Hello! I really hope my answer can be of some help to you.
From what you've shared, it seems like you're on a journey to find the meaning of your life. It's totally normal to feel like your path and the world's view of it might not align perfectly. We all go through this in our growth and development. This is the time when we start to shape our unique sense of self, or self-identity.
Let's start by understanding what "self-identity" is. It's the sense of self-integration and adaptation that an individual has in a particular environment. It's also about the individual's ability to seek internal consistency and continuity. It refers to the continuity, maturity, and sense of integration of personality development. At this stage, we try to combine all aspects related to ourselves to form a self-determined, coordinated, and unique "same style" self that is different from others.
The wonderful psychologist Erik Erikson defines identity as "a feeling of familiarity with oneself," "a feeling of knowing how one will live," and "an inner confidence that comes from trusted people giving the expected approval."
Some scholars also say that self-identity is about that lovely feeling you get when you know yourself and others see you the same way.
In other words, self-identity actually has two meanings.
1. The individual achieves a harmonious state of self-integration within themselves.
2. The individual's understanding of themselves is in agreement with how others see them.
And the first level is the foundation for the second level.
It can be really tough when we know what kind of person we want to be, but our parents don't agree with us becoming that person. It can leave us feeling like there's a big gap between how we see ourselves and how the outside world sees us.
It's so important to find a way to adjust ourselves or communicate with our parents if we want to develop a sense of self-identity. When we lose the feeling of identity, we lose our own existence and can end up feeling lost, unable to find the direction and meaning of life.
But don't worry, my dear friend. Your current distress is simply a reminder to find your life's direction and meaning, to establish your self-identity, and to help yourself achieve a harmonious state of self-integration.
I'd love to share my story with you in the hope that it might inspire you too!
Like you, I was a straight-A student from a young age, and my parents were always so proud of me. They dreamed that I would become a university teacher, just like one of my aunts.
I grew up with such expectations and also thought that being a university teacher was the ultimate goal in life.
After I got my master's, I kept on studying so I could teach at a university. That summer, I got married to my boyfriend of six years. Then I started preparing for my doctorate while trying to get pregnant.
When I found out that I had passed the preliminary exam, I also found out that I was pregnant! Since I studied engineering, I needed to do a lot of experiments during my doctoral studies. My wonderful supervisor suggested that I choose between my doctorate and my child.
I chose my child because there are still so many opportunities to apply for a doctorate, but a child is the continuation of life, the crystallization of love, and the most precious gift from God.
Later, after the baby was born, I still had my sights set on that doctorate! I kept up with my studies, but at that time, my husband and in-laws were ready for me to be a full-time mom.
So I started taking care of my little one full-time.
Later on, when my little one started kindergarten, I suddenly had a lot of free time on my hands! I decided to start brushing up on my exam skills. It was around this time that I learned about the exam for psychological counselors and became really interested in it, so I started studying psychology.
During the review period, I had a bit of a reality check. I realized that becoming a college teacher was simply not an option for me.
First, I need to get into Zhejiang University for a doctorate. Then, I need to study for four years. If all goes well, I can apply for a job at a university after graduation. But then I suddenly realized that I didn't like doing scientific research and experiments before. If I go for a doctorate, I will have to force myself to do a lot of experiments, which I'm not sure I'm ready for. At the same time, I need to temporarily put aside the family that needs my care, which is tough.
I just had to ask myself, "Is this what I really want?"
I asked myself, "Is this what I really want?"
I suddenly realized that the purpose of my doctoral studies was just to prove to everyone that I could read and study, that I could study to the extreme and obtain the highest diploma. This was what the outside world expected of me, but was it what I really wanted from the bottom of my heart?
So, if a doctorate isn't what I really want, is being a university teacher what I really want?
It's not that either. I'd love to be able to pursue a life that is free, that allows me to take care of my family and continue to grow as a person.
I've been on a real journey to find the right balance between taking care of my family and realizing my own potential.
I have a teaching certificate, but I realized that if I really became a teacher, I would not be able to take care of my children and provide a stable home environment for my husband. Instead, it would make an otherwise happy and harmonious family unstable. I thought about opening a small shop, but I realized that it wasn't something I was good at or liked doing...
Later on, I discovered psychology, and I found something I absolutely loved! Ever since I was little, I've been great at listening and empathizing. I love to explore and really get into learning, and I'm full of curiosity and enthusiasm for psychology!
Later on, when I discovered psychology, I realized that I had found something I truly loved. Ever since I was little, I've been good at listening to and empathizing with others. I love to explore and delve deeply into learning, and I'm full of curiosity and enthusiasm for psychology!
I've finally found a great balance between taking care of my family and realizing my potential! I can study and work freely at home, constantly improve and grow myself, while also taking better care of my family and caring for my family members.
I've finally found a great balance between taking care of my family and realizing my potential! I can study and work freely at home, constantly improve and grow myself, while also taking better care of my family and caring for my family members.
I'm so happy to say that I've finally found a balance between taking care of my family and realizing my potential! I can study and work freely at home, constantly improve and grow myself, while also taking better care of my family and caring for my family members.
I'm so happy to say that I've finally achieved a state of inner harmony and self-integration! My perception of myself and the way I am perceived by the outside world is becoming more and more harmonious.
I'm so happy to say that I've finally reached a state of inner harmony and self-integration! My perception of myself and how I'm seen by others is becoming more and more harmonious and unified.
I'd love to tell you more about my journey!
It's been a bit of a journey, to be honest! When people first called me a "full-time mother," I have to admit I felt a bit resistant. And when I stayed home to take care of my family and stopped working, I felt a bit conflicted. Even when I decided to become a counselor, my parents still suggested I try to become a teacher again...
It's been a bit of a journey, to be honest! When people first called me a "full-time mom," I have to admit I felt a bit resistant. And when I stayed home to take care of my family and stopped working, I felt a bit conflicted. And when I chose to become a counselor, my parents still suggested that I try to be a teacher again...
And when I really saw myself, when I really knew what kind of person I should become, my inner being became harmonious and unified, and I built up my self-identity. It was such a beautiful moment!
And when I really saw myself, when I really knew what kind of person I should become, my inner being became harmonious and unified, and I built up my self-identity. It was such a wonderful feeling!
At this time, it's as if the voices from the outside world fade into the background. When our internal passion motivates us to become, step by step, the person we most look forward to and most ideally see ourselves becoming, we are also telling the world: "This is who I am, and I'm proud of it!"
I hope you can also free yourself from the expectations of others and truly become yourself, the real you. You are inherently good and valuable, so there's no need to prove yourself to anyone. When we are always proving ourselves, it shows that we are not good enough and are seeking external recognition. We are always being
I hope you can also free yourself from the expectations of others and truly become yourself, the real you. You are inherently good and valuable, and I know you already know that deep down. We don't need to deliberately prove ourselves. When we are always proving ourselves, it shows that we are not good enough, and we are also seeking external recognition, always in a passive state, in a position to be evaluated. You need to take back the right to evaluate yourself. You define the meaning of your life yourself, and that's a good thing! We don't need to prove ourselves to be good, but we can still realize our own value, have our own goals, and do what we like to do, what we are good at doing, and what we agree is valuable.
I truly believe that when you truly become yourself, the whole world will applaud and cheer for you!
Comments
I can relate to feeling lost despite achievements. It's tough when you're driven by external validation and suddenly question its value. Life seems to have different meanings for each of us, and finding your own path might be the key.
It sounds like a lot has been weighing on you. Sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to meet others' expectations that we forget what truly makes us happy. Maybe it's time to redefine success in terms of personal fulfillment rather than accolades.
Your journey is unique, and it's okay to take a moment to reflect on what brings you joy. Perhaps reconnecting with simpler pleasures, like reading novels, could offer some clarity and remind you of what's important.
Feeling conflicted between societal standards and personal satisfaction is common. You've accomplished a lot, but it's also valid to feel uncertain. Maybe focusing on meaningful projects that resonate with you could help bridge that gap.
The struggle to find meaning amidst constant evaluation is real. It's hard when you don't feel recognized for your true worth. Trusting your own judgment and pursuing work that feels significant to you might bring back that sense of purpose.