4 Signs of Living Under the Influence of Society: How to Build a Life Plan That Matches Your True Desires
In today's world, many of us find ourselves at forks in the road where the choice between our own paths in life and the expectations of others becomes inevitable.
How often do we ask ourselves, "Are we living our own lives, or are we simply following the path imposed upon us by others?"
In search of an answer to this question, we turn to clinical psychologists who see how people, faced with internal conflicts, try to understand their life plans, says Yulia Volimerets .
It often happens that we do not realize how much our goals and values are determined by external factors, primarily the influence of our parents.
The beliefs we learn in childhood can shape our worldview and even our professional and personal goals. But how do we know if our path and our aspirations are in line with our own nature? How do we know if we are simply becoming a pawn in a game where someone else is shaping our moves?
Sometimes the truth comes to us through a process of self-discovery, as it did for one client who realized during therapy that her desire to become a lawyer was more a fulfillment of her father's dream than her own. She realized that she had been following someone else's script, playing a role that did not bring her satisfaction.
These stories are not unique. Many of us find ourselves trapped by social expectations, cultural stereotypes, and peer pressure. We listen to the voices outside ourselves, forgetting about our own desires and needs.
Social norms and cultural demands can become an inexorable force that pushes us to make life decisions that are not always in line with our true nature.
It is important to ask ourselves questions and be willing to find out what is truly important to us. If we feel that our actions are not driven by our own desires, but by external pressure, it is worth considering whether we should continue on this path.
Ultimately, our own happiness and mental well-being depend on how true we are to ourselves and our true life plans.
Therefore, let us be attentive to ourselves, to our aspirations and convictions. Let our path be the one we have chosen ourselves, and not the one others have chosen for us.
A life filled with satisfaction and happiness is the goal of many of us. However, sometimes we find ourselves trapped in a script that does not correspond to our true desires and values. How do we know if we are following our own life script or if we are submitting to other people's expectations?
Here we can highlight four signs that may indicate that we are not living according to our own scenario, but under the influence of other people’s dreams.
The first sign is a feeling of dissatisfaction, even when achieving success. This feeling can accompany us in various areas of life, even with professional achievements.
The second sign is related to persistent thoughts that we could be happier doing something else. If these thoughts become constant, we may have chosen the wrong path.
The third sign is guilt or fear about changing your life, even if that change could lead to greater happiness and satisfaction.
The fourth sign involves feeling like we are living someone else's dreams rather than our own.
So what do we do if we find out that our life is not in line with our true desires?
It is important to start with self-reflection and understanding your own values and aspirations. It is recommended to contact a professional coach or psychologist to help you understand your true desires and motivations.
A meditation journal can be a tool for self-knowledge and a deeper understanding of yourself. In addition, setting personal boundaries with parents and social influences plays an important role in the process of realizing your own path.
Exploring our values can help us identify what is truly important to us. Identifying our four core values and relating them to our professional and personal decisions can help us understand whether we are following our own script or conforming to external expectations.
Thus, awareness of true desires and values, as well as setting personal boundaries, will help us make a decision and start living for real, following our own life scenario.
Whether you ignore your values or you still begin to follow, of course, search for a support system in the form of friends, perhaps even mentors or a psychologist, here all this in the form of a coach can provide you with support and confirmation of your choice.
For example, here is one of my clients who overcame the fear of disapproval. Born into a family of physicists, he faced contradictions between his true desires and his parents' expectations.
It was only when he decided to experiment with art that he found true happiness and satisfaction. This incident highlights the importance of self-understanding and letting go of the fear of disappointing others.
The importance of analyzing and implementing your own life plan. This requires not only the courage to reject imposed norms, but also the understanding that our happiness and mental health are more important than meeting other people's expectations.
Psychological self-examination, understanding our desires and values, and freeing ourselves from external limitations allow us to build a more satisfying and authentic life.
Imposed norms in order to start following your true desire and when you begin to free yourself from external expectations and only then can you bring your life in line with your authentic self and as a clinical psychologist I can attest that living in accordance with your values in accordance with your desires is crucial for long-term happiness and for self-realization.
Previously, it was reported what divorced women regret.
