Psychology: People Constantly Change, Evolving With Circumstances
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Chilean psychologist Pilar Sordo asserts that human personality is not static and constantly evolves based on experiences and circumstances.
- She emphasizes that internal dialogue shapes self-esteem and worldview, highlighting the importance of mindful self-narration for mental health.
- Sordo also warns about the degradation of vocabulary due to technology, which can hinder the expression of complex emotions and lead to frustration.
Human beings are in a constant state of flux, with our personalities evolving continuously in response to life's events, according to Chilean psychologist and writer Pilar Sordo. "We change all the time," she stated, emphasizing that personal growth is intrinsically linked to embracing change. "It would be sad if experiences didn't change you," Sordo remarked during a recent discussion, underscoring that evolution is a natural consequence of our circumstances.
We change all the time.
Sordo's research highlights that personal development hinges on accepting one's own vulnerability. This acceptance allows individuals to shed rigid structures and embrace new ways of being. Successful maturation, she explained, stems from the ability to integrate external changes with one's internal reality. "We are evolving because we depend on circumstances," she noted, illustrating this with her own experience of being anxious in some situations and calm in others, or organized in certain aspects of life and disorganized in others.
The psychologist identified internal dialogue as the most fundamental unit of mental health. "How you talk to yourself defines your self-love and your vision of the world," Sordo explained, adding that this inner conversation directly influences confidence and resilience in the face of uncertainty. She advises paying close attention to personal narratives to bolster self-esteem, as the way individuals recount their own stories significantly impacts their psychological well-being and social interactions.
It would be sad if experiences didn't change you.
Furthermore, Sordo raised concerns about the impact of technology and visual resources on language. Citing psychiatrist Josรฉ Luis Marรญn, she warned that a reduced vocabulary can lead to emotional distress. "We get sick from a lack of vocabulary," she stated, explaining that a scarcity of terms impedes the expression of complex feelings and generates frustration. "We have reduced the number of words we use," she detailed, lamenting, "We are talking less. We are using less vocabulary when we speak."
We are evolving because we depend on circumstances.
For Sordo, genuine conversation requires a willingness to be transformed by what the other person says. "Conversation must have that challenge where I expose myself to transform with what you tell me. Otherwise, it turns into a kind of intermittent monologue," she concluded. She also touched upon the acceptance of suffering as a part of maturity, noting that contemporary society often avoids uncomfortable situations, but embracing crises is essential for growth.
How you talk to yourself defines your self-love and your vision of the world.
Originally published by La Naciรณn in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.