Fair enough, but I still don't see why that dictates your very personality.

Because to me, it's such a silly thing. While you might not like it, I really do think your forced perspective shift was for the better. While you might take pride... I see it as arrogance. It insults the part of me that still takes pride in who I really am, because it tries to devalue the choices I've made. However, I'm happier as I am now. Which way were you happier?