As we step into the ninth day of this A2Z Blogchatter journey, we arrive at a letter that feels oddly personal—I.
It sounds like ego, but here, it’s not about self-importance. It’s about self-understanding.
So today, we’re talking about Identity, Insomnia, and Introspection—three seemingly different things, but all tied to how we experience ourselves. These are not just abstract words; they’re daily struggles, private battles, and quiet awakenings.
Identity: Who Am I, Really?
I don’t know about you, but I often find myself asking—who am I today?
Am I the mental health professional who holds space for others? Am I a mother? A friend? A woman trying to heal her own inner child?
Identity isn’t static. It changes with time, with trauma, with growth. And for many of us, especially when mental health is shaky, identity can feel blurred.
You may question your worth, your roles, your desires.
You may feel disconnected from your past self and uncertain of who you’re becoming.
And that’s okay.
We are allowed to evolve.
But what’s not okay is when we are forced to be someone we’re not, or shamed for not fitting into someone else’s definition of who we “should” be.
So here’s a gentle nudge—take time to explore who you are without labels. Without pressure. Your identity doesn’t need a stamp of approval. It just needs your truth.
Ask yourself:
- What makes me feel most like me?
- What parts of me have I silenced to be accepted?
- Am I living in alignment with what I truly value?
You don’t have to figure it all out today. But the more you listen inward, the louder your real voice becomes.
Insomnia: When the Mind Won’t Sleep
Let’s talk about insomnia, because no mental health discussion is complete without those sleepless nights we’ve all endured at some point.
You know the drill—eyes wide open, thoughts swirling, the silence too loud to bear.
For some, insomnia is temporary. For others, it’s chronic. But for all, it’s exhausting.
What I’ve seen with many clients—and felt personally too—is that insomnia is rarely about “just” not sleeping.
It’s about anxiety, overthinking, unprocessed emotions, and the fear of facing the quiet.
Night strips away distractions. There are no WhatsApp notifications to hide behind, no meetings to attend.
It’s just you and your thoughts. And sometimes, that’s the scariest place to be.
So if you’re tossing and turning, maybe try this:
- Keep a journal by your bed. Pour out your thoughts before you sleep.
- Create a bedtime ritual that signals your brain it’s safe to unwind.
- Avoid self-blame. You’re not lazy or weak. You’re human. And your mind is just a little too full right now.
Sometimes the most compassionate thing we can do is whisper to ourselves, “You’ve done enough today. You deserve rest.”
Introspection: The Art of Looking Inward
Now, here’s the softer side of “I.” Introspection.
It’s quiet. Reflective. Healing.
We live in a world that’s always asking us to look outside—to compare, to compete, to seek approval. But true healing often begins when we turn inward.
Introspection isn’t overthinking. It’s not obsessing.
It’s observing—with curiosity, not judgment.
It’s asking:
- What am I feeling right now?
- Why did that comment hurt me?
- What belief am I carrying that’s no longer serving me?
As a psychologist, I find this is where breakthroughs happen—not in grand revelations, but in small moments of clarity when someone says, “I never realised I felt that way until now.”
And you don’t need to be in therapy to experience that.
Just a willingness to pause. To breathe. To look inside.
I is not just a letter. It’s a mirror.
It reflects the identity you carry, the insomnia you hide, and the introspection you avoid or embrace.
It’s a reminder that mental health isn’t about quick fixes or superficial positivity.
It’s about the relationship you have with yourself.
So today, take a moment to pause. Ask gently, Who am I becoming?
Let go of the need to have all the answers. You’re allowed to be unfinished, in progress, healing.
And if sleep escapes you tonight, may kindness find you instead.
Tomorrow, we explore another letter, another layer of healing. Till then—take care of your I.
You’re worth it.