WHO THE HELL AM I??
Who are we as individuals? What elements in life make us, well, us? Self-identity is a commonly misunderstood (but rather simple) concept in our materially-obsessed society.
I was inspired to touch on self-identity because an alarming number of people feel lost or incomplete in their life. And when your mental health is subpar (shoutout), it's even more challenging to know precisely who you are.
Depression has a way of numbing the mind with regret until we're so drained we believe life has no purpose. Anxiety does the same; it just takes a different route. An anxious mind never stops moving, thinking, planning, and conceptualizing until your brain literally has no room for your true self.
So that’s what this TearDrop is touching on; reclaiming the precious gem that is your self-identity and how to hold tight to it.
To discuss self-identity and the importance of finding something that ties you to the present moment, I was fortunate to connect with a truly inspiring, centered, motivated individual, Isabel Kurzban.
For Isabel, a professional yogi and ~bodybuilder~, practicing yoga and meditation are two of the most efficient ways to get the mind centered. Just take a quick scroll through her Instagram, and you'll quickly see she's more than qualified to discuss yoga, self-identity, and the importance of taking care of yourself.
Where Tf Is Our Identity??
Before talking with Isabel, I had no intention of writing about self-identity. My plan was to hit on how dope yoga is, and that’s it. But Isabel dropped so much wisdom on me about growing through yoga, the importance of a mind-body connection, and the process of discovering our true identity that I just couldn't waste.
As human beings living post-Industrialization, we’ve been programmed to accumulate as many things or labels as possible; our job, the newest iPhone, clothes (*cough* go shop DPRSD), followers...you get it. We’re taught that our value and identity are made up of all these little things that, when pieced together, become who we are. All that’s bullshit (and that’s okay).
What’s wild is that the key to finding your identity and inner peace actually occurs when you start detaching yourself from material things and society’s labels. You have to shift your programmed mind, telling you, “I am a [insert typical 9-5 job title here],” and start realizing you’re wayyy more than that. As humans, our true happiness, inner peace, and self-identity are found…wait for it…in the present moment.
I am fully aware a certain percentage of you just rolled your eyes and said, “f*ck you, Jerksy, that makes zero sense” (I would’ve done the same thing a few years ago). But for real, living, being, appreciating, and staying in the present moment is everything.
The primary reason this concept feels so ~out there~ or unnatural can be credited to our cultural norms. We’ve been trained to constantly think ahead, whether it be a day, a week, or a whole year (my personal nightmare). But the value you can find in the present moment is well worth the effort it takes to get there.
So, how do we, as human beings programmed to think ahead, train our brains to slow down for a moment and appreciate the present? That’s where the beautiful practices known as yoga and meditation come through.
“Developing a healthy mind-body relationship is an incredible journey that forces you to get to know some of the most intimate parts of yourself.”- Isabel Kurzban.
As glorious as yoga is at strengthening your body, it’s just as effective at strengthening your mind. Every yoga routine (at least the good ones) highlights external and internal elements, kinda tricking you into a state of meditation as you connect your movements with your breath. It chills you tf out, builds and stretches your muscles, and helps manage stress (this is science, not jus me spitting out garbage).
And if you’re unsure where to start or if practicing yoga is worth it, that’s another reason I wanted to connect with Isabel. She knows exactly what it’s like to start practicing yoga with little to no experience.
However, Isabel also understands the value of regularly practicing, which can lead to (some pretty impressive) physical and mental results. For real, check out her Instagram; for advice, motivation, or just some peaceful, uplifting vibes.
I told y’all from the jump that I’m not gonna feed you any bullshit/sugar-coat anything. And that goes for finding inner peace and living your healthiest life; it’s going to take some motherf*cking work.
Some days it’ll feel like there’s no progress, that all of it is pointless, that you can’t get better. Keep pushing. Because the world gets a little better when we learn how to fully, unapologetically accept, and be ourselves.
Some Quick Thank Yous
Isabel, I can’t thank you enough. The manner in which you so flawlessly informed me about self-identity and who we are at the very core of our soul still shakes me. I also thank you for trusting me (essentially a total stranger) to take your passion, put my twist on it, and implement it into this brand.
By reading and sharing this article, you're actively supporting the DPRSD brand, and I can't thank you enough for that. If you feel called to do so, spread some DPRSD vibes by hitting the share button. And if you're holding a life experience in your head you believe can positively influence others, please reach out to me. I'm always searching for more people to expand and solidify the DPRSD community.
xo,
Jerksy
Make a Donation
The TearDrop is an integral part of the DPRSD brand; these individuals help create our genuine community of love and empathy. For each story, Jerksy has an open conversation with the featured guest, elects a creative direction, then writes and edits everything before your beautiful eyes see it. The process is fueled by an indescribable passion to construct something powerful enough to accurately describe the complexity of our mental health. So if you want to support DPRSD and ensure there are plenty of TearDrops to come, we graciously accept monetary contributions (and yes, $1 is donated).
