Why Labels Aren’t The Issue And What Is...
WHY ARE LABELS NOT THE ISSUE AND WHAT IS...
About a year ago, if you had asked me what I thought about labels and how we stick them on others, I would have shared that,
"I don't like labels."
Or
"Labels are not helpful."
And yet, now this looks very different to me. Labels can be very helpful depending on what we are using them for.
This year has taken me on a path of individualization. A journey where putting a label on my behaviors as people-pleasing has been really helpful to make sense of my life’s journey. When I had the realization that people-pleasing had been present throughout my life, and that was the lens that I lived through and made choices by, I was able to alchemize certain aspects of myself that had been running my relationship with the masculine. It gave me a place to start, a point of reference, and a deeper understanding of the patterns that were playing out in my life, that I had been completely oblivious to.
Understanding Behavior Patterns and Labels
Over time, I’ve come to realize that labels can help us identify key behavior patterns that we may not have been aware of. Recognizing patterns like people-pleasing isn’t just about placing a label; it’s about giving ourselves a reference point. When we understand these behaviors, we can begin to unravel the patterns that have shaped our interactions and decisions. It becomes less about the label itself and more about the insight it brings to our journey of self-awareness.
But that’s not to say that labels aren’t free of their challenges. It all depends on what we are using them for.
If
They are used to do harm
We judge them
We are not able to see the gifts in them
They can be extremely limiting and create more harm than good.
The Role of Identity Formation Through Labels
Labels are not just descriptions of behavior; they play a significant role in identity formation. For instance, recognizing myself as someone who has exhibited people-pleasing behaviors has helped me understand how much of my identity was tied to seeking approval from others. It’s in that recognition where growth begins, allowing us to redefine who we are beyond the limitations of the label.
So it would seem to me that labels aren’t an issue, it’s our use of them and the relationship we have to them that will be.
What are your thoughts?
