Commitment

My friend Anais asked me to answer a survey for one of her classes a few months ago. It was already 4 am where she was so I had to finish it in less than 5 minutes- she was literally blacking out on me. I just found the file again on my hard drive so I decided to post it. Commitment is just one of those really complicated things that sometimes comes naturally but often feels forced. Sometimes it lasts forever but most of the time it dies out. I struggle with commitment everyday, whether it be for my quest to get healthier, to ace all my classes or even with my relationships. I guess the responsibility that comes with it kind of scares me a little but this short survey made me feel a lot better because now I appreciate the fact that I have free choice, that I myself decide on my commitments- not my parents, not my peers, not my government, not anyone. So instead of thinking of them as constraints in my life, they are now a sign of the great liberties that I have been gifted with. Thank you. <3


1. What is commitment?

Commitment is loyal engagement or involvement.

2. What is commitment for you?

Commitment is motivation and determination coupled with perseverance and the deliberate notion that you shall never give up.

3. Do you believe in commitment?

Yes.

4. Do you see any changes in the concept of commitment in the present as compared to the notion in the past?

Possibly. The way that I see it, obligated commitment was far more common in the past than it is right now. Today, the idea of self-determination is a lot more popular so people insist on making their own choices and thus deciding on their own commitments.

5. Why do you think the concept of commitment changed throughout time?

The concept changed because our social environment continuously evolves.

6. What factors contributed to the change/s?

Everything from the transformations in religious beliefs, political ideologies and even exposure to different cultures.

7. Do you think that this change is good? Or bad?

I believe that this kind of change is good.

8. Was commitment simpler before?

It’s difficult to say as I have never experienced commitment in any other form.

9. Do you think that committing to someone now is complicated?

No.

10. Is it supposed to be objective –with just one definition and very much structured? Or can it be subjective in the sense that everyone will have their own interpretation of commitment?

Commitment is something very personal so I believe that it can never be objective. People will commit to different things for different reasons and they will do so in their own unique way.