Dear Cafecito,
Mimetic desire is a concept developed by French philosopher René Girard, which suggests that human desires are not entirely original but are often shaped by observing and imitating the desires of others (McCabe, 2018). This idea shows how people desire what others have. We desire it because they want it.
In my own experience, I have seen mimetic desire play a huge role in the lives of people who have been in and out of my life. There’s been instances where acquaintances or friends have suddenly taken an interest in the exact same hobbies, career paths, or even personal styles after seeing me pursue them. I have also seen this happen to other people as well. Although it can be flattering at times, it makes me wonder about the concept of originality. Would you agree that finding one’s own voice is such a struggle?
The problem with this is that people who constantly imitate without finding their own voice or set aside time to pursue their own passions, may lose sight of what actually makes them happy. It’s that simple.
I have also noticed how mimetic desire affects people in social media. For instance, whenever we scroll on social media for hours, we don’t realize we are looking at a curated version of people’s lives. We get influenced to copy trends, lifestyles, and even in the way we think. Instead of developing our own creativity, we get caught up in a cycle of wanting what others have, which is the trap of mimetic desire. This is where social comparison kicks in, and it makes us not appreciate our lives. This is the power influence. Yikes!
Mimetic desire doesn’t have to lead to negative outcomes, right? Sometimes we just need a dash of positivity to help us keep moving forward. We might pick up a few positive habits here and there based on the concept of mimetic desire. I understand sometimes we imitate others without realizing it, but we cannot let imitation replace authenticity. You’ll get lost in the sauce and not develop your personal growth and self-awareness.
Stop for a moment and reflect by asking yourself if your desires are truly your own or borrowed from the people we look up to and admire. Finding your own authentic voice does require a conscious effort by reflecting on what you value and feel passionate about rather than wanting what others have by mirroring their life choices.
Thank you for stopping by, and have a wonderful week! ♡
Until next time,
Clari♡ from The Cafecito Diaries ☕️📝 | 💌 hello@claribotello.com
Disclaimer: This post is provided for educational and informational purposes only. This post does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services.
Reference
McCabe, B. (2018). Rene Girard and the mysterious nature of desire. Hub. Retrieved from https://hub.jhu.edu/2018/08/08/rene-girard-evolution-desire/
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