Flipping the Label
In an era marked by skyrocketing inflation rates, have you ever felt like you’re constantly flipping over more tags? Not just the price tags in your shopping cart, but the very identities that society has woven onto you.
It’s a question that’s been on my mind lately, and it all started during a recent interview.
I was asked a seemingly simple question:
“How would someone describe you in three words? “
On a Saturday, I relayed this to a friend, whose response —
“passionate, determined, and kind.”
The fascination was in how these three words evolved, adapting like a chameleon changing its colors. These tags were already there. In the past, I’ve been described as —
“daydreamer, difficult, and pushover.”
I was constant, yet their value varied as if perceived through different lenses. This reflection led me to ponder the labels that have clung to me throughout the decades. Girl, Chinese, stupid, shy, useless, and an immigrant— these are just a handful of the many labels that have been affixed to me over the years. Once upon a time, I believed that these labels were woven into the very fabric of my existence. In this article, I aim to delve into a few of these labels and, in a playful twist, flip them around to unearth the positive aspects I’ve gained from them.
Shy — My “shyness”, I’ve come to realize, isn’t a weakness but a preference of where and who is worth my energy.
Useless — I’ve come to understand that this perception often resulted from being in the wrong place at the wrong time, surrounded by the wrong people who couldn’t recognize my value.
Immigrant — It remains a mystery as to why the label “immigrant” as well as my ethnicity can be such an issue for some. Humankind has roamed and resettled in distant lands for centuries.
As I introduce myself to new people at various stages in life, I’ve discovered hidden aspects of my identity that had been concealed by those enduring labels. It’s only by shedding these labels that I can truly reveal and allow others to appreciate the authentic me, seen from many perspectives.
So, here’s a thought: Just like flipping over the tags on a garment in a store, we should periodically review and reevaluate the labels that shape our identity. This practice allows us to recognize when it’s time to trim away a few of these tags that may no longer serve us.
