What is Identity? What does it mean for me, to be myself?

What does it mean for me, to be myself.

I have and have had many identities through out my life so far:

  • Female
  • Daughter
  • Sister
  • Mother
  • Nana
  • Wife
  • Divorcee
  • Single Mum
  • Married
  • Step Mother
  • Secretary
  • Charity Worker
  • Business Owner
  • GP Practice Manager
  • NHS Project Manager
  • NHS Quality Manager
  • Photographer
  • Camper
  • Motor Homer
  • Home owner
  • Renter
  • British
  • English
  • Student
  • Driver

I’m pretty sure there are many more that I’ve forgotten as well. I deliberately haven’t added any of my physical attributes with the exception of being female. It seems that we do like to put labels on people, Why?

The first ever identity I was given was that of “it’s a girl”. This is something, that for me, I’m ok with, and am happy to identify as, but that very first identity bestowed upon you, has and does cause a life long problem for some people. Not only does it influence the name you’re given, but also the clothes you wear, the toys you play with, your position in the family. It must be so difficult if you don’t identify with that defining identity.

I feel that I have a good sense of self within my personal life, but sometimes find that within my professional life, once people have decided who they think you are, that persona is very difficult to shift. This has led to me having to move jobs to reaffirm myself. I currently work with a number of clinicians who struggle with the fact I am not a clinician doing the same job as them. This I think, is more of a challenge to their own sense of identity, than it is to mine.