Reflections on Analysis: August 12th, 2024

I haven't written on here in a while. I'm not sure why I feel compelled to do so, other than that this feels like a safe spot to put this out into the world. I don't normally do very well with keeping a diary, and I'm also trying to get used to the idea of publishing things attached to my identity (for reasons I suppose you'll read here).

I started going to Jungian analysis not too long ago. My first official session (aka, not consultation) was last Friday. I thought I would share some of the insights I had in case people wanted to know what a Jungian analysis session was like or in case you may somehow find these reflections at all helpful in sparking reflection of your own.

My problems

I would say my problems are not so great, which is what compelled me to start Jungian analysis. I think if I had more pressing, acute psychological issues, analysis wouldn't be the best place to start. But I have already had a year or two of other therapy, and I feel emotionally stable.

I am facing a crossroads regarding my career and vocation. I am working through the process of applying to law schools this fall. But I feel very unsure that that is what I'm meant to do. It feels like it would be a path that is completely inauthentic to me. It's not that I don't think I would be good at it or anything, but it just feels *wrong* to me. It doesn't feel like the right fit. But there's a lot of outside pressure that is encouraging me to go this route—namely, my parents, who are both lawyers and actually met in law school. Also, my sister is a lawyer now too. It's not just my family that is pushing me; it feels like the whole world wants me to do that. I think it's because it's a very concrete thing.