Identity Archaeology: 5 Models to understand Self
- Lay Jordan
- May 9
- 9 min read
Have you ever wondered how you came to be who you are today? Our sense of identity - made from beliefs, behaviors, and values - often feels fixed and unchangeable. Yet when we pause to examine it closely, questions emerge: How much of who we are was chosen by us, and how much was shaped by our environment? What lies beneath the surface of our everyday personality? And how can understanding these deeper layers help us live more authentically? "Self Deconstruction and Rediscovery" is a theme I’ve been exploring, and I want to share various ways to understand and rebuild our sense of self.
Episode 47 of A Little Atypical focused on the process of identity work and self-deconstruction. Before diving into these frameworks, I encourage you to listen to Episode 47 of the podcast through the links below, as it provides valuable context and personal insights that will enhance your understanding of these models.
Episode No. 47
Where to listen:
Now for the bonus content, I wanted to share five frameworks that can help us examine and understand our self-concept more deeply. These models, drawn from different cultures, traditions, and schools of psychological thought, each offer unique tools for self-exploration and understanding. Self-concept is not a one-size-fits-all all and choosing the right model for yourself can enhance your personal practice.
1. The Seven Bodies Model
Originally stemming from ancient esoteric and yogic traditions, this model emerged from Eastern spiritual practices thousands of years ago. It provides a comprehensive map of human consciousness that extends beyond physical existence:
Physical Body - The tangible form we inhabit, including our organs, bones, and tissues
Etheric Body - Also known as the vital body in some traditions, it governs our life force and energy patterns
Astral Body - Connected to our emotional landscape and creative expression
Mental Body - Houses our analytical thinking, beliefs, and thought patterns
Spiritual Body - Represents our intuitive wisdom and higher understanding
Cosmic Body - Connects us to universal consciousness and collective wisdom
Nirvanic Body - The highest state of consciousness, representing complete enlightenment
Understanding these distinct yet interconnected layers helps us recognize how different aspects of our identity influence each other. Self-concept isn't just about our thoughts and beliefs - it's shaped by our physical experiences, emotional patterns, and deeper spiritual understanding. For example, when we feel physically strong and capable (Physical Body), it often enhances our self-image and confidence (Mental Body). Similarly, emotional work (Astral Body) can shift our self-perception and relationships with others. Through practices like meditation and self-reflection, we can access deeper layers of self-awareness (Spiritual and Cosmic Bodies), helping us understand our authentic nature beyond societal conditioning.
This model suggests that developing a complete sense of self requires exploring all these dimensions - from our basic physical self-image to our highest spiritual potential. By nurturing each aspect of our being, we can build a more integrated and authentic self-concept, leading to more meaningful personal growth and self-understanding.
2. Three Layers of Identity
Developed by modern psychologists and identity researchers, this framework helps us understand how our identity forms through internal and external influences:
Core Identity - The authentic self that exists from early childhood, including innate temperament and fundamental values
Learned Identity - Shaped by our experiences, culture, and social conditioning throughout life
Presented Identity - The conscious choices we make about self-presentation, varying by context and audience
Exploring our Core Identity through self-reflection and mindfulness practices helps us uncover our authentic values, strengths, and natural tendencies that form the foundation of who we are. When we examine our Learned Identity, we can better understand how our experiences, relationships, and environment have shaped our self-concept, allowing us to consciously choose which learned patterns support our personal growth and which ones limit our potential. The Presented Identity becomes a tool for authentic self-expression rather than just adaptation - we can strategically show different aspects of ourselves while maintaining integrity with our core values.
This framework is valuable for personal development as it helps us identify gaps between who we truly are and how we show up in the world. By working to align these three layers, we create a more integrated and authentic self-concept that supports our ongoing growth and well-being.
3. Freud's Structural Model of the Psyche
Developed in the 1920s, Freud's groundbreaking model revolutionized our understanding of human consciousness and behavior. His theory suggests that our psyche operates on multiple levels:
Id - The unconscious, primitive mind present from birth, seeking immediate gratification
Ego - Develops in early childhood to help us navigate reality and social demands
Superego - Forms during childhood through parental and societal influence, representing our moral compass
Understanding Freud's model offers powerful tools for personal development by revealing how different parts of our identity interact and influence our behavior. When we become aware of our Id's unconscious drives and desires, we can better understand our core motivations and natural inclinations - the raw material of who we are. The Ego helps us recognize how we've learned to express our authentic self in the world, showing us which adaptations serve our growth and which hold us back. Meanwhile, exploring our Superego illuminates how our values and self-judgments have been shaped, helping us distinguish between authentic personal ethics and internalized expectations from others.
This framework is valuable for identity work because it helps us identify where our self-concept may be overly rigid or influenced by others. By understanding these three aspects of ourselves, we can begin to consciously reshape our identity, honoring our fundamental nature while developing healthier ways to express ourselves and align with our true values. The goal isn't to eliminate any part but to create a more integrated sense of self where our authentic nature, practical capabilities, and personal values work in harmony.
4. Jung's Layers of Self
Building on Freud's work in the early 20th century, Jung developed a more spiritually-oriented model that emphasizes the role of archetypes and collective human experience:
Persona - Our social mask, developed to meet society's expectations and navigate different social contexts
Ego - The center of consciousness, coordinating our experiences and sense of identity
Shadow Self - Contains repressed aspects of ourselves that we need to acknowledge for wholeness
Collective Unconscious - A shared psychological inheritance containing universal human experiences and archetypes
The Persona shows how we've learned to present ourselves - examining these patterns can reveal whether our self-presentation aligns with our authentic identity or merely reflects societal expectations. Through understanding our Ego, we can better recognize how we construct our self-image and set healthier boundaries. The Shadow Self contains aspects of our identity we've rejected or hidden - acknowledging these parts can lead to a more complete self-acceptance and personal growth. Lastly, the Collective Unconscious connects our identity work to universal human experiences, helping us understand how our self-concept fits within larger patterns of human development. By working with these layers, we can develop a more authentic and integrated sense of who we are, leading to more meaningful personal transformation.
5. Buddhist Five Aggregates (Skandhas)
Dating back 2,500 years to the teachings of Buddha, this sophisticated model examines how our experience of self is constructed moment by moment:
Form (Rupa) - The physical world and our sensory experiences, forming the foundation of consciousness
Sensation (Vedana) - Our immediate, pre-cognitive responses to experience (pleasant, unpleasant, neutral)
Perception (Samjna) - How we recognize and categorize our experiences based on past conditioning
Mental Formations (Samskara) - Our habits, thoughts, and volitional actions that shape our karma
Consciousness (Vijnana) - The awareness that ties all other aggregates together, creating our sense of continuous self
Through Form (Rupa), we can explore how our physical presence and environment influence our identity, from our body image to our relationship with space. Sensation (Vedana) reveals our instinctive emotional responses, helping us understand our natural tendencies and reactions before they become part of our self-narrative. By examining Perception (Samjna), we can uncover how our past experiences and interpretations have shaped our current self-image, identifying where we might hold limiting beliefs about ourselves. Mental Formations (Samskara) allow us to recognize and transform the habitual patterns that define our personality and behavior, while Consciousness (Vijnana) helps us maintain awareness of how all these elements combine to create our sense of self. This framework is powerful for personal growth as it encourages us to observe and intentionally shape the building blocks of our identity, rather than accepting our self-concept as fixed or unchangeable.
Deconstructing the Self
Self-deconstruction is not about dismantling who we are, but rather about understanding the intricate layers that form our identity. By examining our self-concept through these different frameworks, we can begin to distinguish between our authentic core and the adaptations we've developed over time. This process allows us to identify which aspects of our identity serve our growth and which ones may be limiting our potential. The ultimate goal is not to arrive at a fixed understanding of self, but to develop a more fluid, authentic, and integrated way of being.
These models offer complementary tools for this exploration. They help us recognize inherited patterns and conscious choices in our identity formation, distinguish between authentic expressions and social adaptations, understand the dynamic interplay between different aspects of self, and create space for growth and transformation.
Through examination and understanding of our multiple layers of identity, we can move toward a more authentic expression of self while maintaining the adaptability needed to navigate our complex social world.
I hope you enjoyed this post and found it interesting. Also, if you like my content,t it would mean the world to me if you would also subscribe to my YouTube channel, my Pinterest, and my TikTok account. On YouTube, I have the most inspirational content from Lifestyle Design posts to Digital "open when..." letters to boost your mood. I also keep a copy of my podcast episodes (which is also available on Spotify). I decided that I am honoring what feels right to me and continuously working on building the life of my dreams and helping others do the same. Don’t forget to share this if you feel inspired, and I will have more content for you soon.
Until next time butterflies 🦋 Sincerely yours
Xoxo,
Lay 💋
Episode Description:
In this thought-provoking episode of A Little Atypical, we dive deep into the complex process of identity work and self-deconstruction. Moving beyond the superficial "glow up" trends of 2025, we explore why identity transformation content often oversimplifies what should be a nuanced journey. Learn about the importance of examining your beliefs, understanding behavioral patterns, and discovering your authentic self through conscious choice rather than conditioning.
Key Topics Covered:
Understanding self-deconstruction and its philosophical roots
The difference between surface-level change and deeper identity work
Personal insights and experiences with identity transformation
Practical journal prompts for self-reflection
Plus: Special oracle card reading focusing on spring renewal and creating clear spaces, both physically and mentally. Don't miss the announcement about our new posting schedule!
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Music by Remil - Evening Tea - https://thmatc.co/?l=DFECB5D4
Section | Timestamp | Notes |
Introduction: The Identity Transformation Trend | 00:00 | Highlights:
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Understanding Self-Deconstruction | 03:36 | Highlights:
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Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery: A Deep Dive into Identity Work | 10:33 | Highlights:
Stay tuned for next week's episodes, where we'll explore the art of letting go and practical steps for identity transformation. |
Card Pull | 13:46 | Self Care Oracle Deck 9.Clean your space. |
What I'm grateful for | 15:52 | I am truly grateful for the way this podcast expanded this year and I hope to keep putting in my best effort for this community |
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