Part 5/14:
Her experience highlights the concept of identity foreclosure, where one’s self-perception is prematurely and narrowly defined—such as only viewing oneself as a violinist. When that identity is shattered, it can provoke destabilization and grief, not only for the activity lost but for the sense of self tied to it.
However, she discovered that anchoring her sense of purpose and identity to why she loved the violin—human connection—allowed her to find new avenues for fulfillment. She now channels that core value in her work studying human behavior and connections, illustrating how understanding why we do what we do can sustain us through change.