Why I Reclaimed My Identity Beyond Work - And Why You Should Too

What happens when the thing you’ve built your identity around disappears?

For years, I poured everything into my career. Like so many high-achieving women—especially Black women who have fought to claim space in rooms not built for us—my work became more than just what I did. It became who I was. Success, promotions, influence, and recognition validated my sacrifices. And because I often had to work twice as hard to be seen, I unconsciously tethered my sense of self to my professional achievements.

But what if I told you that this is a risky foundation? That the titles, the status, the wins, the pursuit of excellence —while meaningful—were never meant to hold the full weight of who you are?

The Risk of Overidentifying with Work

When your identity is rooted in your career, every professional setback feels personal. A layoff becomes a loss of self-worth. A missed promotion feels like failure. Negative feedback brings your worth up for debate. The moment work stops validating you, an unsettling question surfaces: Who am I without this?

I know this because I’ve felt it.

We’ve been conditioned to believe that our value is measured by productivity, by how much we accomplish, by how indispensable we are. For many Black women, there’s an added layer—being the “only” or what I call the ‘one and lonely’ in the room, proving our brilliance against doubters, navigating microaggressions while excelling. We grind, hustle, achieve, and keep showing up. But at what cost?

If our identity is solely linked to our careers, we risk burnout, disillusionment, and an internalized belief that we are only as good as our last success.

How I Reclaimed My Identity - And What Opened Up

At some point, I had to ask myself: Who am I beyond my work?

When I untangled my self-worth from my job title, I realized something profound: work is just one part of me, not the whole of me.? And when I let go of that pressure, an entire world of possibility opened up.

I won’t pretend that I have all of this figured out myself.? There are still moments when I slip into my corporate persona, when I instinctively tie my worth to my achievements. But I recognize that this is an ongoing journey.??

• I reclaimed my joy. I began to see that my passions, relationships, rest, and creativity were just as valuable as my professional milestones.
• I navigated change with more ease. Because my worth wasn’t tied to a single role, I could pivot, take risks, and step away from environments that no longer served me—without feeling like I was losing myself.
• ?I led with authenticity. I showed up as my full, multifaceted self, rather than just a “professional.” And in doing so, I connected more deeply, built trust, and led with greater impact.

?It has taken me years to unlearn old narratives, and I continue to rewrite them.

So, Who Are You Beyond the Job?

Your brilliance isn’t in the title. It isn’t in the paycheck or the influence or the next big opportunity. It’s in the way you think, the way you move through the world, the way you show up for yourself and others.? It’s in your being, not just the doing.?

If your career ended tomorrow, who would you be?

That version of you—the one that exists beyond the accolades—is worth cultivating, nurturing, and celebrating.

Because when you no longer feel the pressure to prove your worth through work, you step into something far greater: a life that belongs fully to you.

A Thought to Leave You With:

What’s one passion, practice, or relationship that brings you joy beyond work? Lean into that—because your brilliance isn’t tied to a title.?

Your job is what you do, not who you are.?

Ready to Rediscover Who You Are Beyond the Title?

If this resonates with you and you're ready to explore who you are beyond your career, let's connect. At Brilliant Colours, we help Black women redefine success on their own terms. Whether you’re navigating a career transition or feeling stuck, I’m here to support you.

Your brilliance deserves to shine in every area of your life.

Rachel Baptiste is CEO of Lumen Consulting Group Inc. and an executive coach dedicated to transforming the narrative for Black women in corporate spaces into one of authenticity, purpose, and empowerment at every stage of their leadership journey. She is partnering with allies to take meaningful actions to foster cultures and systems where diversity truly thrives. Join her on this transformative mission.