I'm just wondering what this could be a symptom of...

[Lostatnight]

I'm just wondering what this could be a symptom of:

 

If the world is actually the opposite of what I think it is - for example, I think I am nice, but am actually hurtful; I think people like me, but they actually hate me; I feel like I fit in, but I really don't...

 

I'm just curious what type of behaviour or thinking pattern this is? Self-denial? Some kind of psychosis? Am I in my own little 'bubble'? I feel very sensitive to what others say and do, and to their feelings, but what if somehow in the big picture, I've got it all wrong?

 

Thanks,

Dazed & confused

[ALonerAgain]

Dazed and COnfused,

 

I'm not sure what the correct 'diagnosis' for this is, but I feel the same way.

 

It's definitely an imbalance of self: recognise that everybody has a 'true' self and a 'false' self. Most people have lost touch with who they truly are and how to be authentic and instead, get swept up in an image of themselves, which is influenced by our upbringing, how we react and interact with others, how others perceive us, etc. Most often we go by what others tell us about ourselves, but we have to realise that this could be by evidence of behaviour, whether 'good' or 'bad' and doesn't necessarily give an accurate picture of who we are inside.

 

Has something happened to make you doubt this image of yourself? Or have you always felt this way?

[Lostatnight]

Hey Loner

 

Do you think we are lost, or that we are truly good and society is bad?

 

That is my conundrum... I think I am a good person, and feel it's validated by some people I meet, but then I wonder and have self-doubts, like you say and wonder if I am 'incongruent' with the world...

 

Anyway, thanks for your input - it's an interesting analysis... I have always felt this way, ever since being abused as a child and feeling like I am outsider a glass window looking in on the 'normal' world! lol

 

Edited January 30, 2011 by Lostatnight

[Lostatnight]

ps. how did you (or do you) deal with the imbalance of self you mentioned? Is there a good book or philosophy you recommend?