Identity crisis
Identity Crisis
How you define yourself, belief systems, values, social imprints and stereotypes.
Helping clients when faced with Identity crisis. Choice points; frame of reference; imprints; patterns.
The choices we take to define ourselves in terms of self-concept as well as social concept through the plethora of our deeply instilled values, beliefs and belief systems, we at the same time, consciously and unconsciously create an identity, a persona, within ourselves, that many a times we take for granted or just accept as de-facto- ‘’this is who I am’’ or ‘’I cant change, its my_____(character; temperament) or any other word that fills in the blank above.
An identity crisis is a crisis when a person questions their sense of self, who they are themselves as well as others and what is their role, where do they fit in the world. The reasons vary and although are individual for each person, there is shared consensus that it results from the ever-changing world and circumstances around us as well as different life challenges and milestones. Like in every light, there is dark and in every dark there is light (Ying yang), identity crisis should be viewed as a reassessment and an opportunity to evaluate ourselves as well as outgrow and change certain aspects of ourselves that are now needed. Metaphorically speaking, as the seasons of the year and nature go in accordance to change, so do we. The problem usually is our lens and frame of reference we take into experiencing something as well as that most of our lives, we live unconsciously and unaware, has left us split and full of questions we seem we cant answer or let alone face.
What is the self?
The self is a result from self-consciousness joined with physicality, a recognition that ‘’I’’ experience and its my experience, ‘’I am’’. Self-awareness is the ability to be both subject and object to yourself and self-concept therefore is the sum total of the individual’s thoughts and feelings about himself or herself as an object (Rosenberg 1979).
Our concept of self is also composed of various identities, attitudes, beliefs, values, motives and experiences along with their evaluative and affective components (eg self-efficacy or self- esteem) in terms of which each individual define themselves.
What is Identity?
Identity refers to who or what one is and the various meanings attached to oneself by self and others. The concept of self -identity refers to the self- characterizations individuals make in terms of group memberships, social roles and categories as well as the various character traits an individual displays and other attribute to them on basis of her/his conduct. To put it in a nutshell, identity is the most public aspect of self.
Personality
Personality, in general refers to the various psychological traits, motivations, dispositions and patterns of thinking and feeling. ( Singer and Kolligian 1987). Please note that we will not delve here into depth of personality theory or clinical psychology but rather only mention its definition in brief terms.
All in all, the self is then a part of personality that is aware of itself and defines itself in terms of these qualities.
What is Identification?
The process of identification and self-dynamics, reveals that individuals have multiple identities and these identities are in fact active agents which influence one’s behavioural choices. They thus provide behaviour with meaning, goals and purpose(Foote, 1951).
Thus the notion of self and identity are separate. Identity is not a substitute word for self but rather a situatedness of the person in terms of standing in the context of a particular relationship or group.
What are roles and Role Identity?
A role(or roles) and role identity(identities) is(are) the aspect that a person constructs within their character as representation of an individual within a particular social position and social structure. The multifaceted nature of self (each being an identity) is tied to a multifaceted nature of society (McCall and Simmons, 1966). This further means that the more complex society is within and around its structures, the greater the need for more roles and identities to exist within it as members.
What is Social Identity?
As the famous generalisation yet valid statement states, ‘’we are all social beings’’, social identity emphasises how group membership and belonginess have consequences for interpersonal and intergroup relations. In the process of searching for a positive sense of self, people compare their group with relevant other groups and act to create a favourable distinction between the groups, this can be at times with negative consequences for intergroup relations (for example conflict/discrimination). By searching for the self in others, we categorize others as having purpose for our own social identity.
Awareness
When one is unaware, one is separate, in separation we build walls and defences and keep the loop of pain, emotions and other imprints, not understanding the prison we create unconsciously. We create multiple images of ourselves with certain expectations of each, certain roles and personas, but is it possible to live without an image of ourselves? The first step in resolving our ‘crisis’’ is through awareness and attention, through stepping out of our perceptual positions and taking a choice, giving a chance to experience something differently. The self is individual as it is collective, the self is aware as it is unaware, the self is an ongoing process and an invitation towards discovery of who one is independent of labels, stereotypes, identities and identifications.
Wholeness
Through integrating the unconscious mind and the conscious; tackling the frame of reference, understanding the choice(s) to be made and the willingness to take the necessary steps to a whole and unified self.