What is identity paralysis and how to fix it is a topic for a deep dive. So grab your favorite beverage get cozy and let’s dive in. Conflicting messages bombard women constantly in today’s world, gripping us with identity paralysis. We’re told to be saints and badasses. To age gracefully, or embrace anti-aging. To fake it till we make it. Be authentic while simultaneously conforming to societies, highly patriarchal patterning.
Is it any wonder that we sometimes feel stuck?
Unsure of who we truly are?
Or what we’re meant to do?
Identity paralysis is illusionary and your ego at play; it’s learned negative behaviors. Behaviors that arise from societal pressures, major life changes, or conflicting expectations will trigger these states. It’s an insidious phenomenon that leaves us feeling lost, empty, and disconnected from our truth; our true selves.
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. ― Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning
The Challenges Women Face Are Hidden In Identity Paralysis
Women are expected to be nurturing and compassionate, yet also assertive and ambitious. We’re encouraged to “lean in” at work, but not too much, lest we be labeled as aggressive. (Think Martha Stewart – go Martha, go!)
This constant push and pull can lead to a fractured sense of self, as we struggle to reconcile our various roles and identities. Often, it’s our ego trying to maintain control when, in fact, we need to surrender to what is. This is why we frequently repeat negative, egoic patterns in our lives – manifesting as indecisiveness, anger, or aggression.
Shutting down these behaviors is key in recognizing that true empowerment comes not from rigidly controlling our identity, but from embracing our multifaceted nature. By acknowledging and integrating all aspects of ourselves, we can navigate hidden identity paralysis with greater ease and authenticity.
Remember, it’s okay to be both nurturing and ambitious, both compassionate and assertive. Your strength lies in your complexity.
So how do we fix it?
Break the Cycle
Exploring personality through the lens of spirituality opens up a world of new perspectives, far beyond the limitations of 1940s typology systems like Myers-Briggs, which tend to only focus only on behavioral traits and indicators. Spiritual Personality Typing, a contemporary and mystical paradigm, delves deeper into our inner selves, offering profound insights and meaningful personal development. This approach helps us discover purpose beyond the materialistic goals we’ve often been conditioned to believe are the only path to fulfillment. This breaks the cycle.
Spiritual Personality Typing offers a richer understanding of ourselves, blending logical and spiritual perspectives to unlock our true nature. This holistic approach encourages us to look beyond surface behaviors, exploring the depths of our spiritual essence. It fosters growth, self-awareness, and authentic living, inviting us to embrace the multifaceted nature of human existence.
By identifying traits from a spiritual viewpoint, we gain insights that help align our actions with core values and beliefs. Our personality becomes a tool for awareness, allowing our spirit-fed self to express through refined traits, rather than relying on conditioned responses. This journey nurtures both our inner and outer worlds, guiding us towards our organic whole – our true self.
Key Benefit To Kick Identity Paralysis To The Curb
- Divine Direction: A new way to explore personality traits. You’ll see the relationship between the logical and spiritual and how to two can bring about an expansive way of being in the world: our personality, our personal reality!
- Meaning and Purpose: Illuminates our personality preferences to reveal a deeper spiritual vocation; our contribution and how we show up in the world.
- Trait Awareness: An understanding of the beautiful relationship between traits and how these relationships insist on clarity helping to dissolve life’s illusions.
- Self-Discovery: Introduces the idea that our nonphysical self transcends our physical understanding. When we work with the Divine within, and let it lead our lives, we enjoy a limitless, co-creative, higher-mind. The Divine within helping us take inspired action.
The moment you have an instinct to act on a goal you must 5-4-3-2-1 and physically move or your brain will stop you. Mel Robbins, Host of The Mel Robbins Podcast.
Breakthrough Tips To Free Yourself from Identity Paralysis
So how do we break free from this paralysis and step confidently into our “big break moments”? Here are some strategies to help you reconnect with your authentic self:
- Embrace Self-Reflection: Take time to explore your values, passions, and goals without the influence of external expectations.
- Challenge Limiting Beliefs: Identify and question the beliefs that hold you back from embracing your true self.
- Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself as you navigate this journey of self-discovery.
- Seek Support: Surround yourself with people who encourage and uplift you.
- Take Small Steps: Start with small actions that align with your authentic self and build from there.
Journal Prompts To Help You Get Clear
To help you on this journey, here are a few suggested journal prompts to explore:
- What aspects of myself do I feel most confident about?
- When do I feel most authentically “me”?
- What societal expectations do I find most challenging to navigate?
- If I could design my ideal life without any constraints, what would it look like?
- What small step can I take today to align more closely with my authentic self?
Journal Prompt: When do I feel most authentically “me”?
Hope Your Enjoyed: What Is Identity Paralysis and How To Fix It?
Remember, it’s not too much to ask to feel good and confident. Knowing who you are and what you’re meant to do is what brings meaning and purpose to your life. The journey to a meaningful life may be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. By embracing your true self and challenging societal expectations, you can break free from identity paralysis and step confidently into your big break moments.
Your identity is not fixed or predetermined? It’s a fluid, evolving aspect of who you are. Embrace the inner-journey of self-awareness, and don’t be afraid to redefine yourself as you grow and change. You are becoming who you want to be, so harness the power of your spiritual personality type to shape your identity. Build a life that truly resonates with your authentic self.
Book: Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide
New here? Curious about travel personality typing? My debut book, Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide, is your gateway to discovering your true self through travel. This book serves as the ultimate toolkit, introducing an exciting personality framework rooted in spirituality.
Inside, you’ll uncover how the joys of travel provide the perfect playground for self-awareness, complete with reflective questions that guide you on your journey. Explore top destinations for adventure, relaxation, and inspiration, along with practical tips for leveraging your personality preferences to create more fulfilling getaways. By harmonizing the insights of your personality with your inner guide (your higher self), you can elevate your travel experiences, embracing both worldly wonders and divine transcendence.
For me, travel has become a powerful way to embody my true self, whether I’m exploring distant lands or my own backyard. Ready to embark on this journey?
My debut book: Unpack Your Personality Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide: Grab your copy here.
Step Into The Pages of the Book with Moi! Schedule a personalized 1:1 power hour where we explore your travel personality in detail.
Welcome, Friends… It’s Time for a New Life!
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Part of my purpose is to help you rethink how you see yourself and your business. What I now know is we don’t need more work; we need what works. Additionally, you also don’t need anyone telling you what to do!
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For career women who think they can do it all, empty nesters, newly widowed or divorced women, young mothers, and artful agers who want to carve out a new season in life. I’ve got you! Listen you’re never to old to fully embrace who you’re meant to be.
The world needs YOU—not some version of you.
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About
Nina Zapala is the founder of the Soul’s Role in Personality Typing. She offers an emerging and mystical approach to personality typing, ideally suited for these evolving times. By integrating the soul’s role into personality typing, I provide women with a personalized roadmap to fully embody their true selves. This spiritual typology unveils a pioneering perspective, helping women not only understand and embrace their outer persona, but also connect with their deeper essence—identifying their soul’s true purpose. It’s a profound shift that empowers women to align with their highest potential and live with purpose. This isn’t just insight; it’s a life-changing journey.
Note: I’m a certified Myers-Briggs® instructor with an intuitive side and ready to introduce you to a new paradigm in personality typing supported by a spiritual understanding.
Photo Credit: Liza Summer
