Understanding the Forces Within You.

I’ve often wondered about the nature of the inner voice we all hear—whether it’s the Holy Spirit, the soul, or something else entirely. If it’s intangible, does it truly exist? That question lingered in my mind one quiet day during a lecture, as I sat near a window overlooking the city mortuary. Deep in thought about life and mortality, someone from the back of the room suddenly asked a question that echoed my own thoughts—it pulled me right back into the discussion.

Putting aside religious interpretations, I find Sigmund Freud’s model of the psyche to be a compelling explanation. While I don’t fully agree with his psychosexual development theory, his concept of the conscious and unconscious mind resonates with me. Freud divided the human psyche into three parts: the Id, the Ego, and the Super-Ego, each playing a distinct role in our mental life.

To break it down:

• The Id is our primal side. It operates on the pleasure principle, seeking instant gratification—whether through food, sex, or other impulses. It’s irrational, impulsive, and unconscious. If unchecked, the Id can drive destructive behavior, as it has no regard for consequences or morality.
• The Ego is the rational part of us—the voice of reason. It’s what we consciously identify with and is shaped by our interaction with the world. The Ego mediates between the Id’s desires and what is socially acceptable, working under the reality principle.
• The Super-Ego is our moral compass. It internalizes societal values and ideals, creating a sense of right and wrong. It rewards us with pride when we act ethically and punishes us with guilt when we don’t. Think of it as the strict parent, while the Ego is more like a reasonable friend trying to keep peace between the two.

Here’s a simple scenario:

• Id: I want that designer couch because it’ll look great on Instagram.
• Super-Ego: I can’t afford that couch—I have more important financial priorities.
• Ego: I’ll pay my bills first, then save up. If I still want the couch later, I can buy it.

The Ego also uses defense mechanisms to protect itself when the Super-Ego becomes overwhelming—like a timeout to reset balance. But when one part dominates too much, it drains our mental energy and can lead to psychological issues.

Therapy helps us trace these imbalances back to their roots—often early experiences—and reshape the unhealthy defenses we’ve developed. As balance is restored within the psyche, positive changes follow, and we begin to feel more whole.

I hope this helped clarify things a bit. You can explore more about Freud’s personality theory through the links below.

link- Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc