Identity

Today in my Adolescent Development class we were talking about how adolescents develop their sense of identity. The girl who was teaching my group about the chapter mentioned that the book said that the person who entered adolescence was basically the same as the person who exited.

I felt like I changed a lot during my teenage years. We talked about "false-self behaviors" that many teenagers put on for different groups of people they interacted with. It's amazing that even though we act differently and try out new things, we eventually always come back to the core "me," who we always have been and always will be.

I thought I was outgoing and social in elementary school, somewhat so (with my friends) in high school, and have gotten progressively less so until recently. I always considered my core self be shy who only acted social sometimes, but I am reminded of a blessing that told me I would find that I truly enjoyed getting to know people. So maybe my "real" self is the confident, bubbly one? I just need to dig her out of me again.

Forming one's identity is a lifelong process. While I'm not sure about some things still, I am happy and content to feel like I know most of my core self. I know I am strong and capable and that I love to learn. I know I love to be at home and that I still can be successful and happy alone. I'm excited to get to know me the rest of the way, but I'm proud of the girl that I am so far!