Have you ever felt like you were waiting for a manual to arrive in the mail, something that would finally explain exactly who you are supposed to be? Jean-Paul Sartre’s profound idea that existence precedes essence suggests that we aren't born with a pre-written script or a fixed purpose. Instead, we first simply exist, and then through every choice, every stumble, and every triumph, we begin to define our own meaning. It can feel a bit overwhelming to realize there is no blueprint, but there is also an incredible, shimmering freedom hidden within that realization.

In our everyday lives, we often fall into the trap of trying to fit into boxes that others have built for us. We tell ourselves we are 'just not a math person' or that we are 'destined to be quiet.' We treat our personalities like they are carved in stone. But when we look closer, we see that we are constantly reinventing ourselves. Every morning is a tiny opportunity to decide what kind of person we want to be in that moment. We aren't defined by our past mistakes or our current circumstances; we are defined by the very next step we choose to take.

I remember a time when I felt quite lost, much like a little duckling separated from the flock. I was convinced that I had to be a certain way to be worthy of love and success. I felt trapped by the label of being 'anxious' or 'uncertain.' But then I realized that those were just descriptions of how I was feeling in a specific moment, not a permanent definition of my soul. I started making small, intentional choices—choosing to be brave in small ways, choosing to be kind even when I was tired. Slowly, I began to write my own essence through those actions.

This philosophy invites us to take the pen into our own hands. If there is no pre-determined essence waiting for us, then the canvas of our lives is entirely blank and ready for our colors. You are not a finished product; you are a continuous work of art in progress. The weight of responsibility that comes with this freedom is heavy, but the beauty of it is even heavier. You have the power to shape your character through the life you lead.

As you move through your day, I want to encourage you to look at a choice you have to make not as a test of who you are, but as a tool to build who you are becoming. What small action can you take today that aligns with the person you wish to be? Remember, you are the architect of your own meaning.