If I do not define myself by my job, my achievements, or by what others think of me, then an uncomfortable question remains: who am I without all of that? Most of us build our identity on what we do and how we are validated. It works as long as there is activity and recognition. But when the noise fades, when no one is applauding and there are no tasks to complete, the void appears. And in that space, titles, money, and image are useless. What remains is the relationship I have with myself.

That question requires emotional maturity because it forces us to look without filters. It means accepting limits, contradictions, and parts of ourselves that do not fit the image we show. Not everyone wants to do that. It is easier to keep producing and seeking approval. But if we avoid that question, we live reacting instead of choosing. Knowing who I am without external decoration does not weaken me, it gives me freedom.