We are living in the era of the individual, with carefully curated social media feeds increasingly aimed at one thing and thing only; cultivating a personal ‘brand’ you can be proud of.
That’s all well and good, except, well, it’s not; having a personal brand risks both ultra conformity and a commodified self, a dehumanising term that risks blurring the distinctions between work, play, family, friends and interests, and allowing narcissism to be the only motivator in a world crying out for compassion.
Ooops, went off on a bit of a tangent there. All of that said, if you feel like your sense of self has somehow lost its way, because of efforts to individualise rather than despite of it, then there are ways you can reinvent yourself to enjoy a more meaningful life, if your current one isn’t filling you with the satisfaction you deserve.
As the Science of People explains “Reinventing yourself means to change parts of yourself that you don’t like or are no longer serving you. It could mean changing your profession, banishing bad habits and traits, or even pursuing new skills”, and we’re very much here for enacting such positive changes.
With that in mind, here are 5 ways to reinvent yourself without losing your true sense of self.
Hire A Personal Life Coach
Scam, swindle or saviour? Opinion on life coaches sweeps across the spectrum, with those distrusting of the profession citing the lack of regulation or licensing required to become a life coach as a reason to doubt its legitimacy.
That may soon be set to change, with several universities now offering courses in life coaching, including the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), who currently provide an undergraduate Certificate in Coaching. Both Warwick and Newcastle University also offer courses in coaching and mentoring.
As opposed to the clinical guidance and interventions used in therapy, a life coach is arguably centered around less of the emotional parts of life and more on literal life choices, particularly regarding your career.
Rather than focusing on the past, like most therapists, a life coach will likely encourage you towards the future. They can facilitate a vision of what you would like to accomplish and help you set goals for how to succeed.
Check out the Life Coach Directory to find out more about the profession’s accreditation bodies, which carry with them a code of ethics and conduct, and an established complaints procedure. Should you be considering enlisting the services of a life coach, always ensure they are in this directory.
Change Your Job
Speaking of changes in career, might it be time to consider a new profession?
The signs of job dissatisfaction can creep up slowly. Sometimes, these signs can be so gradual that you don’t acknowledge them until you’ve reached retirement age with nothing to show for your years of hard work but back pain and debt.
Accordingly, if you’re looking to reinvent yourself, then you should first address that omnipresent thing in so many people’s existences draining them of their life force; their work.
With the job market in the UK somewhat stabilising after the shock of COVID-19, now might be the ideal time to consider a new career path. Our changing attitude to our work/life balance, a newfound experience of remote work and an increased desire for financial stability have all led to some seeking pastures new, and the UK looks set for continued drastic reappraisals of the very meaning of ‘work’ as we contemplate the end of the pandemic.
But with many Brits feeling a little hollow right now, if you are in need of a fresh start, then a change in career might be just the answer.
Create An Alter Ego
When it comes to reinventing yourself, some people start with learning a new language or taking up running. Some go further – much further – and start to create a whole new persona. More often than not, this starts with a change in name, whether it be something as simple as confirming you’d like to officially adopt your nickname, all the way to naming yourself Bacon Double Cheeseburger, as Londoner Sam Smith did after a few pints too many.
Yep, it looks like Sam Smith (not the singer, we’re guessing) found out the hard way that it’s actually easier to change your name than open a bank account.
That said, if you feel like a name change might help you refine and rejuvenate your sense of self, then by all means, go for it! Or, if your name recalls a past you’d like to forget, a gender you’re ready to share more publicly, or even a famous face you’d rather not be associated with, then changing it is as easy as filling out a form and filing it.
Be Your Authentic Self
Let’s be honest here; we shouldn’t be defined by our name, our career, or even our life choices. Instead, what makes us unique is the way we conduct ourselves and treat others, compassionately and authentically.
But what does it mean to be ‘authentic’? Well, it all starts with observing yourself objectively, identifying the everyday adaptive coping mechanisms – whether that’s people pleasing, defensiveness, or attention seeking – which perhaps betray our true feelings and mentality. Ask yourself why you use these, and how you might be able to address or abandon them in the future.
Consider the nature of relationships next, and whether they’re transactional, reciprocal or in some way imbalanced. In doing so, you’ll be able to examine which parts of your true personality you’re sacrificing in the name of unhealthy relationships.
Finally, engage in a little soul stewardship, living consciously, conscientiously and compassionately in the way you engage with the world. Only then will you offer the same compassion to your self.
Live More Mindfully & In The Moment
Perhaps the finest and most succinct way to reinvent yourself is also the most simple; to pledge to truly listen, learn to appreciate the small things, and try to live more mindfully and in the moment.
In a society where our attention is the world’s most valuable commodity, it can be impossible to switch off and dial in to what truly matters. In doing so, you’ll notice a change in perspective and projection, of both inner and outer calm, that will bring more positive change to your life than any material adjustments you make.
We can’t wait to meet the brighter, lighter, more present version of you!