Identity

Who are you? I’ve noticed that when I ask that question in my personal and professional life, people respond with their name. Yes, that is part of your identity, but in reality it barely scratches the surface of who we are. We are more than our name, job, career, parental status, hobby or any one thing that we identify with. Those are all parts of who we are, but we often don’t think about our values, perspectives on life or even philosophical and/or religious views and beliefs as part of our identity. I believe that those things get deeper into who we truly are rather than the things we do. It’s easy to gloss over or forget those things when we are in crisis or have struggled with substances for a long time. I explore these things with most folks that I work with. It often leads to a more complete understanding of who they are and can improve their self esteem and confidence. Knowing who you are and the things that you stand for is a great way to set a solid foundation for your wellness.