(Even When Life Dropkicks You in the Face)
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You know that hollow feeling when something falls apart and you suddenly have no idea who you are anymore?
Yeah—been there.
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For years, my identity was my business.
It was my purpose, my personality, my status, my therapy, my everything.
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Until it wasn’t.
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When I stepped away, I didn’t just lose a job—I lost myself.
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No title. No daily structure. No adrenaline from closing deals.
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Just silence, and a growing voice in my head asking:“
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So… what now?”
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That’s when I discovered something that changed how I see identity forever:
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Identity diversification.(Yes, it sounds like something from your financial advisor. But hear me out.)
What the Hell Is Identity Diversification?
It’s exactly what it sounds like:
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Don’t bet your entire sense of self on one thing.
When all your identity eggs are in one basket—your job, your relationship, your role as a parent, or your six-pack—it only takes one hit to send you spiraling.
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It’s fragile. And fragility breaks.
Resilient people?
They build multiple identity pillars—so when one crumbles, the whole thing doesn’t collapse.
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Think of It Like This:
Your life is a table.
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Every identity—friend, writer, builder, traveler, son, surfer, whatever—is a leg.
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A table with one leg? Wobbly as hell
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.A table with five? You could throw a bowling ball at it and it’ll still stand.
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That’s the point.
How to Build More Legs (Without Losing Your Mind)
Step 1: Audit Your Identity
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Ask yourself:
“If I stopped doing what I do today, who would I be tomorrow?
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”If the answer is “I have no f***ing clue,” welcome. You’re not alone. And it’s time to expand.
Step 2: Follow the Curiosity
Try this exercise:
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What excites me outside of work?
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Who energizes me? Who drains me?
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What have I always wanted to try but talked myself out of?
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What values do I want to live by (not just post on LinkedIn)?
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What environments make me feel alive?
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Then act on one thing.
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Take a class. Start writing. Volunteer. Build something. Go somewhere.
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Not for the money. Not for the followers. Just because it makes you you.
Step 3: Protect Your Identity from Burnout
This isn’t about doing more.
It’s about doing what fills your cup instead of draining it dry.
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You don’t need 15 new hobbies.
You need meaningful ones.
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You don’t need more social events.
You need authentic relationships.
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Stay light. Stay curious. Stay aware.
A Quick Reality Check
There will be resistance.
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You’ll feel guilty for “wasting time.
”You’ll question whether it’s worth it.
You’ll think, “What’s the point if I’m not making money from it?”
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Here’s the point:
You’re building a version of yourself that doesn’t collapse when one part of your life gets nuked.
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That’s not luxury. That’s insurance.
Final Thought
Your identity should be like a well-balanced portfolio.
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Diversified.
Durable.
Resilient in the face of volatility.
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Because your job isn’t promised.
Your six-pack won’t last.
And sometimes the things you love will fall apart.
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But who you are?
That can’t be tied to one thing.
It has to be bigger.
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Until next time,
Benoit
