Finding a definition of self

Throughout my first year of university, I struggled with reflective assignments that required me to analyze my “Self.” It was something I had never considered deeply, much less written about. Reflection felt unfamiliar and daunting.

Things began to shift when a classmate introduced me to Richard C. Schwartz’s book on Internal Family Systems (IFS). This therapeutic approach describes the mind as a system of distinct parts, each with unique roles and personalities. It suggests that we can interact with these parts, asking them to step aside when needed.

I’ve always thought about my mind in this way, recognizing that my worry is just one part of me. When necessary, I can ask this part to step aside so I can focus on what truly matters in the moment.

As for the concept of Self, IFS describes it as the core part of our mind that interacts with the other parts. Personifying this idea in my own mind helped me better reflect on my emotions not only in my personal growth but also in my therapeutic practice. Through this process, I gained clarity about how I was feeling and how to channel those emotions effectively when giving therapy. It also gave me a framework to reflect on my journey through university and the challenges I’ve faced along the way.

This is my first attempt at blogging, and I’m excited to keep practicing and improving. I hope these posts will become longer, more structured, and more informative as I continue this journey.

Killian