01.Why know yourself?
The first step toward change.
Introduction - The Journey Within
Have you ever wondered who you really are? What moves you, what stops you, what makes you shine?
We live in a society that pushes us to run, to achieve goals, to build an image of success. Yet, we often find ourselves following paths we do not feel are our own, trapped between external expectations and a fear of looking within. Self-knowledge, on the other hand, is the key to a more authentic existence aligned with one's values.
In ancient Greece, on the lintel of the temple at Delphi, stood the inscription "Gnothi Seauton" -Know thyself . Socrates, through his RMA method, argued that true wisdom does not consist in knowing everything, but in recognizing what one does not yet know about oneself.
1. What does it mean to really know each other?
Self-knowledge is not an end point, but an ongoing process of exploration. It means not only knowing one's name, job or tastes, but understanding one's emotions, beliefs and reactions.
Carl Jung, father of analytical psychology, talked about the concept of shadow: those parts of us that we do not want to see or accept, but that influence our choices and behavior. Getting to know ourselves also means making peace with these parts, integrating them into our identity.
2. Why do so many people avoid getting to know each other?
Fear of what we might discover: The fear of having to face parts of ourselves that we do not like can drive us to avoid ourselves.
External expectations: We are often so conditioned by what others expect of us that we drift away from our true essence...
The rush of daily life: We live immersed in commitments and distractions that prevent us from stopping and listening to ourselves.
Rollo May, existentialist psychologist, argued that "the courage to be" is fundamental to our well-being: only by facing our true selves can we live with authenticity.
3. The benefits of self-knowledge
More awareness → Making choices more aligned with one's values.
More self-confidence → Knowing one's abilities and limitations helps one feel more confident.
Better relationships → Understanding oneself enables better communication with others.
Increased resilience → Knowing what one's inner resources are helps to overcome difficulties.
Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence, says that self-awareness is the basis of emotional intelligence: recognizing one's emotions allows one to manage them better and make deeper connections with others.
4. How to start getting to know each other?
Getting to know each other does not mean getting lost in endless analysis, but building practical tools to understand each other better. Some ways to get started:
Read, get informed — not everyone finds it easy to express themselves. Getting inspired can help: something will show us the beginning of the way, something will give us the right input.
Journal writing → Putting one's thoughts in writing helps to give them shape and meaning.
Observe oneself without judgment → Notice one's own emotions and reactions without criticizing them.
Ask trusted people for feedback → Sometimes, those who know us well can offer us a valuable mirror.
Rely on a professional → Counseling , coaching ,psychotherapy but also more spiritual approaches can offer safe spaces to explore in depth, the important thing is that you feel comfortable in your choice because it is the relationship, the compatibility in the helping relationship, that can make the difference.
Conclusion - The First Step is Yours
Getting to know yourself is a lifelong journey, but each small step brings more clarity, authenticity and freedom. As Nietzsche said, "Become what you are."
And you, are you ready to begin your journey of discovery?
Sources of inspiration:
Plato-Apologyof Socrates (4th century B.C.)
Carl Jung - The concept of shadow and the journey of personality integration:
Rollo May - The importance of facing fear and living with authenticity:
Daniel Goleman - Emotional intelligence and self-awareness:
Friedrich Nietzsche - The invitation to become oneself
