“Diversify your identity so that when change comes and a part of your identity is lost, you don’t lose your entire self.”

Francois D’haene, The Rich Roll podcast (episode 709)

“Cultivate a malleable sense of self by getting rid of labels and working to identify as a person who aspires to navigate change well.” 

Maya Shankar, Ten Percent Happier podcast (episode 466)

Reflections

For as long as I can remember, my identity has been wrapped up in labels: student, athlete, friend, wife, smart, perfectionist, anxious, reserved…the list goes on. In 2014, I acquired a new label — registered dietitian (RD). I worked hard to attain this label as I believed becoming a dietitian would help me overcome feelings of inadequacy surrounding my knowledge.

Years of unrealistic expectations set by myself and society led me to feel that what I knew was never enough. Past experiences at home, school, and in the workplace led me to feel a sense of shame for not having all the answers; for saying, “I don’t know” or, worse, providing incorrect answers. I came to view gaps in my knowledge as a major weakness. 

Little did I know, attaining the RD label would only cause my feelings of inadequacy to grow. This credential deemed me a nutrition expert, which added even more pressure to have all the answers and the potential for greater scrutiny. 

The suffering caused by this experience was the impetus for a years-long journey of deep introspection. So far, I’ve come to know this: Not having all the answers is not a limitation, it’s an opportunity for growth. I’ve learned there is value in what you know, but it doesn’t define you. There will always be more to learn, and that’s the beauty of it all. To learn is to grow, and growth is the essence of life.

I suppose if there’s one label we could all benefit from holding onto, it’s student. To identify as a student keeps us humble in our knowledge and receptive to new ideas and perspectives.

Here’s to letting go of labels, at least those that are impeding my growth.