The Identity Glitch: Why You Keep Returning to a Self You’ve Outgrown

Have you ever felt like you were finally out of an old pattern, only to catch yourself back in it a few days later?

You thought you’d moved on — evolved, expanded, transcended.

But something small triggered you, and suddenly… there you were again. Thinking the same thoughts. Feeling the same emotions. Acting like the old version of you — the one you thought you’d left behind.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. And you're definitely not broken.

You're just experiencing what I call the Identity Glitch.

Let’s talk about why this happens — and how to gently move through it without force, shame, or starting over from scratch.

What Is the Identity Glitch?

The Identity Glitch is what happens when your inner world — your assumptions, beliefs, and self-image — hasn’t fully caught up with your growth. You’ve shifted. You’ve felt the change. Maybe you’ve even seen flashes of a new reality trying to come in.

But something keeps pulling you back.

That “something” is usually a deeply ingrained assumption about who you are — one that’s still playing quietly in the background.

Think of it like updating your phone’s software. You might have installed the update, but unless the old apps are refreshed or deleted, they can still crash the system.

The glitch isn’t a failure. It’s a moment of friction between who you were and who you’re becoming.

Old Assumptions Have Gravity

Neville Goddard said,

“You rise to the level of your assumptions.”

But most of us don’t realize how often our assumptions are running on autopilot.

Especially the ones that formed years ago — based on survival, rejection, family dynamics, or societal pressure.

You may have done all the “right” things:

Visualized your future self

Affirmed your worth

Let go of what no longer serves you

But if the underlying identity — the one that quietly says, “I’m not ready,” or “I always mess this up,” or “This is just how life is for me” — hasn’t been updated… the outer changes will feel fragile. Temporary. Like they can be undone at any moment.

The Identity Glitch is that moment when your system tries to restore the old settings — not because it’s malicious, but because it thinks that version of you is safe.

Your Self-Concept Is the Root of Everything

This is where Law of Assumption becomes powerful.

It tells us that the outer world isn’t happening to us — it’s reflecting from us. More specifically, from the version of ourselves we are being.

Your identity — or “self-concept” — is the foundation of everything. It determines:

What you believe is possible

What you think you’re worthy of

How you react to circumstances

How long your manifestations stick

And that identity isn’t just mental. It’s felt. Assumed. Lived.

It’s the difference between saying, “I’m confident” vs. waking up and not even questioning whether you are.

When your identity changes, your world adjusts accordingly. Not immediately. But consistently, as long as you stop glitching back into the old narrative.

Why Do We Revert?

Because it’s easier. And deeply familiar.

Even if the old self was tired, anxious, or stuck, it was known.

The new self — the confident one, the wealthy one, the loved one — feels like stepping into a new language. One your nervous system hasn’t fully memorized yet.

Also: you may have built friendships, routines, and even coping mechanisms around your old self. Becoming someone new often means rewriting more than just your affirmations. It means letting go of dynamics that were built on your previous struggles.

That’s no small thing.

And your subconscious knows it.

So when you’re tired, or overwhelmed, or unsure — it’s not surprising that the old self steps back in and says, “Let me handle this.”

That’s the glitch. Not because you’re doing anything wrong. But because the new assumptions haven’t been fully stabilized yet.

So What Can You Do About It?

Not fight it. That’s the first thing.

Trying to force your way into a new identity often backfires because force is rooted in fear. And fear belongs to the very self you’re trying to leave behind.

Instead, try this:

Notice it. The moment you catch the glitch — the old thought, the familiar reaction — pause. Witness it like an old movie you’ve seen too many times.

Name it gently. “Ah, this is the version of me who thinks she has to prove her worth. That’s familiar.”

Shift softly. Don’t resist it. Just ask, “What does the new version of me believe right now?” And lean into that.

Practice being. This isn’t about pretending. It’s about practicing — like trying on new clothes until they feel like they’ve always been yours.

Identity Is Not a Final Destination

Here’s the twist: there’s no ultimate self to “arrive” at.

Just like in Deprogramming Desire, our identities are layered — often shaped by conditioning we didn’t choose. But we can choose to release them.

And just like in Sleep With a Purpose, the best shifts often happen when we’re relaxed — not when we’re overthinking or trying to be perfect.

Releasing the glitch doesn’t mean erasing your past. It means gently upgrading the code of who you assume yourself to be. And practicing that, not just when it’s easy — but when it’s tempting to go back.

A Gentle Prompt for You

Next time you feel yourself slipping into old patterns, ask:

✨ “Who am I being right now — and is this version of me aligned with the life I say I want?” ✨

Not to judge.

Just to notice.

And maybe… to choose again.

Because every moment is a chance to align with the version of you who already has it. Already lives it. Already is it.

And trust me — you’ll get there. Glitches and all.

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Two diverging paths