The Me and the Not-Me

"The Me" refers to aspects of ourselves that we recognize as our identity, such as our thoughts, feelings, desires, and physical body. "The Not-Me" encompasses everything outside of our personal awareness—other people, objects, and the environment—that we do not see as part of our inner self. This distinction helps us understand how we perceive our own experience versus the external world, forming the basis for self-awareness and personal boundaries. Essentially, "Me" is the inner self, and "Not-Me" is everything else beyond our immediate perception.