Carl Jung said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate”—here’s why awareness isn’t optional—it’s essential for survival

For years, I felt like I was just going through the motions.

I was living a life that felt almost pre-destined.

You know the feeling:

• Being stuck in a rut.
• Feeling out of control.
• Questioning what it all means.
• Seeking purpose in the everyday.
• Trying to make sense of why things happen the way they do.

I’m Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and an ardent psychology enthusiast—my lowest ebb was about 4 years ago.

I was restless and I was constantly overthinking and had this nagging feeling of dissatisfaction.

It felt like there was something deep within me that was pushing me in directions I didn’t understand.

Turns out Carl Jung had nailed it when he said, “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”

In this article, I’m going to delve into why awareness isn’t optional.

It’s essential for survival and making the unconscious conscious can radically transform your existence:

1) Unraveling the unconscious

The first key concept that Carl Jung introduces is the idea of the unconscious mind.

It’s like this unseen force that’s constantly influencing our actions and decisions.

Often, it happens without us even realizing it.

This was a game changer for me.

I started to notice patterns in my behavior and my reactions to certain situations; I began to realize that these weren’t just random.

They were guided by deeply ingrained beliefs and experiences buried in my unconscious mind.

Being aware of our unconscious mind and its influence is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for survival.

It’s like having a compass in the wilderness of our own psyche.

I began to take time each day to sit quietly and reflect on my thoughts and feelings.

I started journaling—jotting down dreams, emotions, reactions—anything that could offer a glimpse into my unconscious mind.

When you start looking inward, you might be surprised at what you find.

The unconscious isn’t always comfortable territory, but exploring it can lead to profound self-understanding and personal growth.

Just remember: Don’t judge yourself for what you discover because the goal here is awareness.

By bringing the unconscious into the light of consciousness, we can start to take control of our lives instead of simply calling it ‘fate’.

2) Recognizing projections

Jung’s second concept that had a profound impact on me was his idea of projections.

According to Jung, we often project our own unconscious fears, desires, and beliefs onto others without realizing it.

I recall a time when I was constantly irritated by a colleague’s perceived arrogance; I later realized that what I was actually seeing was a reflection of my own hidden insecurities about my abilities.

This was my unconscious mind projecting onto him.

As the renowned psychologist Anaïs Nin once said, “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.”

This quote hit home for me.

I started to understand that my judgments of others were more about me than them.

It was a mirror into my own unconscious mind.

I began to challenge my own perceptions and judgments, and I asked myself, “Is this really about them, or is it about me?”

It wasn’t always easy to face these truths, but the awareness it brought was liberating.

Remember, becoming aware of our projections doesn’t mean we should beat ourselves up over them.

It only means we have a new tool to better understand ourselves and navigate our relationships more effectively.

3) The power of archetypes

The third Jungian concept that resonated deeply with me was the idea of archetypes.

Jung described archetypes as universal symbols or themes that reside in our collective unconscious.

These can include roles like ‘the mother’, ‘the hero’, or ‘the trickster’.

They often surface in our dreams and stories.

I remember a recurring dream where I was always trying to rescue someone in distress.

It was a classic example of the ‘hero’ archetype playing out.

This dream was a manifestation of the unconscious desire I had to be a savior in my waking life, often at the expense of my own needs.

Understanding the role of archetypes in my dream and life was like finding a hidden key to my unconscious mind.

It helped me understand why I behaved the way I did and allowed me to make conscious adjustments.

Realizing that I was overplaying the ‘hero’ role, I started setting healthier boundaries—I began taking better care of myself.

Archetypes are powerful tools for self-discovery.

By identifying your dominant archetypes, you can gain insights into your motivations, fears, and desires.

4) Understanding the shadow

Another transformative Jungian concept for me was the idea of ‘the shadow’.

This refers to parts of our personality that we’re either unaware of or choose to suppress because they don’t align with our self-image.

I used to have a quick temper but always brushed it off as being ‘passionate’.

It took a lot of self-reflection to recognize this as part of my shadow self—a part I was not proud of and tried to ignore.

Facing and integrating our shadow is not easy, but it’s essential for personal growth and self-awareness.

Once I acknowledged my quick temper, I was able to work on it.

It didn’t disappear overnight, but I became more aware of it and learned to manage it better.

5) The journey of individuation

The final Jungian concept that had a significant impact on me was the process of individuation.

This is the lifelong journey of becoming who we truly are, as opposed to who we think we should be.

I spent a lot of my early adult life trying to fit into societal norms and expectations; I often suppressed my own desires and needs in the process.

It was only when I stumbled upon Jung’s concept of individuation that I started to question this approach.

Individuation is about embracing all parts of ourselves—our strengths, our weaknesses, our conscious thoughts, and our unconscious desires.

It’s about integrating these aspects and becoming whole.

This journey is not a quick or easy one.

It requires constant self-reflection and courage to confront parts of ourselves we might prefer to ignore, but the reward is a life lived authentically and true to ourselves.

The journey of individuation has led me down a path of self-discovery and personal growth that I never imagined possible.

6) Embracing synchronicity

The sixth and final Jungian concept that profoundly impacted me was the idea of synchronicity.

Jung defined synchronicity as meaningful coincidences that occur in our lives, which are not explained by cause and effect.

I remember a time when I was contemplating a career change but was filled with doubt.

Then, out of the blue, I bumped into an old friend who had made a similar shift and was thriving.

This ‘coincidence’ gave me the courage to make the leap.

As the famous psychologist Albert Einstein once said, “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.”

These ‘coincidences’ or synchronous events are not random.

They’re messages from our unconscious guiding us towards our true path.

Synchronicity taught me to pay attention to the seemingly insignificant events in my life.

It opened my eyes to the subtle guidance from my unconscious; it helped me make choices more aligned with my authentic self.

7) The paradox of personal growth

The final Jungian concept that resonated with me was quite counterintuitive:

Personal growth isn’t always about adding—often, it’s about subtracting.

I always believed that self-improvement meant acquiring more knowledge, skills, or positive traits.

But Jung suggests that it’s just as important to let go of what doesn’t serve us anymore—be it outdated beliefs, harmful habits, or toxic relationships.

I remember when I was clinging to a friendship that was clearly draining me emotionally; I was afraid to let go, thinking it meant I was a failure.

But once I did, I felt a sense of relief and freedom.

It’s like pruning a tree—sometimes we need to cut off the dead branches for new ones to grow.

Here’s a practical exercise: Identify one thing in your life right now that’s not serving you.

It could be a habit, a belief, or even a relationship—reflect on why you’re holding onto it and what it would mean to let it go.

Personal growth is as much about unlearning and letting go as it is about learning and growing.

Conclusion

Understanding and making the unconscious conscious is a journey, not a destination.

It’s about continual self-discovery and personal growth.

These Jungian concepts have been a roadmap for me towards greater self-awareness.

They’ve helped me understand my motivations, confront my fears, and live more authentically.

But remember, awareness is just the first step.

The real transformation happens when we apply this awareness to our daily lives.

Personal growth takes time and is often filled with setbacks but, trust me, the journey is well worth it.