Humans are intricately complex beings…
Despite our self-perceived clarity and logic, there is absolutely nothing black or white about us. Grey runs in our DNA.
One part of you is nice and friendly, another part can be mean and judgemental.
One part of you is healthy and eats clean, another part gets into binge mode as soon as the weekend hits.
The mistake we make is allowing ourselves to be defined and labeled by these parts and whatever part we identify with, starts to shine in our/ other’s personality.
“I’m just a procrastinator”. “He’s a bully”. “She’s a mean person” and the like…
These multiple and conflicting parts within ourselves take on various roles and serve as little soldiers, that oddly enough play their part to ‘protect us’. (Yes there’s a whole empire within you, running behind the scenes, called Internal Family Systems)
“However is my procrastinator part protecting me”? , you might think… Maybe it’s to avoid that feeling of anxiety every time you sit down to work on that essay.
The fact is that every part, as problematic and unhealthy as it may seem is simply a coping mechanism or rather a ‘solution’ to another problem. That’s just how we are wired to be, when survival is key.
As we begin to recognise these facets within, we begin to see them for what they are and begin to heal. Uncovering the parts layer by layer eventually leads us to our authenticity which is what we call the True Self.
So for what it’s worth you can actually simplify your own complexity through awareness and some dissection.
And this transfomative surgery wouldn’t break your bank either.
If you’re keen to find out more and dive deeper, check out our latest episode with Dr Tori Olds on How to be your own Therapist.