psychology Today  Psychology Today: Definition of neuroplasticity Buddhanet: definition of Anatta   Modernity and self-identity by Anthony Giddens The orphic origins of belief in reincarnation in ancient Greek philosophy by Hasskei Mohammed Majeed  Britannica: Myths of rebirth and renewal  Scribalo: The myth of the Pheonix Get noticed to get ahead: the impact of personal branding on career success, by Sergey Gorbatov, Svetlana N Khapova, Evgenia I Lysova Want to support our show? We'd be so grateful if you hit 'follow' or left us a 5-star review so we can bring you more Coping content. Plus, you can follow along with us on Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest. Find out more about what we're up to (and how you can get involved) at copinginc.com