Our personal identity is like a pan of pizza
I was inspired to write this post after reciting it enough times to friends and clients. That was the sign that it’s time to write a post about it.
I like to speak in analogy when I tried to make a point about something.
And that’s exactly the case with how I came up with the concept of our personal identity is like a pan of pizza.
Pizza is made up of multiple slices, with each slice represents a different aspect of the pizza. In a super supreme pizza for example, one slice may have cheese pepperoni, another has more olives and peppers, and etc.
Similarly, our personal identity is made up of multiple components, each representing a different aspect of our personal identity. One aspect of our identity is our gender identity, then sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, occupation, cultural background, languages spoken, political affiliation, hobbies, values, mental health, and the list go on.
Just as each slice of pizza has its unique flavour, depending on the toppings it has. Each aspect of our personal identity contributes to our overall identity, our sense of who we are.
The caveat is that one slice of pizza does not define the entire pizza, and that is the same with our personal identity, that one aspect of our identity doesn’t define our entire identity.
Just because someone identifies as certain gender or come from certain family background, those slivers do not define who they are as a person as a whole.
When I work with clients, I typically share that our personal identity is made of multiple aspects that work together to create a whole package of an individual. The same thing with a pan of pizza is made up of multiple slices.
In practise, we can eat a few slices of the same pizza, or eat a slice each from 3 different kinds of pizza. Different aspects of our personal identity could be explored individually, or in conjunction with other aspects of our identity. For example, someone may explore how their religious and spiritual beliefs impacted their sexual preference or the way they present themselves.
At the end of the day, it is fair to say that our personal identity is very dynamic and ever-changing.
It is fluid, and may shift over time depending on our encounter and experience.
Remember that who we hang out with, where we live, and what we do may very much impact how we see and express ourselves.
Curious how come? Find out why you need to choose your circle wisely
The journey to personal growth and discovery starts when we started questioning why we do the things we do.
Our personal identity is like a pan of pizza in some ways, and remember that one slice doesn’t define the flavour of the entire pizza.
Hello, I’m Nita Agustin
Registered Clinical Counsellor based in Burnaby, BC
My jam is working with queer youth and young adults, especially those who do not want to be defined by what society told them about themselves. I help clients figure out who they are, who they want to be, and how to get there. We do this by processing how their past impacted the way they live out their life today. From our work together, I noticed clients develop better self-awareness and experience improved quality of life as they can show up differently in their relationships.
I offer virtual and in-person sessions near Brentwood, North Burnaby. I am licensed to practise in BC, as well as all across Canada, so I support clients all over BC, all the way from Vancouver to Kitimat. Other than working with clients who reside in BC, I also can support clients who reside in Yukon Territories, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Newfoundland.
Check out my About me page to learn more about what I do and have to offer for you. Also, explore my Services page to see how I can guide you in making shifts in your life today. If you feel ready to discover ways to live life on your own terms, I welcome you to book an initial intake session. I am so stoked to meet you and start figuring out how you can show up as your best self!
Throughout this pandemic, I witnessed telehealth virtual sessions become more of a norm, and it has been super transformative seeing clients can access mental health services from the comfort of their home.
There are lots of different stereotypes out there, and society tells us who we are supposed to be and how we are supposed to present ourselves to the world. It can feel very overwhelming and confusing to compare our personal experience against those ideas. The thing is, you no longer have to be defined by what society tells you. It is your life to live, and you get to decide who get a say about your life.
