Does society define your identity? To what extent does your current environment affect your self-identification?
Being part of today’s society is more of a challenge rather than a privilege. One of the reasons is that the mix of cultures, languages and technological advances prevails upon individuality. But if individuality is really doomed, why do we get lost among a flock whose shepherd we would not entrust our lives to even for a second?
The whims of the 21st century individual are endless. The more we are offered, the harder it is to choose. This is one of the reasons why I believe that self-identity is an essential part of our human nature.
There is something more. In order to find meaning in our lives and for our own well-being, it is vital that we affirm our identity so that what we do and who we are brings meaning to us.
3 reasons why our self-identity plays an important role in our social realization.
- SELF-IDENTITY DEFINITION
At the core of our self-identity is our self-awareness. In other words, self-awareness helps us determine our self-identity. And this, in turn, helps us to clarify the purpose (or goals) of our lives. This whole set determines what kind of people we are and who we want to become in the future.
Moreover, the more concrete our self-identity is, the clearer and more precise our goals will be. The way we perceive our own selves is crucial as we determine the course of our actions to achieve the results we want, as well as to re-evaluate our aspirations (if necessary).
- THE ENVIRONMENT DETERMINES THE SELF
What is the “environment of the self “?
This is the most intimate place: the place where we are alone. What environment have we chosen? Is it healthy? Does it help our self-esteem, perceptions and identity?
Why is the environment vital for our self-identity?
3 reasons :
- It allows us to better understand our relationship with the world around us and with ourselves.
- Whether we are aware of ourselves or not, it (the environment) helps us to acknowledge our (physical) existence here and now.
- It predisposes us to a complete connection with the self and this, on the other hand, leads to a better realization of our potential, which, on the other hand, helps our personal development.
Task :
Dig deeper into the environment and the society around you and try to find the meaning that your self needs in order to develop itself. The moment you find this inspiration in your environment is the moment you begin to realize yourself, your inner weaknesses, and how you can overcome them.
Your social identity and environment are deeply connected, but this connection can be understood when you accept yourself as you are – warts and all.
- IDENTITY CRISIS
How much time do you spend on your own? How much time do you spend with yourself? Are you willing to spend more time with others than with yourself?
Where do you invest your interests – in yourself or in others? Do you have social responsibility and what exactly is your social role?
The self-obsessed self and ego-centrism are the bloodsuckers of 21st century. This is one of the reasons why these two states of the self go hand in hand with individuality.
Individualism can coexist with the compassion and kindness of the individual. Individualism is not equivalent to selfishness! Individualists are people with a clear identity.
The more self-aware and clearly self-identified people exist, the better for our society, which needs people who deliver the changes and progressive results needed for our development as a society with a (still) herd mentality.
There is a significant difference between individuals with individuality and self-absorbed people who live on the backs of the generosity and ignorance of others. That is why I am far from the idea of even thinking about those who consciously neglect their needs and responsibilities to others in the environment they have decided to inhibit. Sooner or later, their degree of self-obsession leads to their unsuccessful personal development and this, in turn, reflects on their ego, which subsequently leads to an emotional and mental atrophy.