Identity

Articles, Films and practical Guides on identity, part of Psyche’s coverage of self-knowledge and personal growth.
A woman stands in a patch of sunlight in a room with stacked chairs and windows framed by curtains.
IDENTITY

How cultural outsiders cope with the pain of feeling different

In therapy with people from immigrant families, I’ve seen the side effects of adaptation – and what it takes to break free

by Dennis Portnoy

A woman in an art studio examining a small object surrounded by paintings, plants and art supplies.
IDENTITY

The mudlark

After a lifetime of collecting artefacts from strangers’ lives, I’m finally ready to face my own past

by Marie-Louise Plum

Collage of vintage photos featuring people in various settings on a wooden surface.
RACE AND ETHNICITY
7

My life as an alien

I know the cost of being misread – first as too Black, then as too white, and never as just myself

by Pamela Swanigan

A person relaxing on an inflatable ring in a river surrounded by trees on a sunny day.
GENDER
2

Muscle memory

How transitioning upended my own gendered understanding of strength, desirability, and power

by Mieke de Vries

Drawing of a child leaning on a table beside a fishbowl with a red fish inside. The background is plain and neutral.
IDENTITY

An animator’s bittersweet ode to her ‘third culture’ childhood

Directed by Diana Cam Van Nguyen

Three people laughing and holding drinks at a party, showing hands and faces partially, with a joyful atmosphere.
COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE
4

Mind the accent

When I spoke like someone I wasn’t, people listened more closely. What did that say about them – and me?

by Erica Mayor

Two clay faces with minimal features lying on a dark surface in a close-up photograph.
THE SELF

A woman must break apart to make herself whole in this surreal, stunning animation

Directed by Chu-Chieh Lee

Illustration of a night scene with musicians performing, a person on a chair, a bird flying and mountains in the background.
MEMORY AND NOSTALGIA
1

Synchronicity

Long ago, I gave a boy a greenfinch. That moment followed me in ways I’m still puzzling over

by Katia Ariel

A cyclist on a yellow bike passing a closed fast food shop with a yellow and maroon facade and a one-way sign.
COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE

A detour home, through Portuguese

Losing my mother tongue was painful and humiliating. Could learning a new language help me heal?

by Frances Nguyen

Black and white photo of an older man who is Christopher Walken in a suit gesturing while speaking into a microphone.
COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE

The voices that stick in our minds

Are the most memorable voices just the ones we hear frequently? Or is there some other quality they have?

by Matt Huston

Photo of four men embracing on a beach at night with colourful lights blurred in the background.
GENDER
15

Too many men lack close friendships. What’s holding them back?

Some masculine norms are a straightjacket, depriving men of the connections they need. It takes bravery to leave them behind

by Angelica Puzio Ferrara

A blue sports car and a grey luxury car parked on a city street with people and a Christian Dior shop in the background.
GENDER
17

The ‘masculinity crisis’ is actually a crisis of self-esteem

There’s a modern belief that talent or effort can carry anyone to the top. It’s a myth that’s especially harmful to men

by Leo Rogers

Photo of people in winter clothing exiting a tram at a busy station.
AUTISM

Late autism diagnosis: it’s a relief, but who’s behind the mask?

By the time an adult learns they’re autistic, they have often been covering up for years. A period of self-discovery awaits

by Leonie Mercedes

Photo of an aeroplane parked at Bologna Airport with the terminal and control tower in the background.
COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE
8

Speaking a different language can change how you act and feel

For many multilinguals, switching between tongues can lead to shifts in personality, revealing the malleability of the self

by Antonella Gismundi

A photo of an artist in a cap and paint-splattered trousers sitting next to a large painting of a man holding his face in his hands.
PAINTING AND SCULPTURE

A rural Namibian artist reflects on authenticity in work and in life

Directed by Niklas von Klitzing and Leo Stolz

Photo of a quaint bookshop with a green facade and display window filled with books, a person entering via a side door.
PLACE

‘Place authenticity’ is an important, overlooked part of life

From indie bookshops to artisan cafes, spending time in unique, characterful places can enrich your own sense of self

by Ashley Krause