Identity

"Who are you?" This is a question I think about both for individuals and organizations.

Turns out that defining your own identity can be quite a challenge. There are so many categories we can be grouped into – gender, nationality, profession, education, religion, political belief, hobbies, etc. Some labels are ones we want to be tied to our identity and others are not.

The funny thing about identity is that each of us has at least three identities – the way we see ourselves today, the way others see us, and the way we ideally want to be. Sometimes these match but there is frequently a gap, especially if we end up identified as something we don’t feel is accurate or representative of who we are. This gap can be a struggle as you may feel restricted to how others see you rather than being true to yourself.

As humans, we try to fit in and categorize ourselves. It’s natural and hard-coded into us for safety. Not only does it define who we are, our identity defines our interactions and where we feel welcome. Our self-identity can often constrain us and makes it difficult to expand your identity.

Do you ever think about expanding your identity?

When I think about growing my identity it involves picking up new hobbies and interests. But because people are so good at grouping with others like them, it can be hard to break into well-established groups. Over the past year, I've been obsessive about photography and added "photographer" to my identity (though I have trouble expressing as I may have Imposter Syndrome).

Find activities that reflect your true self. Try to meet like-minded individuals who have the same interests, but also be welcoming to those looking to branch out and show others the joy of what makes up their identity.