Coining a new identity term:
Thesean
One who considers what makes up their body, self, or identity changes often enough, or to such a degree that what does and does not count as a part of them is unconventional.
Theseans may consider their core identity to have changed over time until they no longer see themself as the same person or identity they used to be. This being may consider their past or future self to be an entirely different being from who they are now, or are only able to make weak or few comparisons.
A thesean may also believe what counts as a part of them changes depending on if they frequently use a tool, are often in a certain environment, or have a disability aid.
Alt text: a horizontal bicolour flag. The top half is bright yellow, the bottom half a neutral purple. Overlayed is a black letter delta (I have an svg version but tumblr doesn't seem to like it)
What does thesean mean to me(OP) personally?
There is no strict definition you can apply to me that would include everything that is me but not also include things that are not me, and vice versa. If it's parts of me that are connected to the nervous system then that excludes hair, fingernails, and the outermost layer of skin. If it's anything that's attached to my body then does blood count as being attached? If blood counts as being attached does saliva or mucus? If it's anything that comes from the body then that includes shed hair, shed skin, and bodily waste.
I consider everything I use to interact with the world to be a part of myself, if not at least an extension of my body. I use my drawing pad to interact with a digital canvas, my drawing pad is a part of me. I use my computer to interact with many experiences that I would not be able to otherwise, my computer is a part of me. I use medication for mental health and for asthma, without them there would be no me, they are a part of me.
I feel less and less connection and relation to my younger selves, they are not me, I am not them. My past selves are not strangers to me but they are not me, myself.
Thesean labels and terminology
Thesean comes from the thought experiment, the ship of Theseus. If you are unfamiliar with it then here's a brief retelling: Theseus owned a ship, and as it got older the sails frayed, and were replaced, then the hull warped, and was replaced, then the mast cracked, and was replaced, until eventually none of the original parts of the ship remained. The question usually asked is if it's still the original ship.
Thesean can be used as a noun or an adjective, the noun for the quality of being thesean is theseanity
You can add the prefix thesea- or thesean- to any category of identity to describe it as having changes over time to the point it is no longer what it used to be (e.g. theseagender, theseasexual, thesearomantic, theseakin, etc)
If you need to specify a broad form of thesean not related to any specific category of identity you can use theseaself/theseanself. If you are thesean in a broad range of individual categories you could use panthesean, or omnithesean.
Make your own thesean identity labels if you need!
Is being thesean related to queerness/alterhumanity?
That's completely up to you! If you think it ties into your other identities then it can absolutely inherit those labels.
How do I know if I'm thesean?
Do you see pictures or have memories of your younger self and feel detached from that person? Do you have memory issues that mean you can't remember things too far back? Do you simply reject the idea that you have been the same person your entire life? Do you think that what counts as 'you' may change depending on tools or disability aids you use? If the answers to any of these was yes then you can use this label! Think there's another reason I didn't list that makes you thesean? Go for it!
What does the flag mean?
Yellow represents the contrast between past and future selves. Purple represents the blurriness between what is and isn't you. The letter Δ (delta) is used in science to represent change. Black represents the lack or absence of relation to your past and future selves.
Can I make my own flags?
I don't own this identity, do whatever you want! Make new flags, make new labels, I'm not your boss.
If anyone thinks my writing could be more concise, have some additions, or if you have questions please let me know!
