Unveil

Before I became a transition coach, I shared my feelings about career changes with a friend. She had gone through a similar experience. She felt lost because her identity was tied to her job and company. Her feelings mirrored mine. It hit me then that I had an identity crisis and had become uncertain about who I was. It took someone with a similar story to help me see the problem.

You see, life changes often cause a period of questioning who you are and what you want, especially if you've played a role or embodied a certain identity for a long time, whether at work, at home, in personal relationships, or in any other capacity.

I have seen this identity struggle in friends and clients. When I meet clients who are transitioning, their difficulty in expressing their identity is obvious. It shows in their words, body language, questions, and the clarity they seek about the future. It often feels like a cry for help.

Knowing who you are can guide and keep you grounded during a transition and afterward.

So, who are you? And how does self-awareness help you navigate your journey?

Articulating our identities after a transition can be challenging. It often requires honest self-reflection to rediscover ourselves. The steps to achieve this are surprisingly simple.

1. Define your pre-transition identity.

2. List defining moments (like key accomplishments or life-changing events) from before your transition.

3. List your strengths and weaknesses.

4. Use your answers from steps 1-3 to create a profile—this is your current identity.

You are a combination of your experiences, strengths, and weaknesses. Your past shapes who you are today, but you can always improve. Your future self depends on how you reshape your current self. To become a better version of yourself, you need to create a clear vision of who you want to be, analyze your current self, identify areas for growth, and align those with your goals and vision.

Let me ask you, can you honestly describe your identity? It’s great if you can, but if you can’t, then it’s time to define it. Who are you becoming through life changes?

To new chapters and bold transitions,

Tolu Rogers, Ph.D.

Career & Life Transition Coach | Helping you navigate transitions with clarity, confidence, and purpose.