“Who Am I?”

Who are you? 

Perhaps you can answer that question with ease. You might give your name, your profession, or the roles in which you function. Yet, those answers do not really capture the heart of your identity. Significant numbers of individuals experience profound internal struggles because they do not know who they truly are beyond those  labels, functions, and achievements.

Having a true sense of self - an identity - is a critical part of living well. Certainly, we can all experience times when we feel like we don’t know who we are. This can be especially true during challenging seasons, such as losing a loved one, being unemployed, going through a divorce, or moving to a different country.

A real identity crisis, however, is different. It is not merely situational, but pervasive, and it causes profound struggles. Those with identity issues can experience anxiety, insecurity, depression, hopelessness, difficulty with emotional intimacy, a chronic sense of loneliness, and more.

How do you know if the struggles you are experiencing are tied to your sense of self? Ask yourself a few questions:

1. Do I have difficulty determining my own needs?
2. Do I experience anxiety when what I want is contrary to what others want?
3. Am I unable to maintain a consistent sense of self or identity when others exhibit strong emotions?
4. Do I feel the need to make things right so others will not be upset with me?
5. Am I unable to experience a positive sense of self when circumstances or people are negative, imposing, or challenging?
6. Is there a pattern of “performance” in my life where I often do things to keep people happy?
7. Am I experiencing depression? (Symptoms of depression can include fatigue, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, irritability, trouble concentrating, loss of interest in things once enjoyed, changes in appetite or weight, feelings of guilt, feelings of helplessness, and sleeping too much or difficulty sleeping at all.)

If you answered yes to any one of these questions, it is possible that your sense of self has been wounded or compromised in some way. If you answered yes to a few or several, it is very possible that you are struggling with an identity crisis. Thankfully, there is help and hope. The true joy of living with a healthy sense of self can be yours. Reach out for help and find freedom.