Introduction. Though it sounds like something from a textbook, one of those psychological phrases is actually a protective mechanism we all employ—regardless of awareness. Fundamentally, introjection is the process of absorbing negative emotions or ideas from others then turning them against ourselves. Imagine yourself thinking if your mother is right when she says, “You’re not good enough.” That is introspection at the workplace. Read more!

Why then should this be happening? Introjection, thus, is usually motivated by anxiety. By absorbing the comments rather than confronting them head-on, one avoids confrontation or conflict. The trouble is, introjection influences us in subtle ways as well as in clear-cut forms. It can creep into our self-talk, our decisions, even our relationships. That negative voice in your head telling you, “You’re not good enough,” or “You’ll never succeed,” seems like it. That’s introjection, then.

The difficult aspect of introjection is that it does not limit one idea. It can whirl into a negative spiral of self-doubt. Before you realize it, you are not only juggling your own ideas but also those you have received from others—such as those of your parents, friends, or even total strangers on social media. It’s like assuming many other people’s opinions without even noticing it.

This is where it becomes somewhat fascinating: introjection does not occur only in one direction. We are releasing good ideas even as we are absorbing bad ones. It’s like having a two-way dialogue in your head, in which case you are the listener as well as the speaker. Especially for your own value, this back-and-forth might make it difficult to view things clearly.

Let me now discuss the reasons this is important. Your mental health suffers greatly from introjection. If you ignore it, it might cause anxiety, low self-esteem, even depression. The good news is that introjection is not a lifetime condition of being. You can learn to identify when it is occurring and act to challenge it.

Developing self-awareness is among the finest approaches to address introjection. That includes listening to your inner monologue and considering whether that negative thought is truly yours or something you have picked up from others. It also relates to establishing limits with regard to oneself and others. It is not your obligation to endure the negativity of someone who often says things that hurt you simply because you love them.

Still another factor to take into account is the part empathy plays in all this. Seeing the other side of an argument or conflict can be difficult under introjection. Approaching problems with empathy, however, helps you to understand where someone else is coming from—even if their comments are nasty. It’s about realizing they might be driven from a place of uncertainty or anxiety themselves, not about agreeing with them.

Not to mention the value of community and support either. Counteracting introjection is simpler when surrounded by individuals who support you and gently challenge you. It’s like having a squad of cheerleaders reminding you of your strengths when the negative voices become loud.

This is a lighthearted little story: One person I ever heard say their father used to tell them they would never be anything. They believed him, or at least let his words occupy space in their head, for years. Then they became aware of how such ideas were restricting them. They started to wonder why they had such opinions about themselves and came to see it was not really theirs. Their dad had stated that, and they had no need to hang on to it going forward.

That’s the ability of reflection. You can determine if these negative ideas belong in your head or not by looking at their sources. And should they not, you can decide to let them go—akin to what you would do with an old closet.

In essence, introjection is a remarkable and rather deceptive protection mechanism that each of us deals with in some form. It’s not something to beat yourself about; it’s simply natural. However, if it begins to feel as like it is holding you back, it is also something worth observing. Self-awareness, sensitivity, and a little help will help you to negotiate introjection and lead a more real, positive life. And keep in mind, should you ever find yourself caught in that negative cycle: it is not your only residence. You may open the door and walk outside.