An identity, to put it simply, is who you are individually. Our beliefs, style, interests, personality traits and experiences all help shape our identity. It is a cumulation of facts about who you are.
An ‘identity crisis’ can occur when you are questioning who you are as a person or be triggered through experiencing a major life event. This could be something like graduating university or losing someone significant in your life.
Questioning your identity can be a tricky period, leaving you feeling disconnected with yourself and purpose. Remember that everyone will go through this at some point in their lives (sometimes multiple times), so try not to worry.
Although dubbed as a ‘crisis’, this is an opportunity to rediscover yourself! Change helps us develop and grow as humans, so instead of viewing this as an urgent issue that needs to be fixed, instead take your time to try out new things; a new hobby, emerge yourself into meeting different people by going to new places, talk to a professional about what you are experiencing.
Although dubbed as a ‘crisis’, this is an opportunity to rediscover yourself!
Journalling can be a great record to explore your emotions and see how far you have come or where you want to go. After you have tried something new, write about it afterwards. What did you like or dislike about the experience? Did you meet anyone interesting? Would you go to an event like that again?
View this as a trial-and-error period. This is a new phase of your life, accept this may take some time. As humans, we are not expected to stay the same, try as best as you can to embrace your self-evaluation and go easy on yourself.