Navigating the Shift in Personality: An Exploration of Existential Crises and Identity

I feel like a switch flipped in my mind and my personality changed. I feel like I am fighting myself every day. Please read the comment I added for further explanation of what is happening to me.

What is an Existential Crisis or Identity Shift?

Existential crises or identity shifts are common experiences that many people encounter throughout their lives. While they may seem threatening, they often turn out to be a form of self-discovery and transformation.

When we experience such changes, it is important to concentrate on the things that remain constant, like our physical body. Deep breaths can help you bring yourself back to the present. Notice the support of the chair or the ground when you sit or stand. Observe that your surroundings remain unchanged despite your internal turmoil. This moment-to-moment awareness can help you ground yourself and find stability.

Personal Growth and Change

People change over time, and it is a natural part of the human experience. You are not the same person you were when you were eight years old, and that is okay. Embracing change and personal growth is essential. Have you set any goals for your future?

Are you prepared to achieve these goals? Have you made the necessary changes to reach them or do you need to adapt and evolve?

Understanding Personality

Personality is a complex and multifaceted concept. The word personality itself derives from the Latin word persona, meaning a theatrical mask. This symbolizes the various roles that we take on and the different identities we present to the world.

At its core, personality refers to the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make a person unique. It is believed that these patterns are largely consistent throughout an individual's life, influenced not just by genetics but also by environmental and experiential factors.

Characteristics of Personality

Several fundamental characteristics of personality are:

Consistency: People act in recognizable and similar ways across different situations. Psychological and physiological: Personality is both psychological and influenced by biological processes. Behaviors and actions: Personality influences how we interact with the world and motivates our behaviors. Multiple expressions: Personality is not limited to just behavior but also manifests in thoughts, feelings, close relationships, and social interactions.

Trait Theories of Personality

According to trait theories, personality is the result of internal characteristics that are often genetically based. Here are some of the core traits:

Agreeable: Cares about others, feels empathy, likes helping others. Conscientious: Exhibits high levels of thoughtfulness, good impulse control, and goal-directed behaviors. Eager-to-please: Accommodating, passive, and conforming. Extraversion: Excitable, sociable, talkative, assertive, and emotionally expressive. Introversion: Quiet and reserved. Neuroticism: Experiences stress, dramatic mood swings, feels anxious, worried, and finds it difficult to recover from stressful events. Openness: Creative, open to trying new things, enjoys tackling new challenges.

Scientific and Unseen Influences

Despite advances in scientific understanding, much about personality remains a mystery, especially the underlying reasons why certain behaviors manifest in specific individuals. While we have some theories about genetic, environmental, and experiential influences, the role of the unseen in personality development is often overlooked.

Your current personality is a result of all the experiences you have had, even those that are not fully understood or recognized. Our past experiences, whether from childhood or from other periods in life, shape who we are today.

While our past may not be explicitly linked to our childhood, it is important to consider the broader context of our experiences. These experiences, even the unknown ones, contribute to the development of our personalities and influence our attitudes and behaviors.

By acknowledging the unseen elements of personality development, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. This knowledge can help us navigate the changes and shifts that occur as we grow and evolve.

At the end of the day, the information shared your ideas and thoughts are meant to open your mind, just as flowers bloom in response to the right conditions. Understanding the complexities of personality can provide us with the tools to embrace change and grow through the challenges we face.