What Boxes Define You?

“I thought I’d figured out boxes early in life. From the anticipation of the puppet leaping out of my wind-up jack in the box to constructing castles from oversized cardboard containers, I thought I understood their boundaries. Yet, as life unfolded, I realized boxes aren’t always square, and some are cleverly designed to keep us confined.”

Boxes are a part of our lives, following us wherever we venture, whether we acknowledge them or not. They provide structure, safety, and security and often help identify similarities between us. We live in boxes (houses), receive boxed gifts, and pack our belongings into boxes to move into a new “box.” We use boxes to express things: “Think outside the box,” “She’s boxed into a corner,” or “Be sure to check all the boxes.” Some people base their identity on the box they put themselves in.

Boxes can also be scary. By nature, they divide and separate. Unseen, metaphorical boxes of expectations of our families, religions, communities, employers, and others can evoke intense emotions and trap us.

Serial real estate entrepreneur Betsy Pepine has lived in her share of boxes. From growing up with the expectation of becoming a doctor through creating a successful real estate business—one of Inc.’s 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in the USA multiple times—her compelling stories shared in Breaking Boxes will help you:

• Understand the labels and stereotypes associated with boxes, so you can step outside societal expectations
• Recognize the boxes that contain you, so you can unpack what’s keeping you stuck
• Discover your true identity, so you can live free of the expectations of others