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Remember Who We Were
Furkhan Dandia
September 02, 2025
In partnership with
Remember Who We Were
In last week's episode of EZ Conversations, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Peter Kennedy (listen here). Peter's entrepreneurial journey inspired me, and I learned from his ability to create opportunities for himself. However, what stood out to me most was the culture he has built at his latest venture.
During the conversation, Peter shared an enlightening experience he had in Brazil with his wife that had a profound impact on him. As a father of five, Peter found comfort in his emotions and discovered a path back to himself. When I asked Peter about the title of his book, Remembering: A Journey Back to Self, and what inspired him to write it, everything started making sense—including his passion for the work he now does.
As I reflected during the week and in my conversation with Peter, I examined aspects of my own life that have shaped me. It is easy to become bitter and resentful in the face of malevolence in the world, but it is also possible to give back. While there is darkness at times, we can choose to be the light—not only for ourselves, but also for others.
I often return to Carl Jung’s reminder about the world telling us who to be, especially if we don’t know who we are. Before the social conditioning of the world around us, we were all children with curiosity and awe—and that is who we must return to if we are to experience our existence truly. Contentment is not found in more; it is found in finding joy in where we are.
Modern research supports this truth. Studies on nostalgia—the act of remembering who we were—show that recalling meaningful past experiences fosters resilience, strengthens self-continuity, and enhances well-being (Sedikides et al., 2015). Reflection on formative memories helps regulate emotions, reduces stress, and strengthens our sense of meaning in life (Wildschut et al., 2006; Zhou et al., 2008). Remembering who we were is not just a sentimental exercise; it is a psychological tool that reconnects us with our authentic selves, allowing us to navigate adversity with greater strength.
It is not easy in a world that constantly bombards us with messages of who we should be. Disconnecting can feel impossible. Yet the deeper task is not escape—it is remembrance. To remember who we were is to reawaken joy, curiosity, and awe. And when we do, we find that the light we were seeking was always within us.
So, this week, I leave you with this invitation: take a moment to remember who you were before the world told you who to be.
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"The world will ask you who you are, and if you do not know, the world will tell you"
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