Feeling Like a Shell of Yourself? Let's Talk About That

You know that feeling when you look in the mirror and barely recognize yourself?

You've probably spent years being praised for what you do, not who you are. For being productive. Responsible. Reliable.

So, somewhere along the way, it made complete sense to invest everything into being that version of yourself.

But now, that version of you has taken over.

You're experiencing identity erosion.

You probably don't spontaneously wake up one day and realize you're nothing without your job. But the signs creep in...

• You forget what you even like to do outside of work.
• You avoid hobbies because they don't feel productive.
• You tie your value to how useful, helpful, or competent you are at work.
• You can't rest without feeling guilty.
• You struggle to introduce yourself without mentioning your job title.

That's what we're talking about in this week's episode of The Balanced Badass Podcast®.

Losing Yourself in the Job Aug 7 · The Balanced Badass Podc... 16:30   ​

But your career should never get to steal your personhood. So let's rebuild some of that today.

Reclaim Your "I Am" Statements

When your identity is fused with your job, your "I am" sentences usually start and end there.

• I'm a leader.
• I'm a caregiver.
• I'm a marketer.

So try writing 10 "I am" statements that have nothing to do with work. These are some of mine:

• I am someone who loves the beach.
• I am a huge fan of the Golden Girls.
• I am a learner at heart.

Revisit Abandoned Hobbies or Interests

What's one thing you used to do just because you enjoyed it? Why'd you stop doing it?

Find ways to reconnect with those things.

• Re-watch a show you used to love but stopped because you "didn't have time."
• Spend 15 minutes on a hobby you abandoned. (Mine is dancing... I miss it a lot.)
• Call or send a voice note to a friend who knows you outside of work.

The goal is to wake up the dormant parts of you.

Audit Where You're Still Disappearing

Where are you hiding behind competence? Where are you saying yes to be seen as valuable? Where have you stopped expressing preferences because you're too used to performing?

Awareness is your first act of rebellion here. If you can name it, you can start to shift it.

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Look, I'm not pushing you to become this perfect version of your "whole self."

I just want you to be recognizable to yourself again.

Take care,

Tara

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