THE MATERIAL SELF
King James V. Tubigon
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Sanny L. Tangente Jr.
December 13, 2024
INTRODUCTION
“Who am I without the things I own?” This question struck me as I’ve learned about the
concept of the material self. I doubt that it’s easy to define oneself, but to think I can define
myself through my possessions is truly fascinating . But the big question is that, does that truly
reflect who I am? I’m writing this reflection as I explore how the concept of my identity deeply
relates to my material self, how consumerism affect me, and how deep is my attachment with
material possessions. By exploring my material self I want to understand how possessions shape
my identity and discover the relationship between having material possessions to discovering
the concept of my identity.
REFLECTION AND ANALYSIS
One of the things I’ve learned in class is about William James theory of the material self.
James described, the self is made up of the body, clothes, family, and home. My body is where it
all begins; how I see myself and how others see me. My clothes, on the other hand, let me show
the world who I want to be, often reflecting my confidence and personality. My family gives me
a sense of belonging and support, and my home is my refuge, where I feel most like myself. Yet,
possessions are not always positive. On one hand, they can give comfort, security, and self-
expression. For example, whenever I’m at home I feel at peace and secured . On the other hand,
I’ve been caught up in consumer culture, buying things I don’t really need just to keep up with
the trend or try to impress others. This has made me question whether I control my possessions
or if they control me. James’ theory made me realize that while my identity is shaped by the
things I own, it’s not entirely defined by them. I’m learning that my true self exists beyond the
brands I wear or the home I live in. Looking at my life through James’ theory made me feel both
aware and uneasy. I realized how much value I place on my body, clothes, family, and home
having each deeply tied to my sense of self. Yet, it also exposed my struggle with consumerism,
where I sometimes use possessions to define my own concept of self.
IMPLICATIONS
From now on, I want to rethink how I view material possessions. Instead of buying things
out of impulse or just wanting it, I will focus on practicality and start considering whether it truly
adds value to my life or not. For example, I can prioritize meaningful possessions, like a book
that helps me gain knowledge over superficial ones. I will also practice gratitude for what I
already have, reminding myself that my worth isn’t tied to what I own.
CONCLUSION
Reflecting on William James’ theory has shown me how much of my identity is tied to
my material self and how consumer culture often distracts me from who I truly am. While
possessions can bring comfort and meaning, they should serve me and not define me. This
reflection leaves me with a powerful reminder, my identity is not found in what I own but in how
I choose to live with and beyond those possessions.
THE PHYSICAL SELF
King James V. Tubigon
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Sanny L. Tangente Jr.
December 16, 2024
INTRODUCTION
Who am I when I look in the mirror ? I found myself asking this question as we discussed
the concept of the physical self in Understanding the Self. The discussion spanned from self-
esteem and its three types to the definition of beauty. It was a thought-provoking exploration that
revealed much about how I perceive myself and how society’s ideals influence that perception.
The purpose of this reflection is to share my personal journey in understanding my physical self
while linking it to self-esteem and the concept of beauty. Through this process, I hope to
recognize how my physical self contributes to my identity and how I can nurture a healthier
relationship with it.
REFLECTION AND ANALYSIS
As we discussed the physical self, I felt a mix of pride and insecurity. On one hand, I
have always been a bit confident about my appearance, but on the other hand, I carry insecurities
about my imperfections. For instance, I’ve often wondered how my slight insecurity about
certain physical features affects my self-esteem. Recognizing these feelings made me question
whether I prioritize external validation over my own perception of beauty. The three types of
self-esteem includes high, low, and inflated which helped me better understand my emotions. I
realized that my self-esteem changes depending on how I view my physical self. For example, on
days when I feel confident, my self-esteem aligns with the characteristics of high self-esteem
where I feel motivated, confident, and capable. However, when insecurity creeps in, my self-
esteem dips, leaning towards low self-esteem, leaving me vulnerable to negative mindset. The
discussion about beauty also hits me. Society often portrays a certain beauty as a goal or more
like a unattainable standard, yet I learned that true beauty is subjective and encompasses more
than just physical appearance. This insight challenged me to redefine my standards of beauty and
focus on appreciating my unique traits rather than comparing myself to societal ideals.
IMPLICATIONS
This reflection has taught me that nurturing my physical self requires balancing self-care
with self-acceptance. Moving forward, I plan to focus on actions that boost my confidence
without relying on external validation. I will also aim to challenge my negative mindset by
practicing gratitude for my physical body and what it allows me to do, rather than fixating on
perceived flaws. I also want to redefine my idea of beauty by learning how to appreciate the
beauty of diversity and uniqueness of things.
CONCLUSION
In reflecting on my physical self, I have gained deeper insights into how self-esteem and
societal beauty standards influence my identity. I have learned that understanding my physical
self goes beyond appearance instead it’s about fostering a healthy, balanced relationship with my
body and mind. As I move forward, I will carry these lessons with me, striving to appreciate my
physical self for all that it is. I leave this reflection with a phrase “true beauty comes from
accepting your own uniqueness”.
THE POLITICAL SELF
King James V. Tubigon
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Sanny L. Tangente Jr.
December 16, 2024
INTRODUCTION
What does it mean to be a good Filipino Citizen nowadays? This question came to mind
during our discussion in Understanding the Self, where we explored the political self. Politics is
often associated with government, but I’ve realized it goes deeper than that as it reflects the
values we hold and the ways we interact within our community. This reflection aims to show
how the political self is shaped by personal experiences, Filipino traits and values, and how these
can guide me to be a better citizen. Through this, I hope to understand my role in society and
how I can contribute as a citizen.
REFLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Discussing the political self made me feel reflective, even a bit dumbfounded. I hadn’t
thought much about how my political beliefs were formed or how they influence my everyday
decisions. It made me aware of my role in society that I’m not just simply part of society or just
someone who follows rules and law of the country but as someone who contributes to the well-
being of others. I felt both proud and responsible, knowing that my identity as a Filipino carries
values that have been passed down through generations. Learning about the origins of the
political self helped me understand how my environment has shaped my beliefs. My family
taught me to value community, respect elders, and be compassionate toward others. These traits
influence how I view things in life from then on. For example, I tend to admire those elders for
being wise and those young leaders for being bold and show inclusivity. Discussing Filipino
traits and values deepened my appreciation to where I came from . Traits like bayanihan and
utang na loob show how interconnected we are as a Filipino. I also reflected on Filipino
resilience and optimism where even if we experience great calamities and even pandemic we
don’t lose hope. These Filipino traits inspired me to stay hopeful even when facing challenges
and hurdles in life. Learning about Filipino markers, such as our strong family ties and
hospitality, reminded me of how our culture shapes our identity. These markers are not just
traditions; they are behaviors that define how we engage with the world. It made me think about
how I represent myself as a Filipino, whether it’s through my interactions, my work, or even the
way I speak about my country.
IMPLICATIONS
Understanding the political self has practical implications for how I live my life. For
instance, I’ve realized that being a good Filipino doesn’t just mean following rules or being
patriotic but instead it means being active in improving my community. One way I plan to apply
this is by being more involved in local activities, like clean-up drives . These actions may seem
small, but they reflect the bayanihan spirit I value. I also want to embody the traits of a good
Filipino in my daily interactions such as being respectful and willing to help others.
CONCLUSION
Reflecting on the political self has been an eye-opening experience. I’ve learned that my
identity as a Filipino is shaped not only by my family and culture but also by the choices I make
every day. As I move forward, I want to live in a way that honors my heritage while contributing
to a better society. Being a good Filipino is not just about pride in our culture but about using our
traits and values to create positive change. The question I now ask myself is, “Am I proud being
a Filipino?”
