The Truth about Identity Nobody in the Mainstream Talks About

The link between depression, burnout, and identity

I’ve been thinking about “identity” for the past few days.

I could say: “I am a copywriter” or “I am a teacher/coach,” but that’s just what I do (it’s not who I am).

I could say: “I am British” or “I am English,” but that’s the societal identity and social conditioning attached to being born in the UK.

I could say: “I am kind,” “I am honest,” or “I am caring,” but those are values we all live by.

There have also been times in my life when I mistook my “identity” for the way I looked or for the makeup and clothes I wore! But that was just aesthetics — a way to cover up imperfections or wear a mask to hide the real me.

I could say: “I am still overcoming depression.” But even though depression is part of me, it doesn’t define me. And it doesn’t have the same power over me anymore.

It’s a constant companion that wants to create the illusion that it wants to destroy my life force. Dim my sparkle — rain on my parade — keep my laughter silent — keep me small — distort my perception.

Luckily, I know I was born a joyful soul (and my innate lifeforce is stronger than decades of bottling up emotions and counterintuitive thought patterns), so I can consciously create magic by singing, laughing, playing, and dancing it out.

It takes effort, but trust me, it’s worth hitting the yoga mat or doing what feels good in the moment.

Sometimes, you almost need to hit rock bottom to find the energy and gumption to fight for your position in life.

I’ve recovered once and still failed to own my frequency, so I slipped back into old patterns. But the beauty of the human condition is RESILIENCE, and I can rise up again and again.

I will keep being a peaceful warrior until it’s not a constant effort to turn on my shine (unless I find myself in flow).

But it’s time to STEP UP and find the courage to be the Leading Lady of my own life (and stop sitting on the sidelines when “I don’t feel like [fill in the blank] today.”)

I need to stop being okay with “feeling content,” which served me when I recovered the first time because my energy was limited.

I still won’t be everyone’s cup of tea — that’s okay — people on a similar frequency will gravitate towards me organically — the Law of Attraction in action.

Still, at least I’ll turn up to the party, hit the dance floor, and OWN my highest frequency.

I’ve been dancing to the beat of my own drum inside my head for decades, and it’s fun.

But I need to stop being scared of getting the side-eye.

Some people won’t like me, whether I play small or full out — so I might as well own my own authenticity and shine my light to empower the people who need me.

Besides, the world needs more light, love, laughter, and peace.

So tell me, have you ever struggled with owning your identity? And did you find your own way to take it back?