Self-Concept This barrier has influenced my way of thinking my whole life. I have made money and I have been broke so I have experienced both life styles. Even as a child my parents made sure I was well dressed so now as an adult my appearance status remains important to me. I feel like I’m who I am meant to be when I have more money and feel like a failure when I don’t. But experiencing both life styles has helped me realize that I’m still the same person no matter how much money I have. The reading describes how your idea of self today may not be your idea of self tomorrow but you would still consider yourself the same person. I never really thought of it that way but it is true because one day I may define myself one way and define myself a different way on another day. And how would I define myself say in another 20 years. Thinking like this will help me overcome this barrier.
Depression
Depression has influence me many times. I’ve been depressed because of self-concept and many other reasons as well. Depression has caused me to make many bad decisions over the years. To overcome this influence I use several strategies which include talking to someone I trust and who can relate to my problem. This helps a lot because they can relate and may have solutions I haven’t thought of. I also avoid people who may increase my depression. Some people may unknowingly have their own barriers that would only make you feel worse. I also begin to think optimistically about certain things which helps even more if that person you talk to also has similar optimistic visions.
Stress I believe stress is what sometimes leads to my depression. I think all three of these barriers contribute to each other. The reading has mentioned some sources of stress such as unrealistic expectations
