Have you ever felt stuck in an old pattern that no longer serves you, like wearing shoes that no longer fit? I certainly have.
For some time now, I've been observing more carefully when and where I am not fully myself. I notice that I am acting out patterns that I've learned to use for different reasons. In other words, I’m reflecting on how I use my Persona and where I might be hiding parts of my true self.
The Persona represents the roles we adopt to navigate various social situations and fulfill expectations from others. While it can help us function in society, over-reliance on our Persona can lead to a disconnection from our true selves. Here’s a short video where Jung discusses the Persona: youtube.com/shorts/bpnV-FFyqpM.
While observing, I've realized several areas in my life and personality that have significantly developed over the last five years or so. I've been reflecting on and experimenting with letting go of patterns that no longer serve me—like a snake shedding its old skin to renew itself and, at the same time, return to its original form.
This reflection has led me to realize a significant aspect of my personality that I want to share with you: As a kid and teenager, I embodied the trickster—always playing, joking, and doing silly things, which naturally got me into trouble and annoyed people. When I entered my current relationship with my wife at 23 (now I'm 34), I matured in many ways. One of those changes is that my trickster side gradually receded into the background, and I became a more responsible, serious, and mature person—less irrational, silly, and spontaneous. In other words, less fun.
My wife is incredibly smart and grounded—rational and responsible. She has helped me find a balance between my intuitive and thinking sides, allowing me to become much more centered. However, she is sensitive to over-the-top silliness, which she doesn’t particularly enjoy. As a result, I've gradually toned down my playful side around her, as it can sometimes feel overwhelming. With friends and the kids I work with, that playful spirit is still very much alive. However, since I spend much of my time sharing space with her and focusing my energy on my personal missions, there’s been little room for spontaneity and playfulness in my life.
I’ve decided it’s time to change that. Lately, I've noticed that my soul is expressing this imbalance through dreams and recurring experiences, signaling that it’s time to reclaim that lost aspect of myself.
Lately, I’ve been letting go of the need to be this responsible and calm person when I’m around her. I also shared with her that, although it’s more comfortable for her when I’m more “civilized,” I want to consciously make space for this playful side of my personality at home and in our time together. This can be challenging for her, but she understands me, and I’m learning to find a balance—allowing this energy to be present in me without overwhelming her. Just to emphasize, I’ve always been playful and creative with her, but now I’m aiming to manifest it on a different level.
I want to become who I truly am and transform the convenient patterns I’ve embodied out of a need to adapt. I know this change won't be comfortable for those who are used to experiencing me in a specific way, but I believe they will adjust and ultimately benefit from my authenticity. As Jung writes, "The peculiarity of the individual is more conducive to a better social performance than when the peculiarity is neglected or suppressed."
So that's one example.
I am ready for the next step with this channel, using it as a space to meditate on Jung’s ideas through expressing myself more—to individuate and reveal my true self to you. I am excited about this journey. This means I will start creating videos that explore Jung's ideas and how they resonate with my personal journey.
In light of this journey, Jung's insight comes to mind: "Individualism means deliberately stressing and giving prominence to some supposed peculiarity rather than to collective considerations and obligations. But individuation means precisely the better and more complete fulfillment of the collective qualities of the human being, since adequate consideration of the peculiarity of the individual is more conducive to a better social performance than when the peculiarity is neglected or suppressed... Every human face has a nose, two eyes, etc., but these universal factors are variable, and it is this variability which makes individual peculiarities possible. Individuation, therefore, can only mean a process of psychological development that fulfills the individual qualities given; in other words, it is a process by which a man becomes the definite, unique being he in fact is. In so doing he does not become “selfish” in the ordinary sense of the word, but is merely fulfilling the peculiarity of his nature, and this, as we have said, is vastly different from egotism or individualism”. ~ CW 7-2 §267.
This journey of individuation is not just about personal growth; it’s about enriching our relationships and contributing more fully to our communities.
Have you experienced letting go of old patterns to embrace your fuller self? What challenges have you faced along the way? I invite you to share your experiences and insights or simply take a moment to reflect. Who knows—perhaps a great idea for growth will arise.
The Jungian Aion
Have you ever felt stuck in an old pattern that no longer serves you, like wearing shoes that no longer fit? I certainly have.
For some time now, I've been observing more carefully when and where I am not fully myself. I notice that I am acting out patterns that I've learned to use for different reasons. In other words, I’m reflecting on how I use my Persona and where I might be hiding parts of my true self.
The Persona represents the roles we adopt to navigate various social situations and fulfill expectations from others. While it can help us function in society, over-reliance on our Persona can lead to a disconnection from our true selves. Here’s a short video where Jung discusses the Persona: youtube.com/shorts/bpnV-FFyqpM.
While observing, I've realized several areas in my life and personality that have significantly developed over the last five years or so. I've been reflecting on and experimenting with letting go of patterns that no longer serve me—like a snake shedding its old skin to renew itself and, at the same time, return to its original form.
This reflection has led me to realize a significant aspect of my personality that I want to share with you: As a kid and teenager, I embodied the trickster—always playing, joking, and doing silly things, which naturally got me into trouble and annoyed people. When I entered my current relationship with my wife at 23 (now I'm 34), I matured in many ways. One of those changes is that my trickster side gradually receded into the background, and I became a more responsible, serious, and mature person—less irrational, silly, and spontaneous. In other words, less fun.
My wife is incredibly smart and grounded—rational and responsible. She has helped me find a balance between my intuitive and thinking sides, allowing me to become much more centered. However, she is sensitive to over-the-top silliness, which she doesn’t particularly enjoy. As a result, I've gradually toned down my playful side around her, as it can sometimes feel overwhelming. With friends and the kids I work with, that playful spirit is still very much alive. However, since I spend much of my time sharing space with her and focusing my energy on my personal missions, there’s been little room for spontaneity and playfulness in my life.
I’ve decided it’s time to change that. Lately, I've noticed that my soul is expressing this imbalance through dreams and recurring experiences, signaling that it’s time to reclaim that lost aspect of myself.
Lately, I’ve been letting go of the need to be this responsible and calm person when I’m around her. I also shared with her that, although it’s more comfortable for her when I’m more “civilized,” I want to consciously make space for this playful side of my personality at home and in our time together. This can be challenging for her, but she understands me, and I’m learning to find a balance—allowing this energy to be present in me without overwhelming her. Just to emphasize, I’ve always been playful and creative with her, but now I’m aiming to manifest it on a different level.
I want to become who I truly am and transform the convenient patterns I’ve embodied out of a need to adapt. I know this change won't be comfortable for those who are used to experiencing me in a specific way, but I believe they will adjust and ultimately benefit from my authenticity. As Jung writes, "The peculiarity of the individual is more conducive to a better social performance than when the peculiarity is neglected or suppressed."
So that's one example.
I am ready for the next step with this channel, using it as a space to meditate on Jung’s ideas through expressing myself more—to individuate and reveal my true self to you. I am excited about this journey. This means I will start creating videos that explore Jung's ideas and how they resonate with my personal journey.
In light of this journey, Jung's insight comes to mind: "Individualism means deliberately stressing and giving prominence to some supposed peculiarity rather than to collective considerations and obligations. But individuation means precisely the better and more complete fulfillment of the collective qualities of the human being, since adequate consideration of the peculiarity of the individual is more conducive to a better social performance than when the peculiarity is neglected or suppressed... Every human face has a nose, two eyes, etc., but these universal factors are variable, and it is this variability which makes individual peculiarities possible. Individuation, therefore, can only mean a process of psychological development that fulfills the individual qualities given; in other words, it is a process by which a man becomes the definite, unique being he in fact is. In so doing he does not become “selfish” in the ordinary sense of the word, but is merely fulfilling the peculiarity of his nature, and this, as we have said, is vastly different from egotism or individualism”. ~ CW 7-2 §267.
This journey of individuation is not just about personal growth; it’s about enriching our relationships and contributing more fully to our communities.
Have you experienced letting go of old patterns to embrace your fuller self? What challenges have you faced along the way? I invite you to share your experiences and insights or simply take a moment to reflect. Who knows—perhaps a great idea for growth will arise.
Courage.
1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 1,067