Daily Poll: Self-awareness

[bigbaldben]

Vote, dammit.

[Delfos]

Weird topic. I read a bunch of stuff to realize and control some of my strengths and weaknesses, I suggest everyone should read Psychoanalysis of Sigmund Freud, any number of books as much as you think you need to read more to understand more. There are of course other books you should read, I'm more inclined to politics and I've read a bunch of different works from political philosophers that also help understand and (positively) shape my world view.

I consider to have had a "good Oedipus school", by reading some of Freud's work I remembered things from my childhood that I had done and completely forgot, events that culminated on my father's death for instance I can relate to some of the Oedipus complex and what it entails, although I don't think I had sexual attraction to my mother, at least consciously I remember having a very strong connection with my mother, but I did not kill my father if that's what you're thinking, although...well now this is only for a few restricted amount of people that actually know me for real.

So yeah I think people should seek that knowledge, specially people that say "I'm pretty sure I have some problem about something but I can't relate to anything I read online" - well you can't relate directly to the cases Freud had to deal with, everyone has their experiences and their version of all complexes, and for him all men are cave-men and behave completely irrational, well he's not that far off, it may seem exaggeration but men usually have a mixed soup of complexes that are completely Fcked up, you have to try to relate to the type of feelings, relationships and impulsive reactions you've had, specially growing up/childhood.

Adulthood is usually all your complexes combined, competing with each other, taking ownership of your ego and sneaking up on your when you least expect, and it gets worse as you get older, 65 and up you'll lose control of your ego and eventually...go nuts. Your best weapon is to read this Psychology and Philosophy mofos to shape your world view and keep your sanity.

[Udluzechitlan]

Know Thyself, the old expression goes.

[Khem]

I largely agree with the views of Delfos but now see the root of our disagreements as they occur, the Freudian view of Psychology. I'm much more about the Jungian side of things, one must seek their shadow self to know ones light. Being a survivor of PTSD it is vital for me to know myself, to master my own psyche. It's almost a sacred duty to self to dive into the muck of shit in ones psyche to find the truth of self.

[Allama]

Something I'm actively working on is not being so unkind to myself. I tend to berate myself extensively for even the most minor of "offenses", which include things like accidentally catching a stranger's eye or misplacing a comma in a work email. It's an illogical relic thought pattern from my childhood.

This may be an overshare but it helped me a lot so I'm putting it out there in case someone else feels the same way:

(click to show/hide)

Recently someone said to me, "You would never say those nasty things to another person. You wouldn't blame or think less of them for these insignificant incidents; you at least try to understand why people do what they do and treat them with love. So why do you judge yourself with so little compassion?" He was totally right.

Now I try to imagine that a friend is talking about these situations and see what responses comes to mind. It really helps! I now realize that 99.9% of the mean, critical things I tell myself aren't valid, are in fact very cruel and unnecessary. Sometimes I catch myself being nasty in my head and am able to turn it around and instead treat myself with the same love and understanding I'd extend to anyone else. Much of the time not. So it's a work in progress! 

Once I reprogram myself sufficiently in this way, I imagine the next challenge will be to continue holding myself to a high standard of behavior while not being unkind. I don't want this burgeoning self-love to turn into arrogance or an excuse to be a shitty human being.

[Dyr Nasad]

We sure are an arrogant lot

[St Oz]

We sure are an arrogant lot

I'm the only person who put not at all lol. Might be hyperbolic, but yeah I feel arrogant if I am to say I know myself.

[Delfos]

We sure are an arrogant lot

And prejudicial.

[Lindisfarne]

Other.
Spec:
I don't really know how much i know of myself, but I'm learning. I suppose that has to do with me being young.

I largely agree with the views of Delfos but now see the root of our disagreements as they occur, the Freudian view of Psychology. I'm much more about the Jungian side of things, one must seek their shadow self to know ones light. Being a survivor of PTSD it is vital for me to know myself, to master my own psyche. It's almost a sacred duty to self to dive into the muck of shit in ones psyche to find the truth of self.

Yes, I can relate to that, but its not only a question of getting to know yourself, but also learning to love yourself, so i relate well to Allama's post too.