It is a known fact that as 21st century individuals we are consistently in a race to achieve our materialistic goals that are attributed by the societal expectations that we must conform to. Our identity is rarely a thought we consider in our busy day to day lives.
Identity relates to the basic values that dictate the choices that we make so our choices tend to reflect who we are and also what we value. Psychologists assume that the formation of our identities is partially due to ones talents and the potential that these talents have with available social roles thus showing that one’s identity is a complex matter. However they do believe that in the struggle of defining our identity we can delve into a darker forms of self, such as, drug abuse or depression.
So you may now be asking yourself, ‘what makes up my identity and what identifies me as individual human being?’ Is it bound by your culture? Ethnicity? Your skills and abilities? Your physical attributes, your gender? Or is it impacted simply by your occupation and hobbies and the values and beliefs you abide by and live your life by?
To some individuals their identity might be a culmination of these different ideas however my ethnic background is what I can identify the most with. As a British citizen born in Pakistan I find myself constantly identifying as Pakistani before anything else. This is a fact that many deem as being unexplainable and I never seem to understand why. Yes, it is true that the majority of my memorable life has been in London yet my identity doesn’t lie in what lots deem as being my home. Perhaps this is due to the history of struggle that my ancestors went through in order to gain an independent Muslim home country so I feel a duty to protect that part of my identity. However I feel as though my identity is far less complex than that and sometimes I just want to be different to my British Born peers.
When people misrepresent themselves as a character other than that of their true self in order to impress an audience, which many of us are guilty of in today’s society, we lose our sense of self and for a more prosperous and vibrant life we must confront our true self and learn to embrace our identities.
