In order to love ourselves, we first have to know ourselves. But getting to know ourselves isn't always easy. Over time, we can become attached to a particular identity or story about who we are. While that story may be true, it may only be one part of us, leaving other authentic parts hidden beneath the surface.
In this episode of Immersion, we explore how our self-concept develops, why we become attached to certain identities, and how we can begin reconnecting with who we are beneath the roles, labels, and stories we've accumulated over time.
We'll cover:
- The psychology behind how our self-concept forms, including the role of splitting.
- Why it's normal for our sense of self to be partially shaped by our relationships and social world.
- What the ego actually is (and how it differs from the way the term is often used).
- The role of unconditional positive regard in humanistic psychology, and how being truly seen by others shapes our sense of self.
- Practical exercises to help you get to know yourself more deeply and expand your sense of who you are.
Who are you beneath the story you've been telling yourself?
Timestamps:
00:00 How Does Self-Concept Form
04:14 Relational Models and the “Looking-Glass Self”
08:13 Ego Defined
10:22 How Self-Concept Becomes Too Rigid and We Suffer
14:12 Carl Rogers and Living With Congruence vs. Incongruence
15:32 Steps to Get to Know Ourselves
Full Relationship to the self series playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPJBR0a3Yz6vsH5TkuPFtd2b7YgbL11OG
And Podcast version of the first episode of the series: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2318937/episodes/19265696
Resources:
- Questions to fall in love: https://36questionsinlove.com
- Creativity course book: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
- How to Rebuild Self-Identity After Years of Shame by Tim Fletcher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWktnnPa8Xs
- Possible further reading - Ego and justification: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/theory-of-knowledge/202105/what-is-the-ego
Instagram - we will be posting here soon
