This last introspection will be titled: I Like Me, But I’d Change This About Me
Much like the first two, this introspection addresses YOU, but now from the standpoint of what you can do and what you want to do to change who you are. This want can be anything that you’ve previously discussed in previous introspections or be something completely novel.
You’ll write this introspection much the same way as you write the first, but in this present case, you may write about who you were before the wanted change, who you are during the wanted change (i.e. how are you going to do it), and finally who you will be after the wanted change. Discuss the change about yourself using psychology. In a simple sense, psychology is the science that studies affects, behaviors, cognitions, and perceptions. Which of these phenomena do you want to change about yourself?
Remember, do not describe the wanted change about yourself physically. For example, try for something like: “I want to be a more emphatic person because…”.
Again, you will be using what Wilhelm Wundt, father of psychology, called introspection. Introspection is the first method used in the science of psychology. It is simply defined as, “looking inward”. How will this change have an effect on you when you look inward?
Another perspective may be from Sigmund Freud. Freud used psychoanalytic techniques such as dream analysis and humor interpretation to look inward and define who we are and how we change ourselves from exposure to our environment.
Yet another perspective is that of William James, the father of American psychology. He developed the view of psychology called functionalism which is concerned with measuring what humans “do”. What do you now do due to intentional change? Who are you now?
Any of these perspectives can be used for introspection, you may also write it in any form you choose. A letter, a poem, a formal or informal essay, that is up to you.
Do NOT use jargon! Write the introspection in your own words, using your own language. The main point of these introspections is for you to learn more about yourself by using this exercise. This exercise is about you, for you.