5 brutal truths about the mind…

During a recent seminar, we broached the topic of psychology and some blind spots that we must all b aware of; here are my cliff notes.

1. We are not as rational as we think. Most decisions are driven by emotion, habit, and unconscious biases. Reasoning often comes after the fact, as a way to justify choices we’ve already made.
2. The mind lies to protect the ego. Defense mechanisms—denial, projection, rationalization—exist to shield your self-image, but they distort reality and relationships.
3. Most people don’t fully know themselves. The “self” you think you know is a story stitched together from limited awareness. Others often see aspects of you more clearly than you do.
4. People rarely change without pain. True personal change usually requires discomfort, crisis, or loss. Motivation is often born out of suffering, not comfort.
5. Happiness is fleeting. The brain is wired for hedonic adaptation: wins and losses both fade, and the baseline mood returns. Lasting happiness usually comes from meaning, not pleasure.

The italics are powerful words that I intend to reflect on. What are my biasses and how do I justify them? What blind spots do I have in my reflection of self image? In what aspects of my life can I be more self-aware? What is the real process of comfort? What connections can I see between happiness and meaning in my own life?