Limits to introspection

Understanding yourself is the key to a fulfilled life.
Some of us try to understand ourselves by means of introspection - examining our thoughts and feelings.
Even though introspection can be a useful tool, it has its limits.
The true self-discovery happens in the external world, where we test our behaviour against external stimuli.
Music:
Ack Varmeland, Du Skona (60s Pop Version) - The Shakeabouts
Miss Moreau - Leimoti
Coalescence - Airae
Footage:
Private archive, filmed at the Baltic Sea
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@karo_sowinska
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[@BogdanGavr]

So true. In my own search I have reached a conclusion that introspection works till that point when you have processed all the information that there was in your head related to the topic in question. And then you need more information. And if the question that you are trying to answer is about you, then the only way to get more information about yourself is through your own experience. So you have to go and try things, this will then inform your brain with new data for introspection.

[@freemind.d2714]

Introspection is a tool which mainly telling me what I don't want do and what I shouldn't do from my past; In order to find out what I want do and what I should do in future, I choose to learning from other's experience (mainly books and internet) and try it out for things I feel interested, this process took me nearly four years, and I finally find out my true passions year ago. Thinking without learning will end up confusing, learning without trying usually lead to boring.

[@karolinasowinska]

It's good to learn from other people's experiences for sure! I'm glad that you found your true passion by trying various things out! :)

[@TejasEkawade]

Very well put. I faced something similar and my introspection increased significantly during the lockdown. And I have also come to the same conclusion that only by doing things you can experience happiness instead of thinking continuously which many a times leads to false expectations. And only when we start doing things do we break this unhealthy habit of excessive introspection.

[@diahidvegi8536]

Watching this feels like we are having a super interesting conversation, except that you already have all the right answers so I'm just sitting, nodding, and wondering, how come you are so on point and that we have so much in common. Haha! Incredible video, very smart of you to formulate the question around the effectiveness of introspection. Somehow by learning that it is actually not always effective, I already have a sense of relief. I often have a very similar whisper in my head "I shouldn't be writing code, I should be writing music".. but in the end, I love what I do now, and if I'm really uncertain, I should just put it to the test. Such a useful message! :)

[@karolinasowinska]

I'm really glad that the message from the video provides a sense of relief. That's exactly what understanding ourselves should do - help us reach the inner peace, or in other words, happiness:)

[@thedevlife]

As you may already know I love watching your videos. This one was very deep. A lot of people live on auto-pilot mode and do not take the time to slow down and get to know themselves, they are taken by the “current” of life and end up surprised when they get old. On the other hand, there others (I consider myself to be in this group) who dwell too much and do too much “introspection.” They/we wonder too much about the past and the “what if’s” Bottom line I agree we need to find a balance of how much we look inward, although this might hard for some to achieve.

[@karolinasowinska]

Absolutely, you're very right that both extremes are potentially harmful. I believe that the balance you're referring to is "introspective action" - doing things, but being aware of what you're doing and being attuned to how it makes you think and feel!

[@bhuvaneshrao6322]

That clarity after the experience is very satisfying.

[@karolinasowinska]

Absolutely! Inner peace equals happiness.

[@karolinasowinska]

@Fred Manson I'm glad you're enjoying them! :)

[@andytheindividual3862]

I'm excited to watch this when I get off work.

[@karolinasowinska]

I hope you'll find it interesting!

[@19DavidVilla96]

That video touched me.

[@karolinasowinska]

Thank you for deciding to watch it!

[@19DavidVilla96]

@@karolinasowinska Thank you for deciding to comment!

[@stardustchimp375]

I have tried many things and I have learned that the human mind will make you procrastinate forever all to avoid one thing which is as valuable as gold: *Discipline*

[@karolinasowinska]

Very true! It's even more true, if we try to be disciplined about something that we're not truly passionate about.

[@bmav007]

This was SO helpful for me today! I have been having these same whispers that I am on the wrong path. I currently work in e-commerce but have been feeling like it is my destiny to pursue a dream in music. I realize now that I have just been relying on introspection to solve this problem rather than getting out and trying it to see if I feel right about it. Thanks for your wisdom! I guess I will give it a try and see what happens 😉

[@karolinasowinska]

I sometimes forget about the deceitfulness of introspection myself. But your comment reminded me about this, thanks!

[@bmav007]

Yeah, it makes me realize I could be missing some opportunities for fulfillment right in front of me or branch out to other interests I have missed by looking inside too much. Now that you helped me realize that I also feel like there are a lot more doors I could walk through! Thanks!

[@ChaosArtist]

Interesting video. I've had a similar dilemma between tech and writing. For the past few years, I have continued to write on the side instead of creating projects in my spare time. I think it has negatively affected my finances to focus on writing instead of tech on the side but it gives me levels of fulfilment, meaning and creativity that is different from what I experience in tech. I also introspect a lot and I think what you're saying is true, you cannot really understand something or yourself just by thinking about it.

[@karolinasowinska]

That's very interesting... ah, these things are still unresolved for me! Are you happy with your decision to focus on writing on the side?

[@ChaosArtist]

@@karolinasowinska I have my days where I wonder what the hell am I doing and why am I investing so much time, energy and money into my writing. However, it has helped me to reconnect myself with parts of myself I never knew I suppressed and to deal with childhood trauma I wasn't aware I even experienced. I have started to write graphic novel type books which connects with my love of animation as a child. I get a lot from when people connect with what I write because it makes me feel less alone and more connected to other people. I generally feel lighter and more connected to myself as a result of pursuing the writing path.

[@karolinasowinska]

@@ChaosArtist It sounds very valuable to you. I have a feeling that additional money would not bring you as much fulfillment. Thanks for sharing, your experience is quite inspiring :)

[@ChaosArtist]

@@karolinasowinska I think you're right about the money. Thank you.

[@denismerigold486]

understanding yourself is very important

[@karolinasowinska]

Absolutely!

[@LaDivisionDeAriza]

I just had the very same dilemma, but with music instead of writing, and you just put in words all my thoughts about. Great video. Also, sure you could try cool creative writing stuff using AI. 🙂

[@karolinasowinska]

It's reassuring to hear that I'm not the only one who has had similar thoughts/experiences. What conclusion did you come to for yourself? :)

[@khalidsultani6006]

yes you are right about the pragmatic choice, but it is important to live a normal life without any needs.

[@karolinasowinska]

I don't encourage pragmatic choices, but I definitely encourage taking action and testing your ideas about yourself in reality!

[@khalidsultani6006]

Karolina Sowinska ♥️thank you for this great video🥰

[@Robi2009]

Komentarz dla zasięgu BTW, ale drewna :)

[@karolinasowinska]

Tyle drewna, ile ścieżek do przetestowania! :)

[@section9999]

Today's episode was brought to you in part by Nike! Just do it.. ✔

[@karolinasowinska]

Nike is right!

[@SensatioNEO]

First

[@kalvincelcius7624]

Why did this video make me hungry? Is there something wrong with me 😂

[@karolinasowinska]

Interesting... I'm glad this video helped you to understand something about yourself 😂!

[@BillyDTourist]

I disagree on two notes. You are supposed to set a time frame for a new activity you try of when you will make the next evaluation. Usually when you start a new hobby you would be terrible at it and there is the typical competence scale you have to overcome first before you make a decision on whether it is for you or not. Sorry the story about you was very 'little' and maybe you already know this but the message about the approach to try things is kind of vague? Other than that nice video and I believe that the "it made me feel constantly should I do this or that , am I wasting my life or not " is another issue I believe and I would call it time anxiety. Other than that a nice video, I like the image of walking to show progress. Other than that, always love to watch the sea... Keep it up

[@karolinasowinska]

Thanks for the feedback, as always, it means a lot! I intuitively knew the things you mentioned, so I'm glad you pointed them out - it motivates me to pay attention to such intuition next time. I could deliver this message in dozen ways, perhaps I didn't choose the perfect one! About setting the time frame - of course when it comes to picking up new hobbies, that would be necessary. But I meant exposing yourself to various stimuli in broader context. For example seeing how you'd react faced with an unethical choice that benefits you materially. You don't need a time frame for that. But this only convinces me that the story I picked was not the most well thought out one!

[@BillyDTourist]

@@karolinasowinska I would have expected at least a competence - awareness graph of learning a skill to be satisfied if that makes sense, rather than the financial term of it being cost effective or not ! Other than that, that time anxiety seems to be a bigger issue and there is no specific way to shut it down other than being happy in yourself I would think because no matter what you do you can always keep grinding to get better. Thanks for the swift reply, no sleep for the wicked on Sundays yes ? Traveling is also important I think. It helps us reset and gain new perspective on our current situation , by letting us have a break and being exposed to new stimuli too (damn you work from home covid world)

[@karolinasowinska]

@@BillyDTourist Time anxiety is a much more difficult concept to deal with, because ultimately it boils down to a philosophical question - what's the point of living? And travelling is such a effective way to get to know yourself precisely because of the plethora of stimuli that you get exposed to, like you mentioned. Ain't no rest for the wicked, you got me! ;)

[@jonathan-._.-]

hmm introspection havent done that in a while oO - but then again I dont really have any open questions

[@karolinasowinska]

Perhaps you just understand yourself enough, so the questions don't come up!

[@jonathan-._.-]

@@karolinasowinska or. So little i don't even know to ask the question :p

[@karolinasowinska]

@@jonathan-._.- Haha this could be the other option!

[@candyfloss184]

Self obsession?. Rahu...remember?

[@karolinasowinska]

It's important to understand yourself, but it definitely shouldn't become an obsession!

[@candyfloss184]

Karolina Sowinska you got control on ur rahu...I like the way u can control ur thoughts.