When someone asks ‘So, what do you do?’ how often do you answer with your job title and nothing else? It’s easy to get lost in the identity of your job description or your career path. Trust me, I’ve been there. Even though I’m just a twenty-five year old teenager, I went through a rough patch after I graduated college. I basically had an identify crisis. All I was focused on was my job. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I lost who I truly was in doing so.
So…Why does this even matter?
It’s so important to know who you are outside of your job because it:
- Builds resilience during career changes
- Helps prevent burnout
- Makes life richer
You can love your work and still be more than it.
Let’s get into it. How the heck do you rediscover yourself once lost? I got you!
Step-by-Step: Rediscovering You
Step 1: List Your “Core Traits”
- What words describe you? (e.g. curious, creative, adventurous, empathetic)
- Tip: Ask close friends or family how they’d describe you (don’t be shy, I did this also)
Step 2: Reflect on What Made You Happy as a Child
- What did you love doing as a kid before careers and grades existed?
- (e.g. I loved to paint)
- Connect those interests to who you are today.
- (e.g. I love doing hobbies that make me use my creative side, and I chose a career that let’s me do that as well)
Step 3: Audit Your Current Life
- Look at your weekly routine: what lights you up vs. drains you?
- Identify where your true self already shows up (even in small ways).
Step 4: Write Your “Only I…” Statement
- Inspired by Mark Schaefer’s exercise from his book Known.
- A sentence that captures what only you uniquely bring to the world.
- My example: “Only I can balance my passion for success and creativity to turn the chaos of a busy life into a space where others feel seen.”
Once you’ve thought your way through these steps above, it’s time to put it in practice. You should start weaving these traits and passions into your daily life. For example, if you’re artistic, add creativity to work projects, start doodling on your notepad, or even writing during your free time. If you’re nurturing and/or love to teach, mentor someone or volunteer.
This isn’t about dropping everything, starting over and quitting your job, but about bringing more of yourself into everything you do.
Now if you hate your job, that’s another story we can get into on another day lol.
Takeaway
Remind yourself….your job is something you do, not who you are.
Take a second to comment your ‘core traits’ or your ‘Only I’ statement below!
Next, I’ll be sharing how to find a career that aligns with your values.
Until then, Callie
Nine to Thrive. 
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