The Most Important Truth Carl Jung Ever Spoke on The Ego
An influential psychologist’s warning on the ego
We spend our whole lives building an ego (a sense of self, a perception of identity). It’s a healthy process. A psychological construct that helps us build images of who we think we are. But the ego likes to be in control and often projects a “specialness” on the self. It will insist things be done a certain way. That’s when it becomes a distraction.
Influential psychologist Carl Jung thought the “ego” was our identity’s foundation. It’s our conscious mind, the “I” we hold onto. It helps us create a strong self for life. In our early years, the ego defines the self, insanely important process. It pushes us to define ourselves.
But Jung saw a second half to life.
Around midlife, he believed we reach a turning point. The “ego” is not the primary source of life satisfaction at that stage. The outer achievements — career, skills, status — can stand in your way. He recommends we let it go to build a much better relationship with ourselves. Turn inward, let it go, and, better still, unlearn what you’ve held onto so tightly all those years. The first half is about creating a self in the world; the second half is about finding your self within.
