Identity vs Image: What's the difference?
Is there even a difference?
On the surface, I’d say yes, there is a difference. They may not even be related. Identity is who I am, internally. Image is how others see me, outwardly.
What if we flip that?
Identity is how others see me.
Image is who I am.
Read that again.
In a communal society which we all live in, we are in constant contact with others. They all treat you in a certain way. And they all have a view of you and who you are in their minds. So much so that every time you interact with someone that knows you, they are treating you as the you that’s already in their mind, not the present moment you. Get that? This happens all day with everyone you know. And you're doing it to them too.
What what is your identity?
Is it the internal you? The thoughts you have, the way you dress, the way you act?
Or is your identity the you that everyone else has in their minds? Cuz without other people knowing you and interacting with you… would you really even exist?
Now let’s talk about image.
“Image is who I am.” How? Well, my image (in this case, physical outward appearance) strongly influences how the world perceives me… including how I perceive myself. And we already now know that how others perceive us is our identity. So our image influences our identity fundamentally. Thus… our image is who we are.
When you are looking amazing - it’s a good hair day, you’re wearing your favorite outfit, jewelry, shoes - you’re a different person. You go about your day in a totally new way. Other see you differently. Your actions and speaking change. You are influencing the view that others have of you in their mind. You are re-writing your identity.
So, when you alter and design your image accordingly, you are altering and designing your identity. And you are thus altering and designing your reality and your life.
The fact that your identity and reality is so heavily influenced by how others view you and treat you may seem like you are subject to the will of others. It is actually the opposite. This fact gives you great power of your life… because it is possible to train other people to see you and treat you however you want them to.
This is why I do alter ego work with my photography clients, friends, and accountability men’s group. It’s the most freeing way to design and create a new identity for someone… and thus a new life. Plus it’s super fun.
A major step here is the physical image part. How does the alter ego dress? Then dress like that.
Create your image around this alter ego as a state change shortcut to become this new person and re-create your reality instantly.
That’s a bold claim, and I know it to be true because I’ve witnessed it many times over and experienced it myself many times over.
Identity is how others see me.
Image is who I am.
Design and alter my image to create my reality.
For more on changing how others see you, see my article on verbally communicating that change here.
This article goes out to all you Leos. Especially Leo risings.
The end.