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Do I have to label myself?

47 Answers
Last Updated: 05/18/2020 at 2:47pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United Kingdom
Moderated by

Tanyia Hughes, Adv Dip Psy

Psychotherapist

I have been through a lot in life too, which helps me to be able to empathize with situations, thoughts and feelings that we have. Sometimes, it's not easy just being human.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
May 14th, 2015 2:33am
No, never, you never have to label yourself. Labels never actually mean anything it's like when someone says a cup can only be used as a cup but sometimes it could be used as a bowl, or a holder for a beautiful plant. You make it how you make it a label doesn't control it. If you don't feel comfortable enough with a label then you don't have to label yourself in any shape or form, just do you.
Apanda
December 7th, 2015 9:53pm
Nope! Labels can help people make sense of how they feel or who they are. But if labels don't work for you, you definitely don't have to use them. Just be yourself!
CastleIrwell
November 11th, 2015 8:21pm
In my opinion, you do not have to label yourself. As the saying goes, "labels are for clothes!" Just be who you are and love who you love, and accept yourself and others.
Anonymous
January 12th, 2015 12:56am
No, labeling yourself or not doing so is a personal choice. I find it to be useful to avoid having to explain myself, my emotions, my wants and don't wants to everyone every time the topic is mentioned. It is also helpful to me because it give me a sense of belonging somewhere...of being understood. But it is not an obligation at all :) If you feel happier without a label then go of it! Its all about what works best for you
Anonymous
November 11th, 2015 2:23am
No! Labels can be such an empowerment but not if they are forced. Give yourself time to really figure out what you are feeling and then you'll know.
glowingpeace18339
September 16th, 2015 11:40am
No, of course not! I know labels can be difficult, since they're so hard to live up to. If you know who you are and your identity, that's really all that matters:) You are you, and you're the way you need to be.
NoImaginationY
November 12th, 2015 2:21pm
There is no such need. Sexuality is a spectrum and doesn't have to be something you put in boxes, not to mention that it can be fluid. If you feel you want to label it it's just fine, but if you don't it's just as fine. What matters most is how you feel.
kindheartedSky78
April 12th, 2015 5:56pm
I think we live in a society where labels seem to have importance. However, there is no reason why you have to label yourself if you really do not want to. What do you feel about it?
theflyingtoaster
September 15th, 2015 3:29pm
Labels are ridiculous. You are you. You are exactly who you are meant to be, and not what others say. Just because they label you, doesn't mean you have to call yourself that. You're much more than a simple word. You are outstanding and one-of-a-kind.
Lucent
January 14th, 2015 2:42am
Not if you don't want to. Labels can be convenient for communication, but if you find them stressful or would rather just describe yourself in your own way, there's no reason you have to pick labels to define yourself.
devyn91
December 28th, 2015 3:49pm
Not unless you're comfortable doing so. Labels are simply tools meant to help you express yourself and connect to people with similar experiences.
calmStrawberry15
December 8th, 2015 1:47am
Unlike what most people say, no you don't! You can always just say that you prefer not to label yourself or you are who you are.
warmheartedHuman2014
August 12th, 2015 3:25pm
I don't think you have to label yourself. It depends on if having that label/identity is important to you. I myself don't like labels. I don't like being labeled based off of my race or my sexual orientation. I am just me and the the experience that have shaped me. Just be true to yourself and don't try to fit into the box of any label if it makes you feel uncomfortable.
Anonymous
February 9th, 2016 11:22pm
Not at all.. If you feel people are rushing you to do so try not to worry. We're human. There's nothing to label. Always be yourself. Your own Happiness comes first ❤
yourfabsenpai
May 28th, 2015 12:03am
No, you don't. Labels are names that individuals are comfortable with identifying themselves as. Or society does involuntary labeling with names that it views, suit the individual. Gay, Asian, white, tall, girl, funny, smart, those are all labels. If you're not comfortable describing a certain part of you, then you don't have to. Others may assume labels for you, but you just need to tell them that you don't like being labeled, and hopefully they will listen. How you want to be viewed is up to you.
Gabocha3086
November 23rd, 2015 6:38pm
Labels are the easy way for humans to put you in a category,I think we are more than that, unique...
miaplum
November 27th, 2015 5:35am
Absolutely not. That is, if you're comfortable with it or not. For years I've been worried about my gender and the thought occurred to me that i didn't need to put a label on myself anyway. You're not a product on the shelves, you're a human, you don't need a label.
Oreo
July 20th, 2015 2:37pm
Short answer: No. Long answer: Labels are used by individuals as a means of feeling belongingness or affinity with a certain identity. Some people feel that they tend towards many labels that were previously thought to be contradictory, but is actually possible to coexist. It is your own self, and therefore you get to choose your labels, if you choose to have them at all. The only labels that apply to you are the ones that you choose.
Anonymous
May 18th, 2020 2:47pm
You don't have to label yourself if you don't want to. You're a human being, not a set of labels. If you don't want to put a label or multiple labels on yourself for whatever reason: that's totally fine. It's also completely okay to decide later on that you want to label yourself. The same goes on for when a label doesn't fit you anymore: you can change that. Nobody but you decides which labels you put on yourself en which labels you don't want to put on yourself. Personally I don't label myself very often. Sometimes I use my diagnosis when people ask something about me to explain it. But I don't identificate myself with it, so becides that I'll never use it. I'm also bisexual, but I don't want to label myself that way. Partly because I know everyone around me accepts holebi's and partly because I think mu sexuality is too fluid to put a label on it. But that doesn't mean I never will label myself with these things. So: whether or not you label yourself is your choice. And it's valid.
Anonymous
April 7th, 2015 8:08pm
Absolutely not. Many people prefer not to label themselves and that's perfectly okay. some people might be confused if you don't label yourself because they may think that everyone has to have one but it's just not true.
Brittneym101
May 31st, 2015 6:46am
No you don't have to label yourself. It makes no difference where you came from and who or what you like there is no need for a label. You are who you are and you like what you like. Whether you're Lesbian,Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender etc, either way you're human God still loves you and there is nothing that can and will ever change that.
SamSPN
November 18th, 2015 8:23pm
Of course not. It may make some people feel better about themselves as they have something to identify with, but it isn't necessary whatsoever to label yourself. Give yourself time and just be yourself:)
Chaliercy
July 7th, 2015 12:40pm
Certainly not. Although this is a choice entirely yours, it is not necessary. Many people get harmed because they think labels are needed. The important thing is that you are a person completely equal each other, and you are amazing.
Anonymous
June 23rd, 2015 3:32pm
Absolutely not - you may feel like others pressure you too, like yout need a label to be understood, but if you don't want to label yourself, just don't. Being unlabeled is scary, but it's also freeing.
Emmastylinson21
November 18th, 2015 3:35pm
No! You do not have to label yourself as anything. Let love and attraction come first, and worry about labels later. Maybe one day you'll find a label that suits you best, or maybe not. And that's okay too.
gracefulSunshine62
November 27th, 2015 7:58pm
No! Labels are entirely a personal choice. Labels are there only if you want them. Everyone is their own individual so people that choose a label all fit that label a little differently. You are yourself no matter if you choose a label or not. Neither decision makes your identity any less valid.
SkyeIsThereForYou
July 6th, 2015 6:12pm
To some people it is nice to have something that you can call yourself but sometimes it might hurt, Luke if you called yourself something and then other people started calling you that. It hurts sometime.
littleredx1
April 4th, 2017 9:11pm
Absolutely not! If you are not comfortable labelling yourself in any way, don't! I, for one, never label my sexual identity because I am still trying to figure it out.
Melody293
July 25th, 2016 12:16am
No. Under no circumstance do you ever have to label yourself. Some people like being able to labels themselves, as it helps them to feel a little more self-assured. However, nobody should ever feel the need to label themselves. If your comfortable without one, good for you!
Anonymous
June 21st, 2016 1:37am
Never. Labels mean nothing. Be who you want to be. So what if anyone doesn't like it, you are you and labels are made for now reason.