Enjoyed reading this Sikieng. As someone who worked on corporate identity most of my life - helping others establish labels - I resonate with this deeply.
Labels are also layers and the more we add to our original selves, the more we become weighed down.
Peeling off those rigid, outdated, unnecessary layers and identifying with who we truly are is a great exercise for all of us to practise in an otherwise dense and chaotic world.
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective, Peter! I love the way you describe labels as layers—we don’t always realize how much weight they carry until we start peeling them back. It’s definitely a practice I’m working on too. I really appreciate your thoughtful comment!
Thank you for sharing! I realized I also attached my quality to my title or current job, which is not true. I enjoyed reading your work and thoughts. Please share more!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Riya! I really appreciate you sharing that—it’s something so many of us go through without even realizing it. Letting go of those labels is a journey, and I’m grateful that my words resonated with you. I’ll definitely share more, and I’d love to hear your thoughts along the way! 😊
I think about the concept of labeling a lot. We do it so much when all we really are is just that. We are. We are human and within that we are so many things-- all defining us and contributing to our uniqueness. Thank you for sharing your perspective! I enjoyed the read very much.
I love the way you put that—so simple yet profound. We are so much more than any single label, and embracing that complexity is so freeing. Thank you for your thoughtful comment and for taking the time to read it, Courtney. I really appreciate it!
That means so much to hear! ❤️ Unlearning labels is a journey, and I’m working on it too, Amali. It’s not always easy, but it’s so freeing. Wishing you clarity and growth along the way!
That’s such an important distinction. No one should be reduced to a label that misrepresents them. Thank you for sharing. It's a powerful reminder to challenge limiting labels.
Sikieng, I think so many people put our identities into what we do instead of who we really are and I struggled at 2021 when I left a lucrative nursing career that I had been doing for quite 30 years. Everything changed, and it was hard to figure out what my identity was, and I really had to sit with it. labels and titles I don’t know who even came up with these things but we are not what we do. Thank you for the reminder 🤗💕🙏
Thank you for sharing that. I can only imagine how challenging that transition must have been after 30 years in such an important field. It’s incredible how much we attach our identity to what we do, and stepping away can feel like losing a part of ourselves. But as you said, we are not just our titles—we are so much more. I really appreciate your words and your perspective, Kathleen. Wishing you clarity and peace on your journey!
It was a difficult adjustment for sure and it sure didn't happen overnight and even though it's been three years now there's still some adjusting from time to time. The wonderful thing is that I can continue to do it from home online and I'm helping so many people so that's been a godsend 💯
That’s really inspiring, Kathleen! Adjusting to big changes is never easy, and it’s wonderful to hear that you’ve found a way to make it work while helping others. It’s a great reminder that growth is an ongoing process, and even when things aren’t always smooth, there’s meaning in the journey. Wishing you continued success and fulfillment! and please have a great day!
Yes! Breaking free from those invisible cages is such a powerful shift. 🕊️ And the best part? We were always enough—we just needed to remember it. Thank you for your kind words and for being part of this journey!
I found this enlightening, Sikieng! I love how you became YOU and not just (someone with) a title. 🤎 We often do this, like you said, and I myself, am guilty of this. Now, I say I am human. A living, breathing child of God. ✨️ Not just a writer, though it is my passion. I am someone more than what I do, it is what I believe in too. Thanks for sharing this valuable piece. I fully resonated with it.
Thank you so much, Anna! I love how you put it—embracing the fullness of who you are beyond any title. It’s such a powerful shift to recognize that we are not just what we do but something so much greater. I'm so glad this resonated with you, and I truly appreciate you sharing your perspective. Wishing you many blessings on your journey of simply being YOU! 🙏
Haha, I love that! 😆 Some labels are easier to let go of than others, right? It’s great when we can look back and laugh at them instead of feeling trapped by them. Thanks for reading and sharing your perspective!
As an Ex-Corporate Recruiter, I learned the depth of how true (and how sad) our practice in labeling works. The assumptions, the impacts, the doubts; it’s an incredibly entangled concept. Thank you for writing this and sharing clarity with the world! As we begin to peel off the sticker that was stuck on us a while ago (or long ago) it helps us step into our light. You’re the best - thanks for all you do!! 🙏✨
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective as a former recruiter, Lavender! It’s eye-opening to realize how deeply these labels shape our experiences. Peeling off those old stickers isn’t always easy, but it’s so freeing to step into who we truly are beyond the labels. I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement—it means a lot! Wishing you all the best as you continue to step into your own light.
That’s such a great approach! Labeling emotions rather than identities can be a powerful way to cultivate self-awareness without feeling trapped by definitions. I love that you’re helping your children develop that mindset early on. Thanks for sharing your perspective, Kyle.
Enjoyed reading this Sikieng. As someone who worked on corporate identity most of my life - helping others establish labels - I resonate with this deeply.
Labels are also layers and the more we add to our original selves, the more we become weighed down.
Peeling off those rigid, outdated, unnecessary layers and identifying with who we truly are is a great exercise for all of us to practise in an otherwise dense and chaotic world.
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective, Peter! I love the way you describe labels as layers—we don’t always realize how much weight they carry until we start peeling them back. It’s definitely a practice I’m working on too. I really appreciate your thoughtful comment!
Thank you for sharing! I realized I also attached my quality to my title or current job, which is not true. I enjoyed reading your work and thoughts. Please share more!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Riya! I really appreciate you sharing that—it’s something so many of us go through without even realizing it. Letting go of those labels is a journey, and I’m grateful that my words resonated with you. I’ll definitely share more, and I’d love to hear your thoughts along the way! 😊
I think about the concept of labeling a lot. We do it so much when all we really are is just that. We are. We are human and within that we are so many things-- all defining us and contributing to our uniqueness. Thank you for sharing your perspective! I enjoyed the read very much.
I love the way you put that—so simple yet profound. We are so much more than any single label, and embracing that complexity is so freeing. Thank you for your thoughtful comment and for taking the time to read it, Courtney. I really appreciate it!
I appreciate your thought provoking article! 🫶
Thank you once again, Courtney. Please have a great day! :)
You too!!
I resonated with this so much. ❤️ I am trying to unlearn the labels that I've been identifying with growing up.
That means so much to hear! ❤️ Unlearning labels is a journey, and I’m working on it too, Amali. It’s not always easy, but it’s so freeing. Wishing you clarity and growth along the way!
I am sick, not lazy!
That’s such an important distinction. No one should be reduced to a label that misrepresents them. Thank you for sharing. It's a powerful reminder to challenge limiting labels.
Sikieng, I think so many people put our identities into what we do instead of who we really are and I struggled at 2021 when I left a lucrative nursing career that I had been doing for quite 30 years. Everything changed, and it was hard to figure out what my identity was, and I really had to sit with it. labels and titles I don’t know who even came up with these things but we are not what we do. Thank you for the reminder 🤗💕🙏
Thank you for sharing that. I can only imagine how challenging that transition must have been after 30 years in such an important field. It’s incredible how much we attach our identity to what we do, and stepping away can feel like losing a part of ourselves. But as you said, we are not just our titles—we are so much more. I really appreciate your words and your perspective, Kathleen. Wishing you clarity and peace on your journey!
It was a difficult adjustment for sure and it sure didn't happen overnight and even though it's been three years now there's still some adjusting from time to time. The wonderful thing is that I can continue to do it from home online and I'm helping so many people so that's been a godsend 💯
That’s really inspiring, Kathleen! Adjusting to big changes is never easy, and it’s wonderful to hear that you’ve found a way to make it work while helping others. It’s a great reminder that growth is an ongoing process, and even when things aren’t always smooth, there’s meaning in the journey. Wishing you continued success and fulfillment! and please have a great day!
Time to break out of those invisible cages and just be ourselves. Thank you Sikieng for reminding us that we are enough as we are.
Yes! Breaking free from those invisible cages is such a powerful shift. 🕊️ And the best part? We were always enough—we just needed to remember it. Thank you for your kind words and for being part of this journey!
this resonates so much. everything always changes and so are we if we allow ourself to do so.
Absolutely! Change is inevitable, but when we allow ourselves to embrace it, it becomes growth. 🌿 Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Michaela.
I found this enlightening, Sikieng! I love how you became YOU and not just (someone with) a title. 🤎 We often do this, like you said, and I myself, am guilty of this. Now, I say I am human. A living, breathing child of God. ✨️ Not just a writer, though it is my passion. I am someone more than what I do, it is what I believe in too. Thanks for sharing this valuable piece. I fully resonated with it.
Blessings to you 🙏
Thank you so much, Anna! I love how you put it—embracing the fullness of who you are beyond any title. It’s such a powerful shift to recognize that we are not just what we do but something so much greater. I'm so glad this resonated with you, and I truly appreciate you sharing your perspective. Wishing you many blessings on your journey of simply being YOU! 🙏
Your article remind me when I was label as 'little boy' :D I don't worry to lose it lol
Haha, I love that! 😆 Some labels are easier to let go of than others, right? It’s great when we can look back and laugh at them instead of feeling trapped by them. Thanks for reading and sharing your perspective!
As an Ex-Corporate Recruiter, I learned the depth of how true (and how sad) our practice in labeling works. The assumptions, the impacts, the doubts; it’s an incredibly entangled concept. Thank you for writing this and sharing clarity with the world! As we begin to peel off the sticker that was stuck on us a while ago (or long ago) it helps us step into our light. You’re the best - thanks for all you do!! 🙏✨
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective as a former recruiter, Lavender! It’s eye-opening to realize how deeply these labels shape our experiences. Peeling off those old stickers isn’t always easy, but it’s so freeing to step into who we truly are beyond the labels. I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement—it means a lot! Wishing you all the best as you continue to step into your own light.
I try to only label my feelings or help my children label theirs. Otherwise, I do my best to avoid any form of labeling.
That’s such a great approach! Labeling emotions rather than identities can be a powerful way to cultivate self-awareness without feeling trapped by definitions. I love that you’re helping your children develop that mindset early on. Thanks for sharing your perspective, Kyle.
Thank you! Means a lot. Letting go of labels is still a work in progress, but I’m learning every day. :) Please have a great day!