Progress Begins With Honest Self-Reflection
Created at: July 9, 2025
To move forward, you must first question where you stand. — Clarissa Pinkola Estés
The Necessity of Self-Inquiry
Clarissa Pinkola Estés emphasizes the importance of questioning one’s own position before attempting any forward movement. By urging us to pause and assess where we stand, she highlights that progress is not possible without understanding our present reality. This echoes Socrates’ advice—'Know thyself'—which suggests that true wisdom starts with self-knowledge.
Mapping Your Internal Landscape
Building on this, examining where we stand involves taking an honest inventory of our thoughts, values, and assumptions. Like a traveler consulting a map before embarking on a journey, we must become aware of our strengths and limitations. Estés, known for her work on women’s psychology in 'Women Who Run with the Wolves' (1992), often illustrates how characters in myths face turning points only after confronting their current state.
Transformation Begins With Awareness
Once we have established our starting point, genuine transformation can begin. Recognizing obstacles—whether internal doubts or external challenges—enables us to make informed decisions about our next steps. For instance, in Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey framework, heroes must face and accept their circumstances before transformation is possible, suggesting that growth is contingent on honest self-assessment.
The Role of Questioning in Personal Growth
Questioning our stance is not an act of self-doubt but a necessary pause for deeper understanding. Continually reassessing our motivations and beliefs fosters growth and adaptability. In psychotherapy, reflective questioning is central to uncovering subconscious motivations, a concept rooted in Jungian psychology, which Estés frequently draws upon.
From Self-Awareness to Purposeful Action
Ultimately, acknowledging where we stand empowers us to choose our direction with purpose. Rather than moving forward blindly, self-reflection equips us with clarity and intention. It ensures that our actions align with our true values and aspirations, paving the way for meaningful change. Thus, Estés’ advice invites us not merely to act, but to act with conscious awareness of who we are and where we wish to go.