I Am Who I Am, Not Who You Say I Am

Do you actually know who you are?

Photo by Nishaan ahmed on Unsplash

Self-discovery really is a lifelong journey. We aren't necessarily born knowing exactly who we are; instead, we are born into who we are supposed to be, branded into categories by society - gender, religion, class, and expectations.

Many of us understand that feeling of growing up and sensing that something doesn't click - that something is amiss. We go through so many different life experiences and process so much information until we finally find something resembling a clue. From there, it becomes a rabbit hole in a good way; we learn who we are as we live, until we can perhaps finally get that answer.

Self-discovery is also about un-becoming everything that wasn't you in the first place. It involves removing layers of other people's opinions, old habits, and societal rules to find who we are underneath, and that takes immense courage.

I believe many people go their whole lives without ever reaching that level of clarity. Many die still wearing the brand they were given at birth, never knowing they had a choice to change the label.

So, it is a blessing to finally get those answers, regardless of how long it took to find them. It might even be a greater blessing to discover it later in life, because we finally have the capacity to live our truth without needing anyone else's permission.

Identity isn't a destination you reach at 18; for many, it's a lifelong excavation of the self.

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A quick note: As most know, my health has worsened. Managing my condition & constant hospital commutes are exhausting my daily spoons. Writing is my lifeline — the one thing I can still do while managing treatments or being bedbound by a flare-up.

If you find value in my work, please consider buying me a coffee. Your support is vital & goes directly toward my medical expenses. Thank you.

©Britt H.

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More about the person behind the writing in My Introductory Post

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