you deserve to be happy instead of fulfilling people's built up stereotype of you
I like that this wording implies that Theseus is the ship. It’s contextually appropriate but it’s also just a very funny reinterpretation of the entire mythostructure. Sure, why not, the ship is the main character now.
We are going to gradually replace every aspect of this metaphor until there are no original parts left
In all seriousness though, the original post is good advice.
I have been thinking a lot lately about how my default state is to make myself small, to avoid conflict, to avoid disappointing or upsetting other people at almost any cost, to meet expectations. It is so easy for me to slip into being a social chameleon, to the point where I don't even know my own opinions or preferences. It eats at the soul. I'm working on it.
Don't define yourself by other people's faulty mental models of you.
