00: Quote — Identinty Master

“Your addiction is not your identity, but you won't know that until you're in recovery; that's when the two separate.” — Toni Sorenson

Consider that your addiction may be part of the identity you've constructed for yourself, which can make it difficult to break free from old patterns and experience new possibilities. Allow this simulation to guide you in transcending those limitations by connecting with a deeper sense of self that goes beyond addiction, identity and the addictive identities you’ve imposed on yourself.

Question 1: Where in your life are you experiencing addiction? For example, is there one specific behavior or activity that has become a compulsive habit that limits your ability to thrive?

1. What aspects of your life are being impacted by addictive behaviors? Maybe it's a particular substance or activity that you can't seem to resist, or perhaps it's a pattern of behavior that is holding you back from achieving your goals.
2. Is there a particular behavior or substance that you find yourself obsessing over or turning to when you're stressed or anxious? This could be a sign of addiction and may be worth exploring further.
3. Have you noticed that you have a compulsive need to engage in a specific activity, such as exercise or social media use? This could be a sign of addiction and may be worth examining more closely.
4. Are there any behaviors or habits that you feel you can't control or that are negatively impacting your life? These could be signs of addiction and may be worth exploring further.
5. Is there a specific behavior or substance that you feel you can't live without, even if it's causing harm to your health or relationships? This could be a sign of addiction and may be worth examining further.
6. Do you find yourself regularly turning to a particular behavior or substance in order to cope with difficult emotions or situations? This could be a sign of addiction and may be worth exploring further.
7. Are there any habits or behaviors that you feel are holding you back from reaching your full potential, such as excessive drinking or gambling? These could be signs of addiction and may be worth examining more closely.
8. Have you noticed that a specific behavior or substance has begun to take over your life, interfering with your ability to work, socialize, or enjoy your hobbies? This could be a sign of addiction and may be worth exploring further.
9. Is there one specific habit or behavior that you feel you need to change in order to live a healthier, happier life? This could be a sign of addiction and may be worth examining more closely
10. What is the one specific behaviour or habit that you struggle to control, despite its negative impact on your life? Remember that acknowledging your struggles is the first step towards overcoming them.

Question 2: In what ways does the addiction or habit you struggle with contribute to your sense of self? If you have an addiction to prescription painkillers, for instance, you might identify as a "chronic pain sufferer" that legitimizes the constant use of the drug.

1. How does the addiction or habit you struggle with shape the identity you have constructed for yourself? For example, if you frequently engage in binge drinking, you may have constructed an identity as a "party animal" that limits your ability to form deeper, more meaningful relationships.
2. What labels have you assigned to yourself based on your addiction or habit? For instance, if you regularly overspend, you may have constructed an identity as a "shopaholic" that perpetuates your destructive behaviour.
3. How has your addiction or habit become an integral part of your self-identity? If you smoke cigarettes, for example, you may have constructed an identity as a "rebel" or "outsider" that prevents you from connecting with others on a deeper level.
4. What identity have you created around your addiction or habit, and how does it limit your personal growth? For instance, if you have a compulsive need to constantly check your phone, you may have constructed an identity as a "tech addict" that limits your ability to focus on other aspects of your life.
5. In what ways does your addiction or habit define who you are, and how can you break free from this limiting self-identity? For example, if you frequently engage in emotional eating, you may have constructed an identity as a "foodie" or "comfort eater" that hinders your ability to adopt healthier habits.
6. What labels have you attached to yourself based on your addiction or habit, and how do they shape your self-perception? If you struggle with porn addiction, for instance, you may have constructed an identity as a "sexual deviant" that prevents you from exploring your true desires and connecting with others on a deeper level.
7. How has your addiction or habit become intertwined with your sense of self, and what labels have you assigned to yourself based on this behaviour? If you have a gambling problem, for example, you may have constructed an identity as a "risk-taker" that limits your ability to manage your finances and build a stable future.
8. What self-identity have you created around your addiction or habit, and how can you shift this to one that is more empowering? For instance, if you struggle with social media addiction, you may have constructed an identity as a "follower" or "influencer" that prevents you from pursuing your true passions and interests.
9. How has your addiction or habit become a part of your personal narrative, and what labels have you assigned to yourself based on this behaviour? If you have a habit of overworking, for example, you may have constructed an identity as a "workaholic" that prevents you from enjoying life outside of work.
10. What labels have you assigned to yourself based on your addiction or habit, and how do they shape your sense of self? If you struggle with substance abuse, for instance, you may have constructed an identity as a "junkie" or "addict" that perpetuates feelings of shame and inadequacy.

Question 3: What are you doing, having and being in this area? For instance, if you identify as a workaholic, what are the specific actions you take, what are the results of this behavior, and what is the state of being that sums your emotional experience?

1. What are you doing, having and being in this area? For instance, if you consider yourself a perfectionist, what actions are you taking (ie. obsessing over details), what results are you experiencing (ie. missed deadlines), and what is your way of being in this area of life (ie. anxious)?
2. What are you doing, having and being in this area? Suppose you identify as a procrastinator, what actions do you take (ie. putting things off until the last minute), what are the outcomes of this behavior (ie. rushing to complete tasks), and what is your way of being in this area of life (ie. stressed)?
3. What are you doing, having and being in this area? For example, if you label yourself as a control freak, what actions are you taking (ie. micromanaging), what results are you experiencing (ie. strained relationships), and what is your way of being in this area of life (ie. rigid)?
4. What are you doing, having and being in this area? If you consider yourself a people pleaser, what actions are you taking (ie. avoiding conflict), what results are you experiencing (ie. resentment from others), and what is your way of being in this area of life (ie. exhausted)?
5. What are you doing, having and being in this area? For instance, if you identify as a workaholic, what actions do you take (ie. working long hours), what are the outcomes of this behavior (ie. neglecting personal relationships), and what is your way of being in this area of life (ie. disconnected)?
6. What are you doing, having and being in this area? For example, if you identify as a hoarder, what actions are you taking (ie. accumulating possessions), what results are you experiencing (ie. cluttered living space), and what is your way of being in this area of life (ie. attached)?
7. What are you doing, having and being in this area? For instance, if you identify as a social media addict, what actions are you taking (i.e. constantly checking your phone), what results are you experiencing (i.e. neglecting face-to-face interactions), and what is your way of being in this area of life (i.e. empty)?
8. What are you doing, having and being in this area? For instance, if you identify as a shopaholic, what actions are you taking (i.e. impulse buying), what results are you experiencing (i.e. financial debt), and what is your way of being in this area of life (i.e. stressed)?
9. What are you doing, having and being in this area? For instance, if you consider yourself a sexual deviant, what actions are you taking (e.g. excessive porn consumption), what results are you experiencing (e.g. feelings of guilt and shame), and what is your way of being in this area of life (e.g. defeated)?
10. What are you doing, having and being in this area? For example, if you struggle with comfort eating, what actions are you taking (e.g. binge eating), what results are you experiencing (e.g. weight gain and poor health), and what is your way of being in this area of life (e.g. depressed)?

Question 4: What are you not doing, having and being in this area that is missing? For example, if you identity as lazy and struggle with time management, what actions are you not taking (e.g. prioritizing tasks), what results are you not experiencing (e.g. completing projects on time), and what way of being are you not being in this area of life (e.g. organized)?

1. What are you not doing, having and being in this area that is missing? If you identify as a party animal and struggle with drinking too much, what actions are you not taking (e.g. pacing yourself), what results are you not experiencing (e.g. feeling in control), and what way of being are you not being in this area of life (e.g. moderate)?
2. What are you not doing, having and being in this area that is missing? If you identify as a workaholic and struggle with taking breaks, what actions are you not taking (e.g. going on vacation), what results are you not experiencing (e.g. reduced stress), and what way of being are you not being in this area of life (e.g. relaxed)?
3. What are you not doing, having and being in this area that is missing? If you identify as a perfectionist and struggle with accepting mistakes, what actions are you not taking (e.g. admitting faults), what results are you not experiencing (e.g. learning and growth), and what way of being are you not being in this area of life (e.g. humble)?
4. What are you not doing, having and being in this area that is missing? If you identify as a shopaholic and struggle with overspending, what actions are you not taking (e.g. budgeting), what results are you not experiencing (e.g. financial stability), and what way of being are you not being in this area of life (e.g. content)?
5. What are you not doing, having and being in this area that is missing? If you identify as a people-pleaser and struggle with setting boundaries, what actions are you not taking (e.g. saying "no"), what results are you not experiencing (e.g. respect from others), and what way of being are you not being in this area of life (e.g. assertive)?
6. What are you not doing, having and being in this area that is missing? If you identify as a smoker and struggle with quitting, what actions are you not taking (e.g. seeking support), what results are you not experiencing (e.g. improved health), and what way of being are you not being in this area of life (e.g. healthy)?
7. What are you not doing, having and being in this area that is missing? If you identify as a procrastinator and struggle with time management, what actions are you not taking (e.g. setting priorities), what results are you not experiencing (e.g. productivity), and what way of being are you not being in this area of life (e.g. organized)?
8. What are you not doing, having and being in this area that is missing? If you identify as a comfort eater and struggle with emotional eating, what actions are you not taking (e.g. finding time to meditate), what results are you not experiencing (e.g. improved mood), and what way of being are you not being in this area of life (e.g. balanced)?
9. What are you not doing, having and being in this area that is missing? If you identify as a stress eater and struggle with maintaining a healthy diet, what actions are you not taking (e.g. meal planning), what results are you not experiencing (e.g. feeling energized), and what way of being are you not being in this area of life (e.g. disciplined)?
10. What are you not doing, having and being in this area that is missing? If you identify as a commitment-phobe and struggle with opening up to your partner, what actions are you not taking (e.g. expressing your feelings), what results are you not experiencing (e.g. deeper intimacy), and what way of being are you not being in this area of life (e.g. vulnerable)?

Question 5: What possibility would you love to experience instead? Great. Close down your eyes.

Question 6: Go a moment or place where this possibility is alive and real. Where are we? Paint the picture. Tell me everything and everyone you hear, smell, feel and see.

1. Close your eyes and imagine a moment or place where this possibility is alive and present. Describe the environment in vivid detail, using your senses to bring the scene to life and feel the scene in your body.
2. Walk me through a moment or location where this possibility is unfolding in real-time. Describe everything you see, hear, smell, and feel, using rich and detailed language to bring the scene to life.
3. Picture a moment or place where this possibility is manifesting itself in full force. Use your words to create a multisensory experience for me, capturing every detail of the environment around you.
4. Can you take me to a moment or place where this possibility is thriving and flourishing? Describe everything you see, hear, smell, and touch in order to help me fully immerse myself in that world
5. Can you envision a time or space where this possibility is fully realized? Help yourself see and feel it too by describing the sights, sounds, smells, and physical sensations you encounter in that moment or place.
6. Let's journey to a time or location where you fully experience this possibility. Use your words to transport me there by painting a vivid picture of your surroundings and any of the people around you.