Did you know that your identity isn’t static—it’s a blend of past, choice, and growth. And, you have the power to influence how much, and in what ways, these shape you...once you can see them clearly!
The map breaks this down into three layers:
1. GIVEN – What You Were Born Into
These are characteristics that you didn’t choose, yet they influence much of your worldview and life experience.
Think: birthplace, ethnicity, family structure, gender assigned at birth, or the community you grew up in.
These factors can shape your opportunities, beliefs, and even the way others perceive you—sometimes long before you have a chance to define yourself.
Reflection Prompt:
What aspects of your identity were given to you that have most influenced how others see you? How have they shaped the way you see yourself?
2. CHOSEN – What You Actively Shape
These are the elements you’ve intentionally built into your life: your interests, hobbies, career path, political or spiritual affiliations, and the communities you join by choice.
The chosen layer reflects your agency—the ways you express who you are and what matters to you.
Reflection Prompt:
What parts of your identity have you consciously chosen?
Which ones feel like true expressions of your authentic self, and which have changed over time?
3. CORE – Who You’ve Become
This is the essence of you—the internal values, strengths, and skills that have developed through lived experience.
Your core identity is less about external traits and more about inner grounding: your compassion, resilience, curiosity, integrity, or sense of purpose.
It’s not given or chosen—it’s grown.
Reflection Prompt:
What qualities define your character at the deepest level?
Which experiences have shaped your core beliefs or values?
How Memory and Story Connect It All
The dotted outer circle labeled “Autobiographical Memory” reminds us that our sense of self is rooted in our stories.
Every event—positive or painful—becomes part of how we understand who we are. By revisiting and rewriting these narratives, we can reframe how we see ourselves and open up space for healing and growth.
Try This Exercise:
Take 10 minutes to journal one defining story from your life.
Identify which parts of your identity (given, chosen, core) show up in that story.
Ask yourself: What meaning does this experience hold for me now?
Why This Matters for Mental Health
Understanding your social identity helps you:
Build self-compassion by recognizing what was outside your control.
Strengthen empowerment through awareness of what you’ve chosen and can still change.
Cultivate resilience by honoring how you’ve grown and what you value most.
When we see ourselves clearly, we can show up more authentically in relationships, reduce internal conflict, and create a sense of alignment between who we are and how we live.
Your identity isn’t fixed—it’s alive.
As you evolve, your map will, too.
Return to this exercise whenever you feel uncertain, disconnected, or in transition. You might be surprised at how much you’ve grown, how your values have clarified, and how your sense of purpose continues to expand.
