What Jung Knew About Being Young: 5 Key Takeaways
by Jack Vaughan
Individuation, synchronicity, persona, archetype, shadow…it is nearly impossible to imagine what the world of behavioral healthcare would be like today without these words, let alone the work of their creator, Carl G. Jung. Apart from building the foundation that much of modern psychology stands on, Jung’s work is particularly relevant when it comes to understanding the hearts and minds of young adults. In this blog, we'll explore five key takeaways from Jung's work and how they specifically pertain to young adulthood.
1. The Importance of Individuation
At the core of Jung's theory of psychological development is the concept of individuation, which he described as "the process by which a person becomes a psychological 'in-dividual,' that is, a separate, indivisible unity or 'whole.'" This movement toward unity is vital for young adults, especially as they navigate the tricky transition from childhood to adulthood.
For parents, teachers, and mentors alike, the more we support a young person’s need to differentiate themselves from us, the more we give them the tools of real independence. While it can be difficult and even scary to watch a young person make choices that differ from our own, Jung reminds us that it is a necessary part of their psychological development. He wrote, "The greatest tragedy of the family is the unlived lives of the parents." And I would also add that the “unlived lives” of anyone supporting a young person runs the risk of undermining the very nature of the help being given.
Ultimately, we cannot support young adults in their individuation process until we encourage them to fully explore their passions, values, and beliefs for themselves, while also providing them with a safe and supportive environment in which they can process setbacks and make mistakes. As Jung reminds us, “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are."
2. The Power of The Unconscious
Another breakthrough of Jung's work was his emphasis on the role of the unconscious mind and how it shapes our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Jung believed that the unconscious was not merely a repository of repressed memories and desires, but also a source of creativity, insight, and spiritual growth. Additionally, it is a wellspring of mysterious forces that shapes the trajectory of our lives just as much as our conscious mind, if not more. As Jung wrote, "Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate."
For young people, who are in the midst of developing their conscious identities, the unconscious can be a particularly powerful and perplexing force. One thing we would be wise to remind them is the importance of self-knowledge and how our ability to reach our potential is fundamentally limited by the degree to which we know ourselves and our unconscious tendencies.
When we hold space for young adults and encourage them to shed light on their unconscious habits and behaviors, we can help their self-knowledge grow by leaps and bounds.
3. The Sacred Inner Life
In a culture that is obsessed with likes and followers, Jung's emphasis on the importance of the inner life can be a refreshing counterpoint for young adults to consider. Jung believed that true fulfillment and meaning could only be found by turning inward and exploring the depths of one's own psyche. He wrote, "Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes."
As parents, teachers, and mentors, we can help young adults cultivate a rich inner life by encouraging them to engage in activities that promote self-reflection and introspection. We can also demonstrate a commitment to our own inner lives, showing young people that it is possible to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life that is not solely defined by external markers of success.
4. The Shadow and Persona
One of the most intriguing aspects of Jung's work was his concept of the shadow -- the parts of ourselves that we repress or deny because they are too painful or shameful to acknowledge. Jung believed that we all have a shadow, and that the process of individuation requires us to confront and integrate these rejected aspects of ourselves. The persona, on the other hand, is the mask we wear in public, the face we present to the world. Jung wrote, "The persona is a complicated system of relations between individual consciousness and society, fittingly enough a kind of mask, designed on the one hand to make a definite impression upon others, and, on the other, to conceal the true nature of the individual."
For young adults, who are often under intense pressure to conform to social norms and expectations, their shadow and persona can be particularly challenging to navigate. We can help young adults recognize their shadows and personas by creating a safe and non-judgmental space for them to explore the parts of themselves that they may be ashamed of as well as the parts of themselves that they are eager to project out onto the world. We can also model a willingness to embrace our own shadows and personas, demonstrating that it is possible to have compassion for our flaws and imperfections.
5. The Art of Meaning
Finally, Jung believed that the ultimate goal of the individuation process was to find meaning and purpose in life. As young people enter adulthood, it can be all too easy for them to place meaning on extrinsic rewards like job titles, promotions, salary, etc. However, as Jung wrote, "The least of things with a meaning is worth more in life than the greatest of things without it." Jung reminds us here that satisfaction in life is about deriving the right amount of meaning from the right things.
When we encourage young people to reflect on what gives them a sense of purpose, we give them the opportunity to mindfully define what meaning looks like to them and the role it has in their life. We can also lovingly push back on whatever extrinsic rewards they are seeking and encourage them to dive beneath the surface of their superficial desires to find what really makes them passionate.
While the work of Carl Jung contains insights for all ages, it is especially important to consider when it comes to supporting the psychological and emotional wellbeing of young adults. With the use of concepts like individuation, the unconscious, the inner life, the shadow, the persona, and the importance of meaning, we can help young adults navigate the many trials of young adulthood with compassion and understanding.
At YPM, we have had the privilege of working with families across the globe. With bespoke services and state-of-the-art care, YPM is here to help young adults and their families develop the skills required to handle life’s challenging transitions and achieve their full potential.