How and Why to Remove Identifiers and Judgement
Whenever a post has a weird word that some people may not know much about, I'll start by explaining what it means to me. It's not always the best, Webster definition. But it's nice to hear things in other peoples words to explain things better sometimes.
So, an identifier is a word or series of words that we feel define us. Sometimes these are harmless words. Like I am Italain, I am vegetarian, I am brunette.
Other times these words can start to cripple us without us even knowing it.
For example, I am vegetarian but I was trying to switch to veganism. I felt a lot of pressure with that word. I was so self-conscious whenever I would slip up. I would never tell anyone I was vegan. The word itself made me feel like if I didn't live up to it 110%, then I was doing the community a disservice by calling myself that.
Another example that plays a role in my life is spirituality. I call myself spiritual. But because my definition of spirituality varies from other peoples, I shy away from going into too much detail about it with other people. I believe in a higher power but I fear that if my higher power isn't the same as yours, then you will judge me or feel as though I am not spiritual enough to be using that term. Thus, I have a mini complex about this identifier.
Wouldn't life be better if we just removed identifiers completely and stopped feeling the need to label everything that we are?
Imagine how much less stressful life would be if we could just do what makes us happy without having to label or define it.
If we remove the identifiers and labels that cripple us or make people uncertain of us, we would relieve a lot of judgement that tends to burden us.
Instead of calling myself vegan, I want to thrive on a plant base diet without fear of doing the term "vegan" and injustice. I want to not be afraid of slipping up or being judged because I didn't do something according to some unwritten rule's guidelines.
I want to be spiritual and believe in my higher power without having to put a label on what I am. No religion or practice defines me. I just do what makes me happy and keeps me level headed. I want to live free of judgment based on my spiritual beliefs, but I also want to be free to share them with other people. Swapping ideas and concepts could lead to a great deal of growth!
I don't want to have to wear a full face of make-up or a "cute" outfit everyday just to be labeled feminine or more of a woman. I am a woman. Regardless of how other people perceive my appearance. No one should have to go above and beyond to please other people. The way we look and present ourselves should be all about making us happy and comfortable - not others!
It's important to just live our lives according to what makes us happy. At the end of the day, you are the one person you are stuck with for your entire life. There is no escaping that. So why worry about what other people think or create labels to make them more satisfied?
By labeling or putting a definition on what you're trying to do, you're really limiting yourself. You will feel guilty of doing anything that doesn't "fit" into that identifier. Give yourself some freedom and a little slack by just doing what feels right in that moment. Save yourself the grief!
If you're doing something that makes you happy and feels right, then you're doing everything that you should be doing. Don't fear the judgement of others. Judgement is there because they do not understand the journey that you are on. Luckily, your journey is for you to understand and for others to admire. You don't have to explain yourself to anyone or change your path because of them. You are living your life - and it's a beautiful one!
Admire other people's journeys. You may not understand or agree with it, but that is what makes life beautiful. We're all living our own journeys, defining our own lives and living to do things that make us feel whole and happy.
So drop the label, live your truth and show this life who is boss!