Identity-crises post deconstruction. Anyone else?
Anyone gone through a bit of an identity crises post deconstruction?
I think something that was said in Shiny Happy People helped myself re-remember what some of my ongoing identity issues come from.
I attended Mega Churches and volunteer recruitment is so real. You have to choose where you volunteer. It can become a big way to feel like you have meaning. I remember my church having pictures and video of teens planting a flag for God. Claiming territory.. We were on a mission. Each one of us needed to learn what part of God's army we were called to serve in. You're a teenager entering youth group and soon to be set on a mission from God.
For me, that was music. I started playing guitar when I was 13 and when I ended up in youth group I wanted to be like the other cool kids and play music. Made me feel popular lol. And that was that. I played in Mega Churches until I was 27 years old. Most of that time I was convinced I was doing something greater then myself and I also wanted to pursue guitar as a source for income eventually.
Story short.. I went back to school for IT, graduated and moved out of state. My Deconstruction was accelerating and I wanted out of FL. COVID hit, I didnt connect at Churches and that meant I didnt have a place to play. Got busy with my career, started new hobbies, instruments collected dust... Then attended more progressive churches for a few years, but now I am Church-less. I really don't play music anymore, very rusty. Between my career, being, married and other hobbies like plants, tea, and cycling, I don't make time for consistently practicing an instrument.
Then came double concussions (3 months apart) which has lead to a 6+ month recovery. Completely isolating experience that has been the hardest thing I have been through tbh. Getting the Dr and PT help I need and soon starting therapy with someone who has experience with people going through concussion/tbi recovery. My last therapist didn't fully grasp what I was going through, but he has been good in other ways.
Identity issues are normal experiences after a concussion so now I am dealing with that on top of the normal identity issues after leaving major beliefs.
I don't share for pitty, I share because maybe others have experience identity issues and I wonder what has helped you?
Posted Aug 3, 2025, 2:53 PM UTC