Written by Online therapist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

I AM JUST…

Identity, Health, and the Power of Self-Valuation

How we finish the sentence “I am just…” reveals more than mood—it reflects our values. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how self-perception, physical health, and societal patterns intersect, and why early intervention and self-worth matter.

How did you finish that sentence?
What verb came to mind…tired?…delighted?…done?…content?

I could go on and on. By now, I hope you have completed the sentence for yourself. Take that response and grab a piece of paper or crayon, if you wish. Think about where your mind went to complete that sentence. The choices are broad.

Were you focused on yourself? Perhaps you are coping with some physical concerns, and your mind would naturally go to how you feel about the things happening in your body. Our body is an especially important vessel. So far, this is the only one that we get. Oh, we can replace certain parts, and thanks to research with pigs, the number of those parts might be increasing. But right now, we are supposed to be caring for this vessel. Look around! We are doing a poor job of caring for our bodies. Obesity rates continue to increase year after year. According to data from 2020, the obesity rate in America was over 40%. Take a breath and read that again. Over 40% of the adults in America were rated as obese in 2020. Our bodies, the only ones that we get, are under attack. The attacker? Us!

Here we are, five years later. Do you think the obesity rate is declining or climbing? Yep! Climbing at an ever more rapid rate. What are we doing? Why would we do this to ourselves? What is the cost of this climb? Obesity is a medical condition that draws resources from medicine daily. According to data from 2019, obesity-related medical services cost around $173 billion. Imagine what we might do with those funds if obesity were not an issue. Where would you have your country use that money?

We could turn this around. If we just…
How would you complete that sentence?

We would have to increase our value to educate our population and change our access to different food and drink. Yes, you heard that right. If we valued ourselves, the problem would disappear. How would we initiate this? When? Changing a population is a gargantuan task. Maybe it is possible, and perhaps it is not. But the place to begin is Daycare. Surprised? Maybe. Getting hooked on sugar and sweets starts early. No one wants broccoli as a reward! Diet and exercise are key to staying healthy. Exercise is no problem for a toddler given the freedom to explore. They are motion machines! That is if we remove the screens and let them move. In Daycare and preschool, we tend to provide environments that encourage movement and action while learning. Not long ago, certain forward-thinking companies redesigned their office spaces to offer places for action and exercise and physical games and challenges. Work productivity soared rather than crashed. We are all still toddlers and know that the combination of movement, thought, and creativity is a game-changer.

Want to explore how self-perception and early intervention shape health outcomes? Visit Stanford Social Innovation Review’s guide to inner well-being and social change, Your Dreamy Land’s reflections on self-awareness and societal health, and Aaron Hall’s journey of self-reflection and purpose.

If you’re reflecting on identity, health, or emotional growth, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support insight, healing, and self-worth.