Self-insight and the value of Applied Psychology

Mar 10, 2008 - 15:08 PM PST

So as I wrote before, I'm taking an Applied Psychology class where we talk about ourselves and our relationships, which, for an introvert and someone who suffers from anxiety, is really the worst possible way to spend 3 hours a week. But as far as revelations go, this one homework assignment got to me. It was fairly simple, we did an extremely basic personality evaluation and then we had to determine our polar opposite (our shadow, for those into Jungian psychology) and write about what we value in those traits that we repress from expressing. Here are the descriptions of both, and then I'll give my answer.

ISFP

Retiring, quietly friendly, sensitive, modest about their abilities. Shun disagreements, do not force their opinions or values on others. Usually do not care to lead but are often loyal followers. May be rather relaxed about assignments or getting things done, because they enjoy the present moment and do not want to spoil it by undue haste or exertion.

ENTJ

Hearty, frank, decisive, leaders in activities. Usually good in anything that requires reasoning and intelligent talk, such as public speaking. Are well-informed and keep adding to their fund of knowledge. May sometimes be more positive and confident than their experience in an area warrants.

Frankly I think the first one is fighteningly dead on, which doesn't sound so bad minus being told I'm a lazy bastard by a crappy eight dollar book. But my shadow just seems so weird. I've heard people like this exist, but I've never had the opportunity to actually see one. It's like finding a leprechaun. And according to Jung, this is the kind of person I would be if I just embraced all of the things I'm too afraid to see myself doing. I wish I could make up my mind on things without the use of a coin and my thumb. I would be overjoyed if I could speak to a group without feeling like I'm standing in a sauna. I want to know what it's like to be annoyingly optomistc and not a wallflower. And really, what's so hard about putting myself out there without any fear of consequence? Oh yeah...everything.

I wish other people could take this and look at themselves and their shadows. More than that, I wish that they were all afraid when they looked at the person that they hide away from the world that they're capable of being. But most of all, I wish that it didn't scare me so much when I thought about the work it would take to make myself a better person.