I had no idea that others felt threatened by my identity.
“It was a revelation when I realised that the behaviours I faced were rooted in other’s insecurities about me. They were clinging to their own ideas of my identity and using them as a shield to preserve their own sense of safety and belonging in society.
Whilst they made themselves at home in their own world, this led to a feeling of ‘not belonging’ deep within me – a feeling that sparked a whole journey of self-discovery.
My book is a testament to that journey. It is an invitation to explore the depths of your identity, reflect on your own reality and inner experiences. Through this, you may find a path to understanding and enhancing your wellbeing and embrace the fullness of who you are.”
Start your journey with these six principles of wellbeing
Psychologist, Carol Ryff outlined six principles of psychological wellbeing. These principles form the basis for the book and are discussed with an awareness of the discrimination and microaggressions faced by minority ethnic individuals.
Each chapter offers a reflective space, exercises, observations and challenges to help you open a conversation with yourself and support yourself to thrive emotionally and physically.
Principle 1: Self-acceptance and identity
Self-acceptance is accepting all parts of yourself with a positive attitude and feeling good about your past. Identity can protect you, create a sense of belonging, and build internal pride. It’s constantly evolving through everyday interactions.
This chapter explores ‘race’ and ‘racial identity,’ showing how your identity forms through and across daily interactions in everyday life.
Principle 2: Environmental mastery
Environmental mastery is choosing and creating contexts which suit your personal needs and values.
This chapter reminds you that your individual experiences matter. It’s not about a prescribed experience or some hand-me-down experience that doesn’t suit you.
Principle 3: Positive relations with others
Positive relationships involve trust, empathy, affection and intimacy, and give and take. They should be warm and satisfying where both people are concerned about the welfare of one another.
This chapter supports you to find a way of navigating everyday racism in your relationships within the current social context.
Principle 4: Autonomy
Autonomy means being independent from social pressure to think and act in a certain way; it’s about regulating your behaviour from within – not from the standards of others.
For minority and ethnic people who inhabit a majority white culture, being true to ourselves can be complex and significant.
As we live alongside this culture then choosing and making sense of our values, dreams and beliefs may be an uncomfortable process. It can also bring us into conflict with ourselves and others.
Principle 5: Personal growth
Personal growth means having new experiences and seeing improvements in yourself over time, such as realising your potential or gaining greater self-knowledge.
Racism makes realising your potential a demanding process.
This chapter helps you to consider how you currently react and cope with situations in your life and decide on how you can improve without getting tangled up in other people’s expectations and pressures.
Principle 6: Purpose in life
This chapter helps you to acknowledge the existence and impact of racism without letting it define or limit your existence.
As an individual, you have the autonomy to define goals and a clear sense of direction, finding meaning in both your present and past experiences. You hold beliefs that give your life purpose and have objectives that guide your actions.
Strive to reach beyond the racialised context in which we live and grow into your true self despite everyday racism.
Thanks to Susan for sharing her story.
The sense or experience of non-representation, discrimination or isolation can create barriers for conversations and disclosure of mental health concerns.
While Susan’s experiences explore this from the perspective of race and ethnicity, there are other characteristics and experiences that can also lead to similar feelings. Canopi offers a free and confidential space for people to disclose their mental health concerns in a supported and safe space.
- Find out more about Canopi
- Read more from Susan in her book: Overcoming Everyday Racism: Building Resilience and Wellbeing in the Face of Discrimination and Microaggressions.