Certified life coach and therapist Raquel Hopkins (@raquel_the_capacity_expert) is making waves online with her candid and thought-provoking reflections on adult development, identity, and self-leadership.
In a recent post titled “Welcome to Adult Development 101,” Hopkins explained how shifting perspective from being subject to experiences to viewing them as objects to manage can create more resilience and peace in daily life.
From “I Am” to “I Have”
Hopkins shared that in earlier stages of her personal journey, she felt fused with her identities: wife, mother, professional, Black woman. Whenever life tested those roles, she felt the full weight directly.
“When you’re subject to something, you can’t step back from it. You’re fused with it,” Hopkins wrote.
She contrasted this with the developmental shift of creating space between the self and the role:
- Subject: “I am this thing.”
- Object: “I have this thing. I’m managing it.”
Hopkins explained that this change doesn’t erase life’s difficulties but gives people the capacity to carry challenges without being consumed by them.
Professional Demands and Human Limits
In an accompanying video transcript, Hopkins addressed professionals across industries – from healthcare workers to teachers – stressing that struggle is not a personality trait, and that burnout often stems from a lack of developmental separation between role and identity.
“All meaningful work is hard. All professions come with weight. That’s why community matters. That’s why development is required. And that’s why identity can’t be attached to a title,” she said.
Broader Implications
Hopkins’ work reflects a growing interest in psychological development frameworks that encourage resilience and leadership, especially in the face of burnout, professional pressure, and identity struggles.
Her message resonates across demographics, offering practical strategies for individuals navigating complex personal and professional roles.
