Stop Making Work Your Identity

March 28 2024 TalktoAngel 0 comments 472 Views

Many who have high-pressure jobs feel unhappy about their jobs, despite working all their lives to achieve the position they are in today. It's one thing to despise your job, but what would happen if your identity was so strongly linked to it that it caused you to start disliking yourself? In psychology, the term "enmeshment" refers to a state in which people's boundaries become less distinct and separate identities become less significant. Enmeshment blocks the formation of a stable independent self-image. Although a strong connection to your work isn't necessarily harmful, it can expose you to having a devastating identity crisis if you're exhausted, laid off, or retired. In these scenarios, people often have depression, anxiety, and even despair. By taking time and diversifying your interests and relationships you will be able to build a healthy and solid identity that is true to you.

Reasons why you should not define yourself by your profession. Take care of the fact that the self-love you have for yourself is more valuable than the paycheck or job title.

1. Being in a well-established profile isn't the only way to be successful.

Being employed by a well-known firm can be a good thing on your resume however it's not the only thing you need to consider when determining whether or not you are successful. Success is rarely defined by a person's job or their wealth. The definition of success comes from the ability to perform things you are passionate about, to help other people, to conquer your most feared fears, or to experience blissful contentment. The definition of success for one person may be completely different from another's. It's perfectly fine. In the end, you must always strive to be yourself and not copy the things you believe are successful simply because of the experiences of someone else.

2. Your values and virtues are the only things that you are defined by.

Wouldn't you love being able to avoid judgment on your work? When we meet anyone new, we are eager to learn the name of the person and how much they earn. Why? There's a better way to define an individual? It's good to find out what they're passionate about.

Your persona is determined by what you cherish as well as what you envision as well as what you value and the people you love. Take a moment to think about this. Your closest family members and friends don't focus on what type of job you do or the amount you earn. They only care about your happiness. Take care of yourself like you'd wish your friends treated you because you must value your happiness over any paycheck, job, or boss.

3. Because most jobs are not permanent, they are subject to change at any time.

Although life can be a bit unpredictable, we all believe we are in control of our lives. You may see yourself as a hardworking architect, however, four years from now, you might like to become an agriculturalist, milking cows to earn an income. You never know what kinds of experiences you'll be through, and how they will affect your life. In essence, nothing lasts forever. The world can be full of unexpected events and many factors can impact your life more than your job.

4. Since what you do can be something that you perform, but it is not what you are capable of.

If you're an employee at a shop or work as an artist for an advertising agency, these are jobs that you perform, but they don't define you as an individual. There are numerous ways to be yourself, particularly if not completely enthralled by the work you do. Amid your professional life, it is possible to be known as a mom dog lover, or a gamer--anything you love or attach value to is part of who you are. In the end, you must be known for what you are passionate about and not by the kind of position you've been in.

5. Because people will not think of you based on the work you do, however, they will remember you by how they feel.

The way you treat others and how you express yourself are a part of your identity higher than what your job has ever been. When others talk or think about you the idea of your profession may come to mind, but your character and personality will be more resonant with them. There are numerous other reasons apart from being employed. Perhaps you're here to assist others on their journey or to be a changemaker within your community and inspire others to do the same. You're inflicting yourself a service when you define yourself based on your job. When we understand that we are more than just our job and the more content we might be.

How do you tell whether your identity has been interwoven with your work? Consider the issues listed below:

Is your mind thinking of work beyond the office? Are you constantly occupied with work-related worries? Are you finding it difficult to engage in conversations that aren't about your job?

What are you describing yourself as? What percentage of this description is tangled to your job title, or business? Do you have any other ways that you could describe yourself?

What is the place where you spend the majority of your time? Have you ever had someone complain to you that you're working too often?

Are there hobbies that you enjoy other than work that do not directly rely on your abilities and skills related to work? Do you have the ability to regularly engage other brain regions?

What would you think of yourself when you were unable to work in your field? What would be the impact for you?

If these issues make you think about how much your work environment has affected your personality there are things you can do to begin changes. You can do this on your own or with the assistance of an Online Counsellor who can help you understand the issues faced by those who work in high-pressure jobs. Seek help from the Best Psychologist in India, if you are becoming stressed and exhausted by the work you do. Through Online Counselling sessions, you might be able to explore your true self, who you are, and what you are passionate about.

Contribution by: Dr (Prof) R K Suri, Best Clinical Psychologist & Life Coach & Mr. Utkarsh Yadav, Counselling Psychologist