Wednesday Wellness Check-in: Embracing Your Full Identity
As part of my health journey, I’ve learned that fully embracing who you are plays a big role in overall well-being. For a long time, I didn’t know that what I had been dealing with was neurodivergent burnout. As I began to explore that, I realized something else – I might also be autistic. The signs are clear, and the more I investigate it, the more it makes sense. But now, I face a question that many people might find familiar: Do I need a formal diagnosis to truly embrace this part of my identity?
Getting a diagnosis can help in some ways. It provides medical or legal documentation, and it might give you access to specific resources and support. But for many people, the road to getting that diagnosis is long and filled with obstacles – waiting for months or even years just to get an appointment. For me, I’m asking myself if it’s worth it, especially since I already feel confident about what I’m discovering. My identity is clearer now, with or without a piece of paper confirming it.
This got me thinking: how much of our identity do we embrace, and how much do we shy away from? And what parts do we deny entirely? This doesn’t just apply to neurodivergence or autism. Many of us hold back parts of ourselves, maybe because we’re scared of how others will see us or because we’ve been taught to hide certain parts of who we are. But when we deny parts of our identity, we miss out on being fully present in our lives.
Reflecting on this idea can be eye-opening. Are there aspects of yourself that you’ve hidden away or tried to downplay? It could be anything – your personality, passions, quirks, or beliefs. The truth is, embracing your full identity can be a powerful step in taking control of your health and happiness. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth the effort to be your authentic self.
So, as we move forward together in this series, I encourage you to take some time to reflect. What parts of your identity do you shy away from? What would it feel like to fully embrace all the pieces of who you are? You don’t have to figure it all out at once but starting that process of acceptance can make a world of difference in how you move through life.
Stay tuned for a new series on identity formation, Johmarx Unmasked, debuting this winter. https://johmarx.com/desire-discovery/newsletter/johmarx-unmasked-coming-soon
