"En chacun de nous il y a un autre que nous ne connaissons pas"

Ever feel like there's a part of you that's a mystery? That’s what this quote is getting at. It's about the hidden facets of ourselves—those parts we might not even realize exist. We all have this side, a stranger within us that can sometimes surprise even ourselves.

Historically, people have been fascinated by the idea that we have hidden depths. Think back to the early 1900s when Carl Jung, a famous psychologist, was exploring the concept of the "shadow," the unknown, darker side of our personality. Jung believed that everyone has this part of their psyche that lies beneath the surface, influencing our behaviors and decisions in ways we might not fully understand.

Let me give you a real-life example. Imagine you're at work. You've always thought of yourself as calm and rational under pressure. But then, one day, a project goes sideways. Suddenly, you find yourself snapping at a colleague, something you never thought you’d do. You're shocked—where did that come from? That's the 'other' within you that you didn’t know.

So how can you apply this wisdom in your life? Start with self-reflection. Take time to think about your reactions and behaviors, especially the ones that surprise you. Journaling can help. Write about those moments when you felt out of character. You might start to see patterns or triggers that you hadn't noticed before.

And here's a piece of advice: don’t be afraid to explore these hidden parts of yourself. It’s a bit like going on an adventure within your own mind. Sometimes, talking to a therapist or a trusted friend can help you uncover these aspects. They might see things you can’t.

Picture this: You're at a family gathering. Everything’s going well until your cousin makes a comment that stings. Normally, you’d brush it off, but today, you feel a surge of anger. You lash out. Later, you’re puzzled—why did that comment hit you so hard? Reflecting, you realize it reminded you of a past hurt, something you hadn’t dealt with. That’s your hidden self influencing your present.

This concept is like peeling an onion—there are layers to who we are. Embrace the process. It’s okay to discover things about yourself that you didn’t know. In fact, it’s more than okay—it’s necessary for growth.

So, next time you react in a way that surprises you, take a moment. Think about what’s really going on inside. Maybe there’s a part of you that’s trying to be heard, a side you haven’t met yet. Embrace it, learn from it, and understand that it’s all part of being human.