I find writing in the third person sometimes teaches me things about myself that I might not uncover writing in first person. Maybe the way our dreams show us things about ourselves we don’t see when awake. Happy 2025, looking forward to more Desk Notes wisdom.
Although I've only tried the practice a few times, I definitely agree that it can be useful to write about yourself in the third person. I don't believe that I discovered anything new when I tried it, but the perspective shift itself can be illuminating. And you've reminded me that I should try it again. Thank you for the comment and for your words about Desk Notes, John.
Well done. The metaphor of the dog on the leash works both ways, the tether can allow the dog to feel safe, but it can also make it unapproachable to others - a distance between fur and touch, or bone and chew. Point is, glad you're so tenderly and astutely loosening your leash.
That's a very good point about the dog metaphor. And unapproachable writing—or speech, certainly—doesn't exactly sound like the ideal projection for the world. Thank you, I appreciate the thought comment, Trilety.
Somewhere back in the 70’s at art college, an oft read and shared shelf help book proclaimed that using “I” in a sentence was psychologically inferior. A harsh judgmental point of view that I struggled with for many years. First person, who me?
Who wrote that book I wonder, I cant remember now? One of the many misapprehensions we carry as humans about our identity?
I do appreciate your irony—forgetting the name of the writer who disliked the first person. It is notable how certain ideas, however haphazardly heard or read, seem to linger, almost especially when they are unhelpful. Thank you very much for the comment.
I find writing in the third person sometimes teaches me things about myself that I might not uncover writing in first person. Maybe the way our dreams show us things about ourselves we don’t see when awake. Happy 2025, looking forward to more Desk Notes wisdom.
Although I've only tried the practice a few times, I definitely agree that it can be useful to write about yourself in the third person. I don't believe that I discovered anything new when I tried it, but the perspective shift itself can be illuminating. And you've reminded me that I should try it again. Thank you for the comment and for your words about Desk Notes, John.
Well done. The metaphor of the dog on the leash works both ways, the tether can allow the dog to feel safe, but it can also make it unapproachable to others - a distance between fur and touch, or bone and chew. Point is, glad you're so tenderly and astutely loosening your leash.
That's a very good point about the dog metaphor. And unapproachable writing—or speech, certainly—doesn't exactly sound like the ideal projection for the world. Thank you, I appreciate the thought comment, Trilety.
Somewhere back in the 70’s at art college, an oft read and shared shelf help book proclaimed that using “I” in a sentence was psychologically inferior. A harsh judgmental point of view that I struggled with for many years. First person, who me?
Who wrote that book I wonder, I cant remember now? One of the many misapprehensions we carry as humans about our identity?
I do appreciate your irony—forgetting the name of the writer who disliked the first person. It is notable how certain ideas, however haphazardly heard or read, seem to linger, almost especially when they are unhelpful. Thank you very much for the comment.
Thought provoking. Thanks Charles.
Thank you, Colin.
Having read all 251 issues of Desk Notes, I believe this may be the only essay liberally sprinkled with the word "I". A different perspective indeed.
Thank you—I certainly appreciate that reading.