You are a breath of fresh air. Re philosophy, check out this recent post from Douglas Giles. https://medium.com/original-philosophy/what-is-philosophy-e6ab7bbb2299 Occasionally people block me for linking my own stuff in comments even when contextual. They don't realize I often link the work of others. Some recognize that I am what Mehmet calls a builder of invisible bridges. Being INTP helps. What are you?

Hamlet. Everyone with the fucking "To thine own self be true" tattoo (oh shit, that rhymed) potentially uses that for the opposite of what Will intended. Polonius was a selfish fuck. Like my dad who loves that quote (but never knew it was from Shakespeare let alone Hamlet because he preferred to make up all kinds of excuses for why he did poorly in school instead of admitting he spent all his time and money on other pursuits, and playing the victim of circumstance instead of the covert narcissist that he is--well actually that is exactly what a covert narc does), is just that kind of selfish fuck who advises self-interest as the only interest that shoulld matter.

I used to internally roll my eyes when my father would say that, thinking, ok you manipulative piece of shit, what if being true to yourself is being an asshole? In an essay I wrote for myself a few months before joining Medium, I wrote " do not seek answers in what society expects; do not be afraid to live life in alignment with soul and nonconformity with community; to thine own self be true IF, IF, IF thine own self is not unethical or immoral.

At some point after joining Medium I did a bit of research into the phrase and found various interpretations. People usually use this line from Hamlet, “to thine own self be true,” to represent integrity and healthy individuality, when in actuality Polonius was entirely selfish and what he might be saying to his son is “Screw everyone else. Put yourself first, do what you want, and don’t worry about what other people might need or want.

Ides of March + 2 is the day that starts fucking with me just after New Year. St Patty's day. This link will inform. https://marcus17043.medium.com/i-dont-feel-like-celebrating-5a33a570917d