Carving Our Identity Outside of Society

When you create your own identity outside of others’ expectations, you have the ability to be true to yourself. You are able to freely express your thoughts, beliefs, and values without conforming to those around you. When we are in alignment with who we truly are, we can feel that satisfaction and fulfillment within our lives.

Life is way too short to be just like everyone else. We are all unique individuals and essentially, we all need each other because of our differences. If we were all the same and had similar traits and habits, who would we learn from? How would we know any different?

It can be insanely difficult to be different in a world where we have norms and customs within society. We perform an action or speak our thoughts aloud and somehow on the other side is always an opinion. It can be difficult and quite scary when we are unaware of unknown. We are comfortable with familiar expectations and once we want to try something new, we fear getting judged for it.

There are so many benefits that come along with carving your own identity and shaping our own lives. Being real and authentic provides you the ability to form authentic relationships and have deeper and meaningful connections. When we have the freedom of choice, it allows us to make choice that align with our values and beliefs. When we are able to make the judgement between what is right or wrong, it provides us an opportunity for growth and self-development. As we are on the road to self-discovery, we must also remember that progress over perfection is always what we are looking for. This allows us to have the learning space to make mistakes, try again, and learn ourselves as we go.

You might be wondering, why is it so difficult to be yourself when there are so many benefits that come with it. Trust me, it confuses me as well. To be honest, it can be quite difficult to choose to stand out and purposely be the odd ball. Trying something new can be difficult and come with some uncomfortable emotions that we must face to succeed and be happy. I’ll always remind you that it is important to be comfortable in the uncomfortable.

There are various reasons why we tend to not carve out our own identity and be true to ourselves. Sometimes we are simply unaware of alternative perspectives or know how to challenge societal norms. There is also a lot of social stigma when it comes to not doing what is considered to be common. There can be a lot of shame and judgement and it can feel like a personal attack to an individual. It’s very common for us to seek comfort and stability and what easier way than to follow the crowd.

I can think of several times where I have went along with the group and have been the follower. In these situations, I found that in the end, not only was I not happy, but I also didn’t think I made the best choice. It’s definitely easier to fit right in with the crowd, but just because everyone is doing something, it does not mean it is the right or fun thing to do.

In conclusion, the journey of creating one’s identity is an empowering process that provides our life with purpose and joy. Throughout our path of self-discovery, we are able to discover our finest qualities, passions, and values. The benefits range from forming authentic relationships with others, building confidence, building resilience, learning more about ourselves, etc. Creating our identity is overall a journey that shapes who you are as an individual. Remember, you are important and you deserve to take up space.