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Nov 4, 2024 · The meaning of SENSE OF SELF is ideas about the type of person one really is.
- Overview
- Why it’s so important
- Checking in with your sense of self
- Factors that can influence your sense of self
- Building a strong sense of self
- When to get help
- The bottom line
Your sense of self refers to your perception of the collection of characteristics that define you.
Personality traits, abilities, likes and dislikes, your belief system or moral code, and the things that motivate you — these all contribute to self-image or your unique identity as a person.
People who can easily describe these aspects of their identity typically have a fairly strong sense of who they are. Struggling to name more than a few of these characteristics might point to a less defined sense of self.
You may not spend much time consciously thinking about your identity, but it still affects your life. Knowing who you are allows you to live with purpose and develop satisfying relationships, both of which can contribute to overall good emotional health.
Some people can make it pretty far in life without giving their identity too much though. So, you might wonder, does a strong sense of self really make a difference?
It absolutely does.
Erika Myers, a licensed professional counselor in Bend, Oregon, explains:
“Having a well-developed sense of self is hugely beneficial in helping us make choices in life. From something as small as favorite foods to larger concerns like personal values, knowing what comes from our own self versus what comes from others allows us to live authentically.”
Your self-image can also fuel recognition of your own worth. You aren’t perfect (who is?), but you still have great value.
Self-knowledge makes it easier to accept your entire self, both the traits you’re proud of and those you’d like to improve. If you do feel dissatisfied with certain aspects of yourself, you’ll have an easier time addressing those areas when you have a strong sense of your nature and abilities.
So, where does your sense of self fall on the spectrum?
Perhaps you’ve noticed a pattern of making choices based on what you think other people want from you. Or maybe you don’t have many ambitions or deep-seated passions and simply feel content to go with the flow.
Say you had some trouble answering the questions above.
“Who am I, really?” you might be wondering, perhaps with some distress.
It might reassure you to learn it’s not terribly uncommon to have a somewhat blurred sense of self. This doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong or that you’re destined to live out your life without a clear identity.
A better understanding of the factors that play a part in the formation of self-image can help you begin sharpening it.
Define your values
Values and personal beliefs are fundamental aspects of identity. Your belief system can help you recognize what matters most to you and determine where you stand on important issues. For example, a desire to protect animal rights may lead you to choose cruelty-free products and make more informed choices about the foods you eat. Values can help guide the boundaries you set with others in your life. If you value honesty, for example, you might make it clear you can’t maintain a relationship with someone who lies to you. You don’t have to identify all your values at once, but try to think about some potential ones as you go about your day and interact with the world.
Make your own choices
Your decisions should, for the most part, primarily benefit your health and well-being. If you have a partner or children, you’ll also want to take their needs into account, though that shouldn’t involve neglecting yourself. Remember: When your needs go unmet, you have less to offer others. Maybe you’ve let others make important decisions for you in the past — your choice of college, career, or place of residence. If so, it might feel uncomfortable, even scary, to start making decisions for yourself. It’s OK to start small, though. Practice doing things because you want to do them, without asking for input from others. Keep in mind that seeking guidance from others doesn’t mean you lack a sense of self. It’s entirely healthy — even wise — to talk over difficult decisions with trusted loved ones. At the end of the day, it’s important to make the choice that’s best for you, regardless of their opinions.
Spend time alone
When you want to get to know someone, you spend time with them, right? It follows, then, that getting to know yourself better will involve some quality time alone. It might feel strange at first, but it’s healthy to take some time apart from others, even your family or partner. Use this time however you like. If you’d really like to maximize self-exploration, try: •experimenting with new hobbies •volunteering •reading more books •meditating •keeping a journal
It might feel pretty overwhelming to begin defining your sense of self, especially if you’ve never given your identity much thought.
If you feel stuck, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for guidance. A therapist can offer support with emotional distress that relates to your sense of self, such as:
•low self-esteem
•depression
•anxiety
•persistent unhappiness that stems from dissatisfaction with life
The concept of “self” isn’t always easy to grasp, in part because your identity naturally shifts and develops over life as you learn and grow.
It’s normal to have some moments of confusion or self-doubt. When you consistently feel unfulfilled or struggle to name your needs and desires, consider taking the time for a little self-discovery.
Jul 6, 2022 · A strong sense of self may be connected to your belief in yourself, or rooted in your upbringing. People who lack a strong sense of self may have experienced adverse or traumatic events.
Apr 19, 2018 · sense of self. Share button. Updated on 04/19/2018. an individual’s feeling of identity, uniqueness, and self-direction. ... Browse Dictionary.
Drawing on Prescott Lecky’s proposition that chronic self-views give people a strong sense of coherence, self-verification theory posits that people desire to be seen as they see themselves, even if their self-views are negative. Self-views can guide at least three stages of information processing: attention, recall, and interpretation.
Jul 29, 2024 · Our self-concept impacts how we respond to life, so a well-developed self-concept helps us respond in ways that are more positive and beneficial for us and those around us. One of the ways it does this is by enabling us to recognize our worth. A well-developed self-concept also helps keep us from internalizing negative feedback from others.
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May 23, 2023 · Self concept definition : the way a person thinks about and views his or her traits, beliefs, and purpose within the world. In a nutshell, a strong sense of self may be defined by knowing your own goals, values and ideals and define feelings of self.
