Personal Narrative-My Identity

The search for an identity - a sense of self- is a life-long journey and a great dilemma. No matter who we are, each of us is born into our own unique time and place in which we can begin to construct our sense of self. Granted, through our sense of self, we are able to find a sense of belonging with the world around us, which in turn aids our survival. Many individuals may choose to change their identity in order to assimilate or adapt accordingly to the needs of the changes in the world around them, which may be rewarded with a greater sense of belonging and acceptance. Nonetheless, it is just as equally imperative to remain veracious to our inner identity, rather than opting to comprise in order to meet the needs of the changing world around

Admittedly, growing up in Australia, as a Muslim migrant and a part of the large Hazara diaspora, I have had to deal with social and political expectations of a completely different system of government and learn to have a relaxed attitude to way of life that is distinctly at odds with more traditional environment I have migrated from. At times I didn’t know who I wanted to be, where I belonged to. Did I want to identify as a typical western teenager or a traditional middle eastern teenager? Ultimately, these questions and complications helped me become the person I am today. As a consequence of being able to change my identity and my sense of belonging, I was able to adapt and assimilate to the expectations and values of Australian society. Granted, my interactions, encounters, and connections with those around me, has allowed me to have an unconditioned acceptance of myself and view myself as a functioning member of Australian society. However, while these changes have led to minor compromises of my inner values and frameworks I was brought up within, I have still managed to keep a healthy balance of changing in response to the changes in my environment and remaining true to myself. Because it is only through such poise, that we are able to feel a genuine sense of belonging and acceptance of