The language we use plays an important role in how we view ourselves.
I often hear my clients say, “I am obese” or “I am diabetic”. These clients have unknowingly defined themselves by their illness. Even colleagues may refer to clients as “obese” or “diabetics”. It is disheartening and demoralizing.
If we broke an arm, we would never say “I am a broken arm”. But when we feel depressed, we tend to say: “I am depressed” instead of “I have depression”.
Instead of using such language, we can choose to say “I have diabetes” or “I have obesity”.
While this may seem like an insignificant change, I believe it is an impactful way to empower ourselves in managing our health conditions.
The next time you catch yourself defining yourself or someone else as their condition, notice it, and try the new phrases.
Our diseases do not define us.