alan waterman defines identity as a “clearly delineated self-definition comprised of those goals, values, and beliefs to which the person is unequivocally committed”. in other words, identity is a firm grasp of the broad elements that make up our sense-of-self.
although I think Waterman’s elements are too limited to comprise a complete rendering of identity, the concept of self as a self-definition is helpful framing.
identity is whatever we use to corral our sense-of-self into something we can, or can nearly, articulate. some of this is explicable – those goals, values, beliefs, preferences, narratives – while others are more nebulous, making up something like the essence of ourselves.
[!note] on daimon waterman references something similar with the concept of daimon, or “true self”, referring to one’s potential, and one’s obligation to live in accordance with it. this is a helpful idea, but i’m referring less to character or purpose and more to one’s. . . je ne sais quoi.
{1.1b} a strong sense of identity comes from a well-developed self-definition and this self-definition has to be aligned with one’s experience in the world to maintain a {1.1a} state of continuity over time.
2026-07-03 see now {1.4} identity as our unique location in time and space
[!trailhead]- trails ⬇️ {1.1a} it's unclear whether identity is discovered or created ⬇️ {1.1b} a strong sense of identity comes from a well-developed self-definition ⬇️ {1.1c} a strong sense of identity requires a sense of continuity