How can you encapsulate your literal identity? What even is identity, and do I have one, or am I a victim of the hive mind?
THINK PAD
Scrolling through Instagram, I often see people questioning something I myself have never had an answer to, something everyone confronts at some point, whether it’s on college applications or in response to the question “Who are you?” on anxiety-controlling therapy apps you will find on the app market. But who are you, really? The answer to this existential question is far too complex to fit in a three-line prompt. How can you encapsulate your literal identity? What even is identity, and do I have one, or am I a victim of the hive mind?
What is identity?
Identity, as defined by Psychology Today, encompasses people’s values, which influence their choices. It is the culmination of one’s roles as a child, parent, partner, or friend, reflecting both external and internal aspects—morals, beliefs, perceptions, and biases. In fact, one can have multiple identities, and no one can fully know your true identity because it is human nature to adapt to different situations and perceive matters differently.
Identity emerges from every instance of one’s life. From culture to principles, sexuality to loved ones—identity is an expression of one’s perception of life and the impact it has had on the psyche. Every aspect of identity contributes to a persona, presenting itself as cultural identity, gender orientation, political affiliations, or the collective ideals of any group one is a part of.
Identity theories:
Since identity forms through our experiences, theorist Erik Erikson believed that children raised in supportive environments typically develop a more stable sense of self, while those raised in less supportive environments may struggle to find and understand themselves. He described adolescence as a period of “identity vs. role confusion,” suggesting that those with a more concrete identity during this time (as a result of their upbringing) emerge with a stronger sense of who they are and their essence as a person.
Jeffrey Arnett, on the other hand, believed that identities are largely formed between the ages of 18-25. He claimed that this formation relies on exploration and possibilities within three different ‘realms’: love, work, and worldviews. Exploring intimacy and romantic connections teaches young adults what type of person is most compatible with who they are. Work helps secure a sense of identity by revealing what they are good at, what satisfies them, and provides the financial security needed for further self-exploration. Worldviews encompass their beliefs and values, contributing to the overall formation of their identity.
What is my identity, though? How can I find it?
Identity remains intangible. It’s not a physical ‘thing’ that one can find and identify, but rather an idea that emerges through self-exploration. Identity is unique to each individual. To ‘find’ it, one must learn about oneself—understand your interests, likes, dislikes, and hobbies. Explore your beliefs: are you religiously inclined? What are your goals in life? Who do you want to be? If you can’t figure out what you want to be, making an anti-goal can be helpful—identify everything you don’t want to be and work against it to achieve your ideal self.
Try new things in isolation. What are your beliefs, opinions, and likes when it’s just you, without any outside influence or coercion? Perhaps inside, you are still an eleven-year-old obsessed with One Direction. Identify that person and connect with them. Until you connect with and understand your past selves, you cannot understand that your current self-identity is ever-evolving.
Some practices to discover yourself:
Try journaling; make lists of what you like and dislike, and be as shallow or deep as you like. These lists can be about anything—food, actors, or philosophical ideologies.
Write—this can be about anything. Write about whatever interests you. This can help you explore your true interests. Maybe you want to write a paper comparing Marx and Kant, or Ronaldo and Messi. Writing about anything that captivates you is a way to understand and explore your identity further.
Finding oneself is a journey, and I have found that one discovers the most about oneself through mundane activities. Part of my identity lies in the way I drink my tea, as it is how my mother makes it, or in the way I love strawberry cheesecake ice cream, because it was my uncle’s favourite flavour. Maybe who I am is a girl who loves the smell of rain because it reminds me of the common in front of my aunt’s flat. Identity lies in the mundane; it is a collection of every major and minor instance you have ever experienced.
“We lose ourselves in things we love. We find ourselves there, too.” –Kristin Martz
