How do you define yourself?
Identity is the total concept of you. It’s the answer to “Who am I and “where and how do I fit in?” What you think about yourself plays an essential role in the quality and direction of your life. It may be defined by and influenced by culture, life experiences, social environments, 
sex and sexual encounters, the physical body, vocation, ideology, spirituality and/or psychological factors. It’s what makes you distinct and unique from everyone else. As all these variables begin to blend during adolescence you slowly start to learn “Who I am.”
Some people; however, get stymied. They don’t successfully establish a good internal sense of identity. This can lead to low self-worth, self-doubt, self-destructive behavior, depression, anxiety and a general feeling of void.
How is your identity?
- Do you pretend to be someone you are not with certain people?
- Does your definition of self depend upon how others treat you or label you?
- Does your definition of self depend upon external events that are really out of your control?
- Are you confused about your gender role or sexuality?
- Are you confused by your culture or ethnicity?
- Are you drawn to the anonymity of social media, and spend most of your time with online ‘friends’ rather than the important people in your life?
- Are you harassed by self-deprecating thoughts?
- Do you think you are not worth loving?
- Do you feel lost in life, like you have no purpose?
- Do you continue self-destructive behavior despite your desire to stop?
At LifeWorks we understand the confusion and pain these thoughts and feelings may cause you or your loved ones. The good news is we can help.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their personal identity, we recommend the following LifeWorkers:
Please call or email LifeWorks for more information, or to make an appointment.
Resources:
Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions by Roberta M. Gilbert
The Resilient Self by Steven and Sybil Wolin
Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Identity and the Life Cycle by Erik Erikson
www.psychologytoday.com, search “self identity”
