Identity

Self-identity refers to the way in which individuals define themselves and perceive themselves in relation to the world around them. At its core, self-identity is about understanding who we are, what makes us unique, and how we fit into the broader social and cultural contexts in which we exist.

So, who are you?

What does it mean when that identity shatters, the moments that follow after you realize who you thought yourself to be is completely incorrect. Even who you keep aspiring to be, no longer applicable. Were you always wrong, if not, what changed …

Hitting a single weak link in this chain, causes you to start questioning everything you believe yourself to be, your morals, values, strengths, weaknesses, why you believe them or why you don’t. Leaving you to feel lost once again.

When you don’t have a strong sense of who you are, it can be difficult to make decisions, set goals, or form meaningful relationships. You feel like you don’t fit in anywhere, and you  constantly question whether you’re living the life you truly want. Leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, and even hopelessness.

Struggling with self-identity is a confusing experience, it can be challenging to differentiate between who you truly are and the expectations and pressures that come from the people and culture around you. You can feel like you’re constantly wearing a mask, trying to fit in with others, or trying to be someone you’re not.

If you are like me, there may be multiple voices inside your head fighting for the power to control this outcome. Each with their own ideas, opinions, and beliefs about who you are and who you should be.

Voice one: “I should be more outgoing and social,” Voice two: “But I’m not really comfortable in social situations.” Voice three: “If I don’t go out and make more friends, I’ll be alone forever.” Voice four: “Do you even deserve to have relationships.”

These conflicting voices creating a sense of confusion and frustration. How do I tell which voice to listen to? Some voices may be rooted in fear, anxiety, or societal pressure, while others may be more authentic and true to one’s core identity, but how would you know with each voice competing for attention and dominance.

If you attempt to “start-over” how far back do you go, how do you know which beliefs to keep and which need reconsideration. Most importantly, how do you know you can trust the new “opinions” you conclude to, and how long will they be valid.

Should you be who you think you are, or focus on trying to be who you want to be. Trying to be who you believe you are can be a powerful and liberating experience. This involves embracing your core values, beliefs, and personality traits, and living authentically in a way that aligns with your true self. By being true to who you are, you can develop a stronger sense of self-worth and self-respect, and build deeper and more meaningful relationships with others. However, trying to be who you want to be can also be a valuable and transformative experience. This involves envisioning the kind of person you want to be and actively working towards that vision. This may involve learning new skills, developing new habits, or adopting new perspectives that align with your aspirations.

Beyond all that, with this question only increasing in size, how can you build up the energy to even attempt an answer …

The easiest is to just keep your mind too busy such that you never think of this, but how healthy can that be. Do you always want to run from answering who you are.

If you are me, the answer is yes, blast music through any silence to drown out the voices, but for when you do want to try and face your fear, this document might help.