Understanding Personal Evolution, Identity Change & Growth
The word “identity” is one that we all know. However, what does it really mean? How can we use identity as a form of self-expression? How can our identity change and adapt to our lives? This blog will examine how we express identity as a core part of ourselves and how over time, as it changes, so do we.
What is Identity?
Identity has many meanings. The broader definition includes all our memories, experiences, values, and relationships within our sense of self. Identity can also refer to one’s role in life, such as being a child, a friend, a sibling, or a parent. It involves physical and external characteristics such as age, height, race, socioeconomic status, and even political beliefs. Identity is something people constantly question. We are often asked, “Who are you?” and “What do you want to become?”, pressuring us to externalize one solid identity that is approved by others.
From an early age, we are taught to discover our identity, to understand our self-concept, and what matters to us as individuals. After that, we emerge as teens and are instantly hit with many identity obstacles: physical changes, peer pressure, and friendship changes. Social media impacts our opinion of ourselves by reflecting societal norms and near-perfect lifestyles that seem impossible to maintain. Adulthood cements our identity, with many people choosing to become a spouse, parent, or take up a permanent job.
Layers of Identity
Within identity, there are several layers. Identities are flexible, shaped by life, social, and cultural factors constantly, always changing, and never staying the same. Categories exist that we have created to split identity and understand its complexity.
Individual Identity: This type of identity refers to our unique traits, how we define ourselves, and what makes us different from others. It could mean what we do in our free time, what hobbies we enjoy, and what sports we play. Our genetic traits determine a high amount of our individual identity, as well as the environment we grew up in during childhood. For example, my individual identity revolves around my love for nature, brown eyes, and the high school that I attended. Everyone deserves to be able to express their individual identity freely, without oppression or criticism.
Cultural Identity: Cultural identity refers to the beliefs and norms shared by a specific cultural group of which we are a part. Some examples of this could be languages, traditions, foods, and social behaviors. Many of these traits are inherited by family and community and passed down through generations. Cultures can also refer to national or regional groups. Religion also ties into cultural identity: many religions have ethnic or national ties to a specific region, continent, or country. For example, my family is Greek-American and also Greek Orthodox, as many countries in Central and Eastern Europe practice Orthodox Christianity. Cultural identities can evolve, especially in countries with a variety of people from different backgrounds.
Group and Social Identity: Group identity, also known as social identity, refers to the similarities and characteristics we share with one group. Within this group, there may be specific social expectations that we are called to follow. However, social groups can lead to the formation of in-groups and out-groups. In-groups refer to those included in the group who are socially accepted and who share the same behaviors as the other members. The out-group refers to members outside the group who are discriminated against, shunned, and often stereotyped. For example, often in the past in America, those who were born in the country exhibited harmful attitudes towards immigrants. In this case, the in-group would be those born in the country, and the out-group would be people migrating to the country. Social identities may be beneficial for creating a sense of belonging; however, this stigma is harmful and shouldn’t be supported.
Why am I Afraid of Identity Change?
When it comes to changing or shifting one’s identity, we often develop a large sense of fear and dread. It’s completely understandable, after all, our identity is how we present ourselves to the world, to our families, to our friends. We crave comfort and familiarity, not uncertainty and chaos. Despite this, change is exactly what we need to grow. When we are hit with an identity crisis, instead of panicking, let’s ask ourselves why it’s happening and how it could turn out helpful. Once we begin to see change as something positive and intentional, we can reframe our fear and develop thoughts of resilience. Fear isn’t negative, but we can restructure our cognitive mindset, using phrases such as “Why do I feel this way?” and “Is this fear accurate and helpful?”, to shift our thinking towards positivity. Change takes trial and error and drawbacks. It is never easy, but we can use our personal values as a guide and compass to direct decisions about change.
Identify Shift is Needed for Change
Identity shift isn’t something you wake up and achieve. It’s a process that takes a long amount of time, exploration, and dedication. Psychologist James Marcia, in his assessment of identity development, created four statuses pertaining to identity change in psychosocial development. These four paths showcase the complexity of identity shift and the different paths that one takes during this journey. The four categories are:
Identity Diffusion: Individuals are in this stage when they have little connection to a specific identity. They lack a sense of purpose and sort of float aimlessly through life. This stage is the most challenging, because people might need help from others to develop a purpose. However, it’s up to the individual to get through this and find a commitment.
Identity Foreclosure: In this stage, individuals haven’t made any commitment towards identity. However, their familial behaviors likely have impacted their sense of self. For example, people who grew up following a certain religion likely maintain that as part of their current self. Individuals like this might not have explored or experimented otherwise, and might not wish to change their choices.
Identity Moratorium: This occurs when you are exploring multiple choices but haven’t yet committed. This is the second to the final stage of identity change, and is a key component of personal evolution. After all, if we can’t know about other options, we won’t experience change. While this period may be anxious and tough, it’s necessary. We’re asking more questions than we are receiving answers, and that’s ok.
Identity Achievement: Finally, this stage revolves around finding one’s own identity and achieving one's goal. We are committed, know who we want to be and where we are going in life. Some examples of this could be getting married or achieving a dream career. Individuals make a conscious decision and have accepted what they have chosen.
Stagnancy Versus Growth
Stagnancy is many things; it’s a mindset, it’s a feeling, and it can become a lifestyle if we do nothing to change it. Unfortunately, it’s easy to fall into stagnation, a relationship could collapse, a job could be lost, or another major life event could impact our mindset. All of a sudden, we feel a lack of motivation and desire for growth, settling only for the bare minimum and refusing to learn more about ourselves. We allow the fear of failure to help us move forward. We are afraid to change our identity, it’s the one thing that is a constant for us, and change would introduce something that we’ve never experienced before. Without a growth mindset, we can’t reasonably achieve personal evolution.
Personal Evolution: What It Is
What is personal evolution? How does it relate to identity change? Personal evolution is a radical acceptance of who we are, a development of self-awareness. It takes a change of perspective, because we change how we see ourselves in the world. We need to engage ourselves and fully commit to this transformation. It’s also important to be able to grow in a positive environment, surrounded by others who are supporting our journey. Taking responsibility for our behavior is key, as is learning to manage and regulate our emotions and responses to life’s challenges. Having growth in the face of setbacks is a key factor of resilience that is a catalyst for personal growth. We leave behind our past selves to find our future selves. This journey will be uncomfortable and hard at times, but it is hard to turn back once we have experienced the beginning of personal growth. Remember, every step you take, no matter how big or small, you are doing for yourself.
Evolving Throughout Your Wellness Journey
Accepting and understanding identity is a large factor in one’s own self-wellness. In order to grow as a person, we must be comfortable with change. Personal growth acts as a catalyst for wellness, allowing individuals to move from a passive lifestyle to a state of growth. For more resources on wellness, check out social media.