Who Am I? Discovering Your Authentic Self

When was the last time you really stopped and asked yourself, “Who am I?” Not the version you show on social media or the roles you play in your daily life, but the real you—the one who exists when nobody else is watching. In Week One of The Shift Code, we dive deep into this question because understanding who you are is the cornerstone of personal empowerment.

Stripping Away the Labels

We often define ourselves by our roles: parent, spouse, friend, boss, or employee. While these are important parts of our identity, they don’t tell the full story. Imagine you had to introduce yourself without mentioning your job, your family, or your accomplishments. Scary, right? But it’s also freeing. Beneath all those layers is the essence of you—your values, passions, and dreams.

Think of yourself as a house. The roles you play are the paint and furniture, but who you truly are lies in the foundation. To shift your mindset and build a more empowered life, you need to strengthen that foundation.

Rediscovering Your Core

So, how do you uncover your authentic self? Start by reflecting on these questions:

What lights you up?  Think about the activities or topics that make you lose track of time. This is where your passions lie.

What values do you hold most dear?  Kindness, integrity, creativity—your values are the guiding principles of your life.

What stories are you telling yourself?  We all have inner narratives. Some uplift us, while others limit us. Recognizing these stories is the first step to rewriting them.

Embracing the Messy Parts

Here’s the truth: you’re a masterpiece in progress—actually we all are. There will be parts of your identity you love and parts you’d rather not acknowledge. But embracing every piece of yourself—the good, the bad, and the messy—is what makes you whole. Growth happens when you stop fighting who you are and start working with yourself.

Take the First Step

This week, try journaling about who you are at your core. Don’t hold back. Be curious, be bold, and most of all, be honest. Remember, discovering your authentic self isn’t about finding something new—it’s about uncovering what’s always been there.

Because when you know who you are, the shift begins.