"毫无疑问，有意识和无意识自我的抵抗都在快乐原则的支配下运作。"

The main idea here is that both the conscious and unconscious parts of ourselves are driven by the desire to seek pleasure and avoid pain. It’s basically saying that our brains are wired to chase what feels good and steer clear of what doesn’t. This concept was highlighted by Sigmund Freud in his exploration of how human behavior is influenced by underlying psychological drives.

Freud introduced the pleasure principle as one of the core drivers of human behavior. He believed that from a very young age, we are motivated to pursue pleasure and avoid discomfort. This principle can be seen in how babies cry when they’re hungry but coo when they’re fed. They’re experiencing the pleasure of a full belly and the discomfort of hunger, and their actions are directed towards alleviating that discomfort. Over time, these basic instincts evolve but remain at the core of our behavior.

To see this in action, think about procrastination. Imagine you’ve got a big project due in a week. You know you should get started, but you keep putting it off. Why? Because sitting down to start feels overwhelming and stressful. So, you watch TV, scroll through social media, or do anything else that feels more enjoyable in the moment. Your conscious mind knows there’s a deadline, but the unconscious drive to avoid stress and seek immediate pleasure wins out. It’s only when the deadline looms closer and the stress of not completing the project outweighs the discomfort of starting, that you finally dive in.

Applying this wisdom to your own life means recognizing when the pleasure principle is at play. Whenever you find yourself avoiding something you know is important, pause and think about why. What immediate discomfort are you trying to dodge? What short-term pleasure are you chasing instead? If you can identify these patterns, you can start to override them. For instance, break the task into smaller, more manageable steps to reduce the initial discomfort. Reward yourself with a small treat or break after completing each step. This way, you’re still working within the pleasure principle, but you’re using it to your advantage.

Let’s paint a picture. Picture Sarah, a college student with a huge history paper due in two weeks. The thought of writing it makes her anxious. So, she keeps finding other things to do—tidying her room, calling her friends, binge-watching her favorite series. Each of these activities gives her immediate pleasure and helps her avoid the unpleasant task. But as the deadline approaches, her anxiety grows. Finally, she decides to tackle the paper. She breaks it down into sections, rewarding herself with a coffee break or a short walk after completing each part. By making the process more enjoyable and less daunting, she’s able to manage her anxiety and get the paper done on time.

In essence, recognizing how the pleasure principle influences you can help you take control of your actions. It’s about finding the balance between short-term pleasures and long-term goals. So, next time you’re putting something off, try to understand the underlying reasons and use small rewards to keep yourself motivated. It’s all about working with your brain’s natural tendencies, not against them.