[[Waterman, Alan - 1984 - Identity Formation - Discovery or Creation|alan waterman]] defines identity as a “clearly delineated self-definition comprised of those goals, values, and beliefs to which the person is unequivocally committed”. in other words, *identity* is a firm grasp of the broad elements that make up our sense-of-self. although I think Waterman’s elements are too limited to comprise a complete rendering of identity, the concept of self as a *self-definition* is helpful framing. **identity is whatever we use to corral our sense-of-self into something we can, or can nearly, articulate.** some of this is explicable – those goals, values, beliefs, preferences, narratives – while others are more nebulous, making up something like the *essence* of ourselves. >[!note] on *daimon* >waterman references something similar with the concept of *daimon*, or “true self”, referring to one’s potential, and one’s obligation to live in accordance with it. this is a helpful idea, but i’m referring less to character or purpose and more to one’s. . . *je ne sais quoi*. [[{1.1b} a strong sense of identity comes from a well-developed self-definition]] and this self-definition has to be aligned with one’s experience in the world to maintain a [[{1.1c} a strong sense of identity requires a sense of continuity|{1.1a} state of continuity]] over time. >[!trailhead]- trails >⬇️ [[{1.1a} it's unclear whether identity is discovered or created]] >⬇️ [[{1.1b} a strong sense of identity comes from a well-developed self-definition]] >⬇️ [[{1.1c} a strong sense of identity requires a sense of continuity]] > >➡️ [[{1.3} partitioning, performing, and projecting]]