Investigating Identity to Create Lasting Change

Welcome to 2021! As we kick off the new year, learning from last year, looking ahead to changes we seek to make, we often set resolutions or intentions for ourselves. But along with setting our goals, we have to honor the change process and start with our identity. What do we know about ourselves and our beliefs? If we use inquiry to lead us into self-reflection, we can start meeting our resolutions with greater clarity and self-awareness. Consider: How does your core identity (e.g. race, religion, language, ability, gender, age, class, sexual orientation) shape how you approach changing yourself and your habits? How does your family and cultural background shape how you approach changing yourself and your habits? How does your identity that you have grown through life experience shape how you approach changing yourself and your habits? Doing the work of unpacking our identity is an essential part of the change process. If we understand ourselves better, we are more likely to unearth faulty assumptions and limiting beliefs that can keep us creating lasting, deeper change