"À l'origine, le moi inclut tout, plus tard, il se détache de lui-même le monde extérieur."

Imagine you’re born into the world with a sense that everything around you is an extension of yourself. You cry, and someone feeds you; you smile, and everyone around you lights up. You’re the center of your universe, and all your needs seem magically met. That’s the core idea here. Your ego, at first, embraces everything around you. As you grow, you start seeing yourself as separate from the world. You begin to understand that there’s a distinction between 'you' and 'everything else.'

This idea comes from Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, who had a knack for diving deep into the human psyche. He believed that as infants, we don't have a clear sense of self. Over time, we separate our identity from the external world. This separation is crucial for developing a healthy, functioning ego — a sense of self that can navigate the complex social world.

Let’s take a real-life example. Think of a child learning to walk. At first, they might believe that their parent holding their hand is just an extension of themselves. The parent’s support feels like an integral part of their own body. As the child gains confidence, they take those first few wobbly steps without the hand. It's a moment of profound realization — "I can do this on my own. I’m separate."

So how do you apply this bit of wisdom in everyday life? Start by recognizing the boundaries between yourself and others. It’s easy to get entangled in relationships, work, or even your digital presence, thinking that all these external aspects define you. But they don’t. Your essence — your core self — is distinct. Understanding this can help you develop healthier relationships, avoid burnout, and maintain a sense of inner peace. The next time you feel overwhelmed, remind yourself: You are not your job, your social media likes, or even your relationships. You are you, separate and whole.

Let’s paint a scenario to drive this home. Picture Sarah, a young professional who’s just landed her dream job. She throws herself into work, her identity slowly blending with her professional role. Late nights at the office, constant emails, her phone buzzing at dinner — she feels indispensable. But then, burnout hits. Sarah realizes she’s lost touch with who she is outside of work. She takes a step back, reconnects with hobbies, and spends time with friends and family. She understands that her job is just one part of her life, not the whole.

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to let our ego get intertwined with the external. But take a cue from Sarah. Find moments to detach and remind yourself of the boundary between your inner self and the outer world. Embrace the hobbies that make you feel alive, nurture relationships that build you up, and remember that setbacks in your external world don’t define you. They’re just part of the journey, helping you grow.

Think of your ego as a tree. Its roots are your core self, deeply grounded, while the branches reach out to the world, touching but not becoming everything around them. So, nurture those roots, and let your branches explore. Life’s a blend of staying connected and knowing when to detach.