Breaking up with "I Am": Your "I am" statements may be causing side effects...

Let's talk about two tiny words that are shaping your entire identity: "I am."

As physicians, we're trained to be precise with our language. Yet when it comes to our emotions, we often use language that boxes us in. "I am stressed." "I am overwhelmed." "I am anxious." We all do this many times a day without thinking about how powerful language can be in our view of ourselves. 

It's like we're writing our own diagnosis. Instead of describing a temporary state, we're defining a terminal diagnosis. 

You're not anxious - you're experiencing anxiety.
You're not overwhelmed - you're feeling overwhelm. 

You’re not stuck and this doesn't define your personality.

This isn't about denying what you're feeling. It's about remembering that you're the container for these experiences, not the experiences themselves. You're the ocean, and emotions are the waves - sometimes stormy, sometimes calm, but never the whole story.

This week, try to catch yourself when you say "I am [emotion]." Practice saying "I am feeling [emotion]" instead. This will create space between you and the emotion. Space for observation. Space for choice. Space to identify as your whole, true self.