Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?

I believe that we’re shaped by who we are & our experience. It comes down to the environment & experience. If you grow up around toxic people you too can become toxic.

I grew up with alcoholism & abuse but decided in my 20’s to seek therapy. Trauma therapy. Showing me that both sex & alcohol can make trauma worse. So I cut out both for over a year. It’s something I don’t feel guilty about anymore but at the time people who didn’t understand what I was going through called me names & prude came up quite often.

To this I think it helped see red flags in my friendships & my relationships. Flags I’d ignore if it wasn’t for therapy. I no longer find highly drunk/high people interesting rather I feel sorry for them & their battle to stay sober.

I think we’re definitely formed by both the environment & experience you can choose a healthy path or a toxic one? However, if you’re toxic I don’t want your addiction or lack of respect & boundaries in my sphere. Because I’ve grown & people that don’t grow become stagnant & in the end toxic.