Content Contributed by: Well Defined
Author: Froswa Booker-Drew, Ph.D. | Guidely
“…we are forced to reckon with our identities being so much more than what we do but recognizing the vastness that embodies each of us…”
Years ago, I lost a job, and it was devastating. Not only because of the financial implications but also because my identity had become so woven into the work. The role had become an integral part of who I was, and it was unnerving to realize that I had placed so much emphasis on seeing myself solely through a lens of what I did for a living. I’m so grateful for a community that offered support, guidance, and grace during a difficult season to remind me that I am so much more—I am a seeker, a learner, and a connector. I am more than my 9 to 5.
While working on my Ph.D., I saw this same pattern in the women that were a part of my research group. One of the ladies lost her job as a director and without this role, she was influx in determining not only who she was but also how others would view her. It’s in these experiences that we are forced to reckon with our identities being so much more than what we do but recognizing the vastness that embodies each of us—it is embracing the breadth and depth of our lived experiences that shape us. If the time is taken to truly discover who you are, you will discover the uniqueness that you bring to the world and that no one can be like you.
Part of understanding our identity is recognizing the importance of community. When we isolate ourselves, we are unable to see the totality of who we are….
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