I have always had a sense of individuality. I am unique, and that is comforting and comfortable. Moving to the United States seven years ago seemed the most natural thing to do. Now moving back for a couple of years, shakes up a bit my sense of identity. I am certainly not going back to some old self. I always enjoyed the freedom to be corky, direct, transparent, quiet or enthusiastic and not waste time justifying any of it, but for some reason going back, I wonder about my people’s expectations of me.
I have to accept that I’ll disturb waters, that I’ll challenge the status quo. I’ll have to remember every day who I am, slow down to communicate and courageously set expectations.
So what about one’s identity? It is mostly highlighted by what we fill our days with, but does that define it? I have allowed my job to influence a big part of who I am, mainly because I admire the company I work for and it aligns with my values. But at the end of the day, my identity is not in my job, my social or marital status or even my nationality. We have a say in defining who we are through our choices and beliefs.
If we are not intentional about defining our identity, other people or things will do.