The Covid-19 Identity Crisis

Have the past 12 months left you feeling unsure about yourself? Don’t worry, you’re not alone

- Liz Kirby

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about change in ways that very few of us could ever have expected. So it does make sense if you’ve kicked off 2021 with a few feelings of uncertainty.

But for some people this can develop into a condition known as an identity crisis. And while it’s something we’ve all heard about, what does it mean? Counsellor and coach Liz Kirby from The Indigo Project explains …

WHAT IS AN IDENTITY CRISIS?

“An identity crisis is when we question who it is that we are,” Kirby says. “We may feel as though we don’t know ourselves anymore, which can feel destabilising.”

So why does it happen? “Any big change can contribute to an identity crisis, such as leaving school, changing jobs, moving cities or countries, a pandemic, illness, retiring or becoming a parent,” Kirby says.

Questions around sexuality, race and gender can contribute to an identity crisis, along with childhood trauma or a traumatic event later in life.

“Grief can also trigger an identity crisis,” Kirby adds. “This includes losing someone we love, losing a job, a relationship ending or experiencing illness or an injury that changes your life as you’ve known it.”

COVID-19 AND CRISIS

Kirby says it’s not surprising that many people have felt disoriented during the pandemic.