Letting go of labels and rediscovering yourself can be one of the most liberating parts of personal growth. As life unfolds, we gather titles and roles that once served us but can quietly limit who we believe ourselves to be. This reflection explores what happens when we begin to release those labels – and rediscover who we truly are beneath them.
As someone with ADHD, I’m never quite sure what to think about labels. It feels quite negative and restrictive. On the other hand, it can help people understand where I might be coming from, which is extremely important to me.
But I think it’s fair to say that labels aren’t just for the neurodivergent. Don’t we all have them?
They start out as helpful little shortcuts – ways to explain who we are, what we do, or how we fit in. Teacher. Parent. Manager. Volunteer. Carer. Partner. Over time, however, labels can stick a little too well. They can begin to define us long after the season that created them has passed. And before we know it, we’ve become a collection of titles that only tell part of our story.
As we grow older, these labels can start to feel heavier. Retired. Empty nester. Widowed. Redundant. Grandparent. Sometimes they bring pride and comfort; sometimes, they quietly shrink the space we have to grow.
In truth, no single word or role can capture the fullness of who you are – especially when you reach an age when you may finally have the time, freedom, and wisdom to explore new possibilities.
In truth, you are not your labels. You are so much more.
When Labels Become Limits
Labels give others a way to recognise us, but they also teach us how to see ourselves. If your label once was “career-driven,” “caregiver,” or “reliable one,” what happens when life shifts and that role changes – or ends?
Many people describe this as a kind of identity wobble. Without the familiar label, it can feel as though the ground beneath your feet has moved. But that space – uncomfortable though it may be – is often the beginning of rediscovery.
Rediscovery isn’t about going backwards or trying to be someone you’re not. It’s about stepping into who you truly are now – without apology or labels that no longer fit.
Real-Life Stories of Rediscovery
Rosie Boycott – From Editor to Food Policy Advocate
Rosie Boycott, once known primarily as a pioneering journalist and newspaper editor, reinvented herself in her 60s. Her passion for food, farming, and sustainability led her to chair London’s Food Board, shaping public policy and awareness around food systems (The Long + Short).
Her story shows how reinvention doesn’t always mean starting over — sometimes it’s about deepening your identity in ways that align more closely with your values and interests.
Eunice O’Neil – Second Chapters and New Beginnings
In her “Second Chapters” interview with Authority Magazine (Medium), Eunice O’Neil describes how she moved from a demanding corporate career into community-based work that felt far more meaningful.
She speaks candidly about the courage it takes to let go of old definitions and to create a life that reflects who you are — not who you used to be.
Esther Rantzen – From Broadcaster to Advocate for Connection
After decades on television, Dame Esther Rantzen shifted her focus from media to social impact, founding The Silver Line, a helpline for older adults experiencing loneliness (Wikipedia). Her story reminds us that the next chapter doesn’t have to be smaller — it can be wiser, deeper, and more purpose-led.
A Business Insider Reinvention – Turning Setbacks into Spark
In a recent Business Insider feature (Business Insider, 2025), a woman in her late 50s shared how breaking her foot — and leaving her business behind — led to a surprising pivot. During recovery, she designed accessories for medical boots, which later grew into a successful PR brand. What could have been a story of loss became one of creative reinvention.
Each of these stories illustrates the same truth: your labels are not fixed. They are chapters — and you are the author.
Why Labels Stick – and Why It’s Time to Peel Them Off
Labels are comforting because they make life tidy. They tell us who we’re supposed to be and what’s expected. But they can also keep us boxed in — replaying an old identity when a new one is waiting to emerge.
If you’ve ever caught yourself saying, “Oh, I’m just…”, or “I used to be…”, notice the quiet limitation in those words. You’re not “just” anything. You’re a whole person – evolving, growing, and writing a new page of your story every day.
Rediscovery begins when you stop introducing yourself by what you were and start exploring who you are becoming, as your true self is given the space to emerge.
A Reflective Exercise: Rewriting Your Labels
Set aside ten quiet minutes and a blank page.
- List all the labels you currently carry. These might be roles (parent, retired, volunteer), characteristics (helpful, sensible, busy), or identities you feel others see in you.
- Circle the ones that still feel true and energising.
- Cross out the ones that feel restrictive, outdated or heavy.
- Now, create new words or phrases that describe who you are – or who you’re becoming.
For example:
- Retired ➜ Curious Explorer
- Carer ➜ Compassionate Connector
- Busy Person ➜ Present and Purposeful
- Reliable One ➜ Boundaried and Free
This isn’t about erasing your past – it’s about updating your self-story, so it fits the person you are today. It’s an important step towards rediscovering your authentic self.
What might the future hold for you?
It’s never too late to let go of old labels and rediscover who you truly are. In fact, later life can be one of the richest, most creative, and most liberating chapters of all.
So instead of “retired”, maybe you’re “rediscovered”. Instead of “used to be”, you’re “becoming”.
Not a label this time – but an invitation to explore what your future could hold.
A Next Step…
If this idea of letting go of old labels and rediscovering your authentic self resonates with you, I’d love to help you explore it further.
Through my Values-Based Coaching, we uncover what truly matters to you – the principles, strengths, and passions that can guide your next chapter with confidence and clarity.
Book a FREE Discovery Call with me for a no-obligation chat about how values coaching can help you live in alignment with who you really are, or find out more about the coaching I offer.
