The Missing Step of Identity Shifting and Manifestation

“The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently.”
― Pema Chödrön, “When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times”

I’ve been diligently working on my Identity Shifting program and can almost see the finish line.

After months of immersing myself in the material and working through the process, a realization struck me one day:

What if the only thing standing between you and the life you want to lead is the person you think you have to be?

We spend so much time envisioning who we want to become—that grandest expression of who we are, the one that’s living into raw, unapologetic authenticity and purpose. But before we can step into that vision, there’s an equally important question we often overlook:

Who do I no longer want to be?

Identity shifting isn’t just about becoming something new. It’s also about bringing consciousness to what has been unconscious—developing extreme awareness of the old identities, outdated beliefs, and ways of being that keep us tethered to the past.

And this is where we unknowingly get stuck.

When we struggle to create change in our lives, it’s rarely because we lack the desire to change, but because we’re still unconsciously carrying the weight of who we’ve been. And before we can shift into the greatest expression of ourselves, we must first take an honest look in the mirror and recognize what is no longer serving us.

Because you cannot embody your future self while still gripping onto the energy of your past. You cannot create a new reality while still carrying the habits, emotions, and beliefs that shaped your old one. And you certainly cannot step into radical authenticity while still unconsciously performing a version of yourself that was never truly yours to begin with.

So in this edition, we’ll explore how to give your current identity a reality check—so you can release the parts of yourself that no longer align and reconnect with what’s always been true.

The Weight of an Old Identity

The first real step toward shifting your identity—toward becoming the person you know, deep down, you’re destined to be—is to clearly identify what aspects of yourself you need to change.

But keep this in mind: This isn’t about rejecting yourself or lamenting your past choices.

It’s about radical self-honesty and self-awareness.

It’s about realizing that at some point, you memorized a way of being in the world—a way that once served you.

Maybe it kept you safe.
Maybe it made you strong.
Maybe it helped you move forward.

But that version of yourself? It’s not who you really are.

Not Set In Stone

I remember when I was a kid—I was shy. Painfully shy.

But it wasn’t just something I felt; I was told it was part of me. Family members, teachers, and even friends reinforced the story that “Anthony is a shy kid”— as if I had the “shy gene.”

And so, I lived into that story.

But I didn’t wake up every day choosing shyness. It simply became my default state of being.

And this is how all identities are formed—whether it’s shyness, anger, insecurity, or any other habitual way of being.

No one is born with the “angry gene” or the “insecure gene.” These states are memorized over time by habitually thinking and feeling in the same familiar ways, until eventually, they become embedded into an identity.

And just like footsteps pressed into the earth, the more we tread the same emotional ground, the more defined it becomes—until the path feels hardened beneath us, as if it were the only way forward.

But here’s the good news:

Who you have been is not set in stone.

Just as your neurophysiology memorized these states, it can unmemorize them. And in their place, you can create new ways of thinking, feeling, and being.

But before you can even do that, the real question is:

Are you willing to be brutally honest with yourself and acknowledge them?

Because awareness is half the battle.

The Mirror Method: Seeing, Releasing, Uncovering

Set aside some quiet time to truly look at your life through the mirror of deep self-awareness. Without judgment, reflect on:

Who am I currently? (What story do I tell myself about who I am right now?)
What am I capable of currently?
What do I believe I am not capable of currently, and why?
What am I doing—or avoiding—each day that either moves me toward or away from my future self?
What ways of thinking, feeling, and acting have I memorized that no longer align with my future?
What parts of myself are out of alignment with that greatest expression of myself?
What am I currently tolerating in my life that I no longer wish to tolerate?
What old stories about myself am I still carrying that were given to me by others?
How do I present myself to the world, and is that an honest reflection of who I really am?

Write them down. Name them. Declare who you no longer wish to be.

Because the sooner you make that choice, the sooner you can adjust. Choice is the precursor to identity. And when you make the same choice day after day, eventually, it stops being a choice—it simply becomes who you are.

Keep in mind: Approach this practice with non-judgmental curiosity. This is not about tallying up your shortcomings or punishing yourself for past choices. It’s about seeing yourself clearly.

And while that isn’t always easy, try reframing this through gratitude—gratitude for the insight you’re uncovering and for the wisdom emerging.

Embracing Your True Self

Today, we focused on the parts of ourselves that no longer align with who we’re becoming. But as mentioned, this isn’t about self-rejection—it’s about deep self-honoring.

Every past version of you has shaped who you are today. Some parts no longer fit. Others are essential—woven into your soulprint, guiding you toward the destiny unfolding within you.

This short guided message is about recognizing those parts. The ones that aren’t meant to be released but embraced. The qualities, quirks, and inner wisdom that have always been yours to keep.

If today’s practice stirred something in you, I invite you to give it a listen.

Listen (8 mins) ➜