Rereading Labels to Rediscover Who You Are
“Hey, Kathy! So who exactly are you?”
I am a 47-year-old woman, a mom, a wife, a stepmom, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a coach… Those identity labels are what I am.
They tell you nothing about who I am.
I’m kind, funny, compassionate, witty, and almost always rooting for the underdog. I love to spend time alone but also thrive in good conversation. I am always asking a ton of questions, yet I love the art of listening.
Now that describes a little more about who I am.
We often discover who we are by exploring what we do and how we do it.
My Journey to Rediscovery
About eight years ago, I was newly married to my husband, Dave. I was a mom to four boys and a dog, Lacey.
I was a daily substitute teacher in an elementary school.
I was trudging along.
“Doing” all the labels of my identity as I thought I was supposed to be doing them.
I was blindly following society’s directions for all these labels!
Being the wife, the mom, the stepmom, the teacher, and the woman, I thought I was supposed to be.
I felt like I wasn’t good enough at any of them.
It was exhausting to feel like I always had to be on!
I was tired. I felt lonely but surrounded by people at the same time, and I questioned what my identity truly was.
Was this my life?
I dreamt of a better way. I longed to feel whole again.
I started to reflect upon why, or rather, when, I started wearing identity labels just because they were given to me.
I thought, “I’m ’doing‘ my life. I’m living in the ’what‘ of my identity.”
In that realization, I discovered I needed to begin living within my who.
Start being me, being who I am.
Exploring the Identity Labels
I thought about when it happened - when I lost sight of my inner self - my Soul Self.
I realized it was when I both began labeling myself and started accepting identity labels given to me!
No questions asked. I did what I thought I should do.
And I began a life of wearing labels.
Growing up, I was given the labels of loud, hyperactive, mischievous, and chubby - to name a few. I was also told I was kind, funny, and strong.
Given our brains are hardwired as Negative Bias machines, without question, I accepted all the labels that I deemed negative and I didn’t think I was worthy of the ones that seemed to be positive. I started doing this soooo early in my life that I didn’t know how to do anything else.
Accept what someone said I was.
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
Hope started with a feeling that life could be different.
I had to gain the confidence to listen to that feeling and take action.
I know now that I was hearing the call of my Soul Self checking in.
And I answered.
I sought teachers of peace and self-discovery. I read and reread tons of spiritual and mindset books.
Took a few certification courses and programs.
I participated in multiple retreats.
I couldn’t get enough of this healing and growth!
I cultivated a library of tools and knowledge.
I now have mentors, people that influence my life and my work.
I can now see that I was creating my signature 3-Pillar Approach throughout my journey. A unique technique for women to experience a rediscovery of their Soul Self.
I love and enjoy that I am able to share what I learned and continue to practice every day.
“The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.”
All of this is to tell you that I’ve been where you are, and I can help you rediscover your WHO.
You will feel confident and find more joy in your life.
I can support you as you examine the identity labels in your life and forge new paths.
Rediscovering who you are and dropping the labels given to you is a journey that can change your life.
I’d be honored to support you as you embark on the journey to your Soul Self.
I invite you to book your free Sample Session today.
If you have thoughts on this topic, please let me know!
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Drop your comments below so we can start a conversation.