And therein lies an insight I've had for some time:
How do we turn those possibilities into current realities? It's through stepping out...
I think that accepting a label can act as a severe brake on taking those initiatives, or more insidiously, a way of validating inaction, or even excusing ourselves for errors that we "can't help making". There's a hidden payoff in that, but it's ultimately opting out of taking responsibility for our own actions or inaction. And we are the losers...
I think we grow more, learn more, can give more, when we step out into the "edge" of our comfort zones, and take a small risk to confront our anxieties. I observe that my parents' generation did that much more than myself or subsequent generations. Times were tougher, and people just had to be more self-reliant.
I don't think Psychologists are making any mistakes; rather it's a reflection of a huge shift in societal values from being aware of the needs of society versus the rights of the individual. Or to put it another way: awareness of the needs of others versus self as centre of the universe, and that's not helpful for our own health, or the health of the wider community.
Thanks for this, received by email just now. I hear you and it is a very pertinent and individual question for both those of us with a diagnosis of 'something' and those without any labels assigned to us - Where is the point or points where it's healthier to push against labels or push on despite a diagnosis to pursue your goals?
Conversely, where is the point at which a diagnosis serves and supports, creates more opportunity, not less? Are we limiting ourselves more in some ways through taking on new and evolving labels, than other generations did because they were not yet thinking in those terms? Interesting thoughts indeed....
I always love hearing your thoughts on every day life, Dr. A panini indeed! Personally, am not a fan of labelling and putting people in boxes. As humans I believe we are constantly evolving, and that is a good thing and I would be happier if more people pursued change, in that regard. Psychiatry loves a diagnosis, loves nothing more than to wrap someone up with a name tag and pop them in their respective box. Because this kind of thing can help certain personality types find their 'tribe' it can be beneficial, but the downside of that is that they may be misrepresented. I believe that people are multi faceted and are never only one thing at any one time. Australia, IMO, has no real cultural practices, thought there are religious/spiritual practices (and sports!!!?! ;) )and, to clarify, I am not including the many Indigenous cultural practices (that I hoped had the 2023 Referendum had a positive outcome we may all have had the benefit of). Therefore many young people, that is those under 30, have nothing to hang their hat on, so to speak, other than accumulating labels. I say let us all discover whom we are, with professional guidance or spiritual guidance or insight or a blend of those and more, but in doing so try to avoid any band wagon that may be going by. 'Group Think' only perpetuates a lack of curiosity, and serves those who want to control the zeitgeist, the status quo. It is vital to challenge that status quo every day. Rise up against complacency and have the only label be ones name. (stepping off my soap box now, Miss.)
Yes. The human desire to find belonging can be beautiful and rewarding and it's natural. At times however, it gets people into terrible trouble, trying to fit into really unhealthy cultures because they're cool at the time...mean trap for young players....
From an anonymous reader:
And therein lies an insight I've had for some time:
How do we turn those possibilities into current realities? It's through stepping out...
I think that accepting a label can act as a severe brake on taking those initiatives, or more insidiously, a way of validating inaction, or even excusing ourselves for errors that we "can't help making". There's a hidden payoff in that, but it's ultimately opting out of taking responsibility for our own actions or inaction. And we are the losers...
I think we grow more, learn more, can give more, when we step out into the "edge" of our comfort zones, and take a small risk to confront our anxieties. I observe that my parents' generation did that much more than myself or subsequent generations. Times were tougher, and people just had to be more self-reliant.
I don't think Psychologists are making any mistakes; rather it's a reflection of a huge shift in societal values from being aware of the needs of society versus the rights of the individual. Or to put it another way: awareness of the needs of others versus self as centre of the universe, and that's not helpful for our own health, or the health of the wider community.
Thanks for this, received by email just now. I hear you and it is a very pertinent and individual question for both those of us with a diagnosis of 'something' and those without any labels assigned to us - Where is the point or points where it's healthier to push against labels or push on despite a diagnosis to pursue your goals?
Conversely, where is the point at which a diagnosis serves and supports, creates more opportunity, not less? Are we limiting ourselves more in some ways through taking on new and evolving labels, than other generations did because they were not yet thinking in those terms? Interesting thoughts indeed....
I always love hearing your thoughts on every day life, Dr. A panini indeed! Personally, am not a fan of labelling and putting people in boxes. As humans I believe we are constantly evolving, and that is a good thing and I would be happier if more people pursued change, in that regard. Psychiatry loves a diagnosis, loves nothing more than to wrap someone up with a name tag and pop them in their respective box. Because this kind of thing can help certain personality types find their 'tribe' it can be beneficial, but the downside of that is that they may be misrepresented. I believe that people are multi faceted and are never only one thing at any one time. Australia, IMO, has no real cultural practices, thought there are religious/spiritual practices (and sports!!!?! ;) )and, to clarify, I am not including the many Indigenous cultural practices (that I hoped had the 2023 Referendum had a positive outcome we may all have had the benefit of). Therefore many young people, that is those under 30, have nothing to hang their hat on, so to speak, other than accumulating labels. I say let us all discover whom we are, with professional guidance or spiritual guidance or insight or a blend of those and more, but in doing so try to avoid any band wagon that may be going by. 'Group Think' only perpetuates a lack of curiosity, and serves those who want to control the zeitgeist, the status quo. It is vital to challenge that status quo every day. Rise up against complacency and have the only label be ones name. (stepping off my soap box now, Miss.)
Yes. The human desire to find belonging can be beautiful and rewarding and it's natural. At times however, it gets people into terrible trouble, trying to fit into really unhealthy cultures because they're cool at the time...mean trap for young players....