Can people truly change who they are, or just their behavior?

[MissSunshine2]

[fluffydevilxx]

At 31, after seeing people from all walks of life, I’d say this: people can absolutely change, but it’s usually their habits and responses that change first. Whether they change who they are depends on what you mean by “who they are.”

Your personality, temperament, and natural tendencies tend to stay fairly consistent. A hot-headed person may always feel anger more quickly than others. A shy person may never become the loudest in the room. But both can learn self-control, confidence, and healthier ways of reacting.

Real change happens when someone has enough reason to do the hard work, whether that’s love, pain, failure, parenthood, or simply deciding they’re tired of repeating the same mistakes. It takes honesty, accountability, and time. Words don’t change people but consistent actions do.

I’ve met people who quit addictions, became faithful after years of cheating, learned patience after years of anger, and rebuilt broken relationships. They were still recognizably themselves, but they had become better versions of themselves.

So my answer is that people can change their behavior, and over time those repeated behaviors can reshape their character. But don’t judge change by promises, judge it by what someone consistently does when nobody is watching. That’s where genuine transformation shows itself.

[bear34]

This varies from person to person. Some are open to self-improvement. Others are stubborn and always think they know best. We should stay away from that type of person.

[Masie]

I think with a lot of hard work someone can change but it depends on what they are changing. Someone get sober and stay that way for example. I am sure that isn't easy and many don't succeed, but I have heard of those that do.

Then there are other things that I don't think people can change.

[_Jenny_]

@MissSunshine2 not really

[_Jenny_]

@MissSunshine2
Thank you for the MHO

[strateguy632]

yes if they want to. i see this at church. but most people even if they say they want to change just lied.

[exitseven]

No, people do not change who they are. Sometimes circumstances require them to act differently.

[sage2021]

I wouldn't want to change who I am at my core. But tweaking things in one's behavior that makes them a better person is a good thing. 👍🏼

[AgentG111]

It's all a cover up.

[Bklynbadboy12]

Anything is possible and yes people can change

[Badthings]

Not completely but normalle change

[Paige2006]

Temporary but not permentally

[In_Trance]

Not as a rule