Self vs Identity

Self and identity are often construed as synonymous, however this framing is reductionist and ignores the complexity of Self. Self can be thought of as the house, identity as the decor. Identity adorns the home with the furnishings of cultural influence and personal panache. It is an act of creation to engage with one’s identity.

Identity offers us the opportunity to collect our various aspects of Self and express them through the canvas of our own existence. As Shakespeare proclaimed, “All the world is a stage, and all the [people] merely players,” which can be followed by, “if all the world is a stage, identity is nothing but a costume” (unknown). Identity is how we express ourselves within our specific space-time context, honed by socio-historical factors interacting with our psycho-spiritual selves. We possess the power to cultivate the multiple dimensions of Self and from those create an expression of self that can be shared within our social context. We decide which parts of Self to prioritize in our expression of identity, from traits like gender and sexuality, to our actions and mental frameworks.

Our social context may not value our identities, it may even try to erase our identities, or overemphasize parts of ourselves to the exclusion of the whole; yet the power to exist and express ourselves lies in the hands of the creator—each of us—and thus the masterpiece of identity is beholden to none but our own creativity.

Practice: What parts of Self contribute most to your identity? Did you choose to prioritize these aspects of your self expression or were they chosen for you? Do you choose them now?

Challenge: How does your identity presentation affect others around you? What privileges does society give you based on your identity? What barriers do you face based on your identity?