Egocentricity – As Promised

…and yes, I am still egocentric

Egocentric – someone who is limited in outlook or concern to his or her own activities or needs : a self-centered person

Merriam Webster Dictionary

I was noticing how many times I begin a sentence or paragraph with that single letter word. Of course, I’ve known it all along, since childhood, I’m sure. Though some people in my universe think I am a caring, empathetic, even compassionate person, I know, and am egocentric even about, what are deemed my character flaws, and shortcomings. Be honest. Don’t we all? But ego, and therefore being egocentric is not necessarily a bad thing if kept in life’s balance.

“But the vast majority of people are, by definition, and as a need for survival, egocentric.”

Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Aug. 2022

Humans have survived in large part due to their adaptability. We developed ego as a survival tool. If we didn’t care so much about ourselves, we would not have nurtured our survival instincts. Thus, ego, in itself, is at least neutral, if not a beneficial aspect of our humanity.

Getting to the crux of why I am able to write about my own egocentricity. Grace Dow writes about egocentricity related to the arts in her article The Artist and the Ego.

When it comes to creativity there are two virtues you hear praised over and over again: vision and action…

But I’m here to argue for the third essential quality of any creative endeavor: Ego…

Oxford Dictionaries defines “ego” as “a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance.” It has come to be known as a dirty word of sorts, equated with arrogance and vanity. But for artists, I would argue that it’s something of a necessity.

Grace Dow, Medium, July 21, 2017

Grace goes on to quote Norman Mailer, George Orwell, and Mary Bennet to drive home the point that artistic people need to be, and perhaps are by nature, egocentric. That they, we, couldn’t put ourselves out there unless we possessed the gumption to do so for all to see. No matter what they see. This article by Grace Dow is a fun read. Just get past the first two paragraphs.

In a The Creative Mind article entitled Creativity and Ego, Douglas Eby discusses a relationship between art, ego, and perfection. Artists seek perfection and are in constant pursuit of validation from those they wish to affect. Mr. Eby is a psychologist who researched the psychology of creative expression and personal growth. Some interesting reading.

So there it is. I admit it. I am egocentric. The challenge is not “sounding” egocentric when writing. Why? Because I try NOT to be arrogant or haughty in my daily living and lifestyle. Because, though apparently I not only am, but need to embrace my egocentric nature, I don’t want it to rule me, nor my music, nor my writing.

Consequently, now you will probably notice every time I begin a sentence or paragraph with that one letter word, “I”. There must be other ways of relating thoughts, feelings, and experiences, that are more inclusive yet still personal.

I know myself. I like myself. But not all of my self. There goes that need for perfection again! Have you had enough of me yet? “I” hope not.