Are you the “mom-friend”, the “wild one”, or the “nerd”? What labels do you use to define yourself?

Whatever label(s) you — or others —  use to define you have a profound impact on your life. And it’s important you acknowledge these labels – and confront the impact they have on your life.

This isn’t to say that you have to accept every label assigned to you. This is not healthy. However, you need to be aware that these labels exist and you need to choose how you are going to let these labels permeate your brain.

Believe it or not, the labels you and others assign to you have a huge impact on your concept of self. Evaluating your labels is important when it comes to choosing how you want to be perceived.

Ask yourself the following questions:

1: How do I label myself?

Write down any labels you can think of, going back as far as you can.

2: Where did these come from?

Who gave you these labels? Look at each label you wrote previously, and note who gave you that label.

3: How do these labels apply to you?

Or do they at all? Do these labels work for you? Are you living up to them? Which do you reject/which would you like to change?

You are not completely defined by your current state or your past; your future is not set in stone. Labels are a crude approximation that defines you, but they shouldn’t confine you.