Actively engage in activities that foster creation, learning, and making things better, as this is a hallmark of mental health and leads to peace, contentment, and delight. This drive helps align with agency and gratitude, moving beyond aggressive and pleasure drives.
When facing challenges or seeking to improve mental health, systematically examine the ‘10 cupboards’ of the ‘structure of self’ (unconscious mind, defense mechanisms, conscious mind, character structure, self) and ‘function of self’ (self-awareness, defense mechanisms in action, salience, behavior, strivings). This structured approach helps identify specific areas for understanding and change.
Evaluate the balance of your aggressive, pleasure, and generative drives, aiming for the generative drive to be dominant and the others to subserve it. This assessment helps understand if drives are too high (leading to envy) or too low (leading to demoralization), guiding adjustments for healthier functioning.
Become aware of the ‘voices’ in your head, especially those rooted in childhood messages (direct or indirect) that may be causing self-denigration or overvaluing certain external achievements. By recognizing these as external or outdated opinions, you can separate them from your true self and reduce their impact.
Instead of suppressing intrusive thoughts, acknowledge them and understand their potential origins (e.g., trauma, acute problems needing attention). By taking the ’energy out of them’ through observation and understanding, they can dissipate and atrophy over time, becoming less troubling.
If interacting with a narcissist, establish strong boundaries or consider disengagement, as their behavior is rooted in deep vulnerability and is highly resistant to change by non-clinicians. This protects your well-being and prevents being drawn into their destructive patterns.
Actively build a sense of ‘I’ that is at center stage, understanding what you truly think and value, independent of others’ opinions or internalized messages. This foundational step underpins the ability to make conscious choices and exert agency.
If experiencing a lack of ability to engage with the world, make a difference, or find gratification, recognize this state of demoralization. This indicates that aggressive and/or pleasure drives may be too low, requiring self-inquiry to understand and re-engage with life’s pursuits.
If a job or career path causes deep frustration and leads to self-destructive behaviors (e.g., excessive drinking, time-wasting), consider if it’s blocking your generative drive. Understanding this disconnect can empower you to make significant changes, even if it means sacrificing prestige or income for contentment.
Consider professional therapy as a vital tool for enhancing mental health, similar to physical training for physical health. An excellent therapist can provide objective support and help uncover key insights for self-understanding and change.
Incorporate even short daily meditations, mindfulness trainings, or Yoga Nidra sessions into your routine. This can significantly improve mood, reduce anxiety, enhance focus, and boost memory, placing the brain in a state of enhanced readiness for mental and physical work.
Regularly question your ‘givens’ or assumptions about yourself and the world, especially when facing problems. This process helps uncover unconscious beliefs or internalized messages that may be hindering progress and allows for re-evaluation.
Recognize that excessive aggressive drive often manifests as an unhealthy need to exert control over others or situations, through intimidation, manipulation, or passive aggression. Identifying these patterns can help redirect this energy towards healthier, more assertive expressions.
Distinguish between rational aspiration (working hard in the present towards a desired future state) and covetous aspiration (simply wanting to possess an outcome without valuing the effort). True satisfaction and generative growth come from the process and effort, not just the end result.
Recognize social media as a powerful tool that, if overused (e.g., many hours daily), can become too salient and distract from generative pursuits or foster unhealthy self-perception. Assess if it’s leading to denial, avoidance, or rationalization, indicating an imbalance in drives.