I think one of the most important questions I’ve asked in my healing journey has been: is this something that I can heal, or just manage for the rest of my life?

This question helped me pursue a more accurate diagnosis when different doctors assigned the full gamut of trauma and mental illness-related diagnoses to me over the years.

It’s helped me focus on incorporating coping strategies and well-rounded self care practices in my life.

…And probably most importantly now: it has helped me fully own my social and cultural identity and stop denying the impacts of my lived experience on my mental health.

(these two women and books have helped me immensely as a bi-racial, asian-american woman)

While it’s difficult to focus on much else when your whole life feels consumed by pain and insecurity, all of us have been born into a global narrative where hate and love and injustice has occurred hundreds of times over. We can’t arrive in this imperfect world, and ignore the ways the tensions squeeze us into different versions of ourselves.

Your angst may be due to social inequities if:

• you feel less than when a skinnier, whiter, richer person enters the room

• you feel ashamed of your culture’s practices or appearances, and want to minimize them when discussing your family

• at work you feel like you keep getting spoken over or down to despite stellar output, and you don’t know why

As I learn more about these (class, racial, gender) frameworks, a substantial weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I realize that as a woman and person of color, not only am I not alone in my experiences, but there is extensive history written about how we, as a society, have arrived at this place.

Here are some books that helped me a lot along the way: Revolution from Within by Gloria Steinem, Like She Owns the Place by Cara Alwill Leyba, and Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde.

How has exploring your identity played a role in your healing journey?

*This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through links in this post with NO additional cost to you. Read my Disclaimer Policy for more details.