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Basics of Identity
Few people choose their identities
Most of us just incorporate the values of our parents or the dominant cultures (for example, the pursuit of materialism, power, and appearance). This is risky, because these values may not feel authentic and can lead us to live an unfulfilling life.
Not having a consistent sense of identity will lead to uncertainty about what one wants to do in life. In contrast, people that live fulfilled lives stay true to their values and pursue meaningful goals.
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Key Ideas
Identity and our values
Identity is mainly concerned with the question: “Who am I?” What does it mean to be who I am?
Identity relates to the values that guide the choices we make (relationships, career, etc.). These choices reflect who we are and what we value.
Few people choose their identities
Most of us just incorporate the values of our parents or the dominant cultures (for example, the pursuit of materialism, power, and appearance). This is risky, because these values may not feel authentic and can lead us to live an unfulfilling life.
Not having a consistent sense of identity will lead to uncertainty about what one wants to do in life. In contrast, people that live fulfilled lives stay true to their values and pursue meaningful goals.
We can hold multiple identities
You can be a teacher, a mother or friend. Each has its own sense and assumptions that are internalized as identity.
A major mission of self-development during early adolescence is the separation of different selves as a function of social context with an awareness of the potential contradictions.
Finding oneself
Psychologists consider that identity development is a question of “finding yourself” by matching your skills with available social roles.
Defining yourself within a social world becomes one of the most difficult choices you will have to make.
Goals required for identity formation
- Finding and developing your personal potentials (those things that the person can do better than other things).
- Choosing your purpose in life.
- Finding opportunities to implement that potential and purpose.
Identity is never “final”
It continues to develop through our lives. Knowing our identity increases self-esteem and reduces depression and anxiety.
When we are doing what we think we should be doing, we are happy.
SIMILAR ARTICLES & IDEAS:
Defining Eudaimonia
Eudaimonia is a term which comes from Aristotle’s work called ‘Nicomachean Ethics’ and means individual well-being and happiness. It combines the prefix eu (meaning good) ...
Plato And Eudaimonism
- Plato believed that because we feel unhappy internally when we do something wrong, eudaimonia is the highest feeling of moral thought and behaviour where there is real happiness from within. Happiness, according to him, was about living in the pursuit of various virtues, central to flourishing.
- Plato never mentioned the term eudaimonia, but his writings on the concept of courage, justice, wisdom and moderation point towards the same domain of wellbeing.
Aristotle And Eudaimonism
Aristotle in his many works has provided numerous interpretations of eudaimonia, explaining it as something reflecting the pursuit of virtue, excellence and the best within us. According to him, eudaimonia is a rational activity aimed at the pursuit of what is worthwhile in life.
Having an intention to be virtuous was an important factor for eudaimonia.
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“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear mu..."
Abraham Maslow
Deficiency vs. Growth
Abraham Maslow argued that all needs could be grouped into two main classes: deficiency and growth.
- Deficiency needs are motivated by a lack of satisfaction, such as the lack of food, safety, affection, belonging, or self-esteem. The higher the need, the more we change reality to satisfy the most deficient needs.
- Growth needs have a different sort of wisdom. Instead of being driven by fears and anxieties, it is more accepting and loving. It is asking, "What choices will lead me to greater integration and wholeness?" rather than "How can I defend myself?"
Forming a faulty deficiency mindset
At a young age, when an expression of a need is disregarded as not as important as the needs of the caretaker, a child may get the message that they are not loved while they have this need.
This causes people to behave in a way they think they should feel, not how they really feel. As adults, they are always influenced by others' opinions and driven by their insecurities and fears of facing themselves.
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Key Ideas
The Happiness Pie Chart
The Happiness Pie Chart, first published in 2005, states that 50% of our happiness is defined by our genes, 40% by our activities and 10% by our life circumstances.
Recent studie...
Give Yourself A Happiness Boost
Ways to give yourself a happiness boost:
- Choosing activities that fit our personality and interests, feel natural, are enjoyable and aligned with our values.
- Choosing meaningful and virtuous activities, instead of just going after pleasurable ones.
- Practicing forgiveness and gratitude.
- Trying to pursue a purpose.
- Committing to new habits by making an effort.
- Adding variety and diversity to our routine.