Identity: Finding Who We Really Are
Before I discovered transformational therapy, I thought I had a clear sense of who I was. The truth is, I was only showing the world a version of me that wore different masks. Those masks fit the roles I played: partner, father, mentor, teacher. They didn’t always reflect the real me underneath.
I wasn’t a bad person during active addiction. I was a good person making poor choices. That lifestyle created a gap between who I truly was and the identity I was living out loud. My authentic self was still there, waiting, but buried under the pace of life and the chase for instant gratification.
In recovery, I began to slow down and rediscover that self. Time became more valuable, and my priorities shifted. Through mirror work, building self-esteem, and becoming more aware, I realized that taking care of myself first made me better in every role I play for others.
That is when the real questions surfaced. Who am I without the masks? Who am I when no one is watching? Who am I when I strip away the labels?
It is not in recovery that our identity is lost. It is in addiction, when we disconnect from who we are at our core. Recovery is where we begin reconnecting, rediscovering, and declaring that truth.
Part of that discovery is language. The words we use to describe ourselves carry power. Saying “I am an addict” keeps me tied to a label. Saying “I am a man in recovery” affirms growth, resilience, and strength. Positive words shape positive identity.
At the heart of this journey is one truth: INTEGRITY. Living in alignment with my values, being the same person in public and private, and speaking to myself with honesty and compassion has unlocked my true identity.
So today, I no longer ask, “Who am I?” Instead, I confidently declare:
I am Perfect, I am Whole, and I am Complete.
So, my friends ask yourselves....
What masks do you wear in different areas of your life?
Are your daily behaviors aligned with the person you truly want to be?
How does the language you use about yourself shape your identity?
Where do you see your authentic self shining through?
I would love to hear your thoughts and transform together.
Stay Real, Stay Raw, Stay in Recovery
Mike
