Pt. 4
Intentionally Building Wellness Into Your Self-Concept
If you are someone who has been struggling with an illness be it physical or mental, then this post is for you. If you are unfamiliar with the term self-concept and how it works I recommend reading the first two articles of this self-concept series to get an understanding. Wellness is something that I am deeply passionate about. Health is not a luxury, it’s the natural way for all living beings, but in today’s world it seems like every other person is suffering from some chronic ailment. I hope to convince you that a healthy life, free of pain and frequent discomfort is possible for you.
Here is what we are going to cover: List of topics
- Wellness as your natural state
- Self-concept and wellness
- Shifting from an “unwell” identity to a thriving one
- Exercises to rebuild self-concept
- Releasing limiting beliefs
- Creating identity-based affirmations
- Small, consistent actions for lasting change
Wellness as Your Natural State
Modern life normalizes stress, sickness, and struggle. We often hear phrases like “Life is hard,” “Stress is unavoidable,”or “Everyone gets sick,” reinforcing the belief that suffering is inevitable. However, wellness is actually our natural state. Given the right support—nourishing food, restful sleep, movement, and emotional balance—our bodies and minds naturally move toward health.
Shifting our perspective is crucial. You are not “fixing” yourself; you are returning to your natural state. The key to making this shift is identifying as someone who is already healed, growing, and thriving. Instead of seeing wellness as something to chase, embrace it as something inherently within you.
The Power of Self-Concept in Wellness
Your identity shapes your reality. If you see yourself as someone who constantly struggles with health, stress, or emotional balance, your actions and experiences will reflect that belief. Your subconscious mind seeks to prove your identity correct, reinforcing patterns that align with your self-concept.
However, the opposite is also true. When you shift your identity to one of wellness, your choices begin to align with that belief. Saying, “I am someone who takes care of my body,” influences how you eat, move, and rest. Saying, “I am someone who listens to and supports my mind,” encourages self-awareness and emotional regulation. Saying, “I am someone who is healing,” opens the door to resilience and self-compassion.
Shifting from an “Unwell” Identity to a “Healing” or “Thriving” Identity
Rather than identifying as someone who is always sick, anxious, or exhausted, start seeing yourself as someone who is healthy, calm, and energized. Becoming conscious of wellness as your state of being will eventually lead to you feeling it to be true. I’ll explain this further in the next post, but for now, just know that you must bring your attention to being the healthy version of yourself—actively healing and becoming stronger each day. Your words and thoughts hold immense power.
For example, instead of saying, “I always struggle with my mental health,” shift to, “I am learning new ways to support my mind and emotions each day.” Instead of thinking, “I have chronic pain and there’s nothing I can do,” try, “I am exploring ways to bring relief and ease to my body.”
This shift isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about opening a door for possibility and embracing the idea that healing and growth are happening right now.
Practical Exercises to Rebuild Self-Concept for Wellness
To support this identity shift, integrate these practical exercises into your daily routine.
Journaling Prompts
Here are a few key questions to begin reflecting on:
- What does wellness mean to me?
- What are some beliefs I currently have about my health?
- What do I say or think every time I experience symptoms?
- How do I feel about my health? Am I optimistic or pessimistic about my outlook?
- If I fully embraced my natural state of wellness, how would I feel and act differently?
Being honest with yourself about these reflections is essential. Awareness is the first step toward change. As you practice daily presence, you’ll become more skilled at catching old, limiting thoughts and replacing them with supportive ones. This process begins with your choice—the choice to be present, to shift your mindset, and to believe in your capacity for healing.
Click Here for the full list of wellness journaling prompts
Identifying and Releasing Limiting Beliefs
Many of us carry unconscious beliefs that reinforce an unwell identity, such as “I will always be this way” or “My family has always struggled with health, so I will too.” Challenge these thoughts by asking:
- What if this belief isn’t true?
- What if I could rewrite my story?
- What small evidence do I have that contradicts this belief?
Scientific research in epigenetics supports the idea that our environment, lifestyle, and mindset significantly impact gene expression. Studies indicate that positive behavioral changes—such as stress reduction, nutrition, and mental reframing—can activate health-promoting genes while suppressing those linked to illness. For further reading, consider these sources:
- Harvard Health Publishing: Epigenetics & Lifestyle Impact
- National Institutes of Health: Gene Expression & Lifestyle Factors
Crafting Identity-Based Affirmations
Affirmations work best when they reinforce identity rather than wishful thinking. Instead of saying, “I want to be healthy,” say, “I am someone who honors and supports my well-being daily.”
More Examples:
- “I am someone who prioritizes nourishment and movement.”
- “I am someone who respects my body’s need for rest and recovery.”
- “I am someone who cultivates mental clarity and emotional balance.”
By consistently affirming these statements with feeling, your mind begins to accept them as reality, influencing your behavior and choices.
The Role of Small, Identity-Driven Actions
Shifting self-concept isn’t just about thinking differently—it’s about feeling different. Feelings are impulses that lead to taking action. Identity becomes more real when backed by consistent behaviors, even small ones.
For example, if you want to see yourself as someone with mental clarity, start a simple breath-work practice or take a few minutes each day to journal. If you want to identify as someone who is physically strong, commit to stretching or light movement daily, even if it’s just a short walk. These small choices reinforce the belief that you are a person who takes care of yourself.
The key is consistency. Tiny, manageable actions taken daily are more powerful than large, sporadic efforts. Over time, they build an undeniable sense of identity and momentum. I recommend that you place your awareness on your actions as it will strengthen your feelings which make it solidify in your circuitry. All of it, the thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and behaviors, come together and reinforce each other until you manifest wellness.
Up Next
As your self-concept shifts, your reality starts responding in kind. This is where manifestation comes in—not as wishful thinking, but as a natural reflection of inner transformation. When you truly identify as someone who is thriving, the choices, opportunities, and experiences in your life begin to align with that truth.
In our next post, we will explore how this process extends beyond wellness into manifestation. When you embody the identity of someone who is well, successful, and fulfilled, life begins to shape itself around that belief. Stay tuned to discover how aligning your self-concept with your desires can create powerful change in your life. What possibilities open up for you when you fully embrace this shift?