Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?

Your ‘definitions’ are not limited or static or even situational. I thought I was shaped by my surroundings for a long time and it never really bothered me as such till the day I knew I had more questions than answers, I started seeing things differently and realized how different I was from the people I grew up with. The outsides looked similar but the insides felt different. And the asynchrony of my thoughts and actions and feelings, everything was messing with my head.

Your surroundings certainly play a major role. However, how you respond and what you choose to take from the experience defines who you are and that is constantly evolving.

So to answer your question I would say that it can shape you, but the power to be defined differently is totally yours.