The waiting phase prevents a person from growing mentally

    Hi, today I would like to share about the interesting topic, namely "The waiting phase prevents a person from growing mentally", the main reason why I choose that topic because not everyone is aware about the phase where they get into it, If we pay attention, those who do not pay attention to the direction in which their life is developing, they tend to enter a waiting phase,  The waiting phase is often a period of uncertainty, yet also a transitional space for growth. Psychologically, this is not merely a pause in time, but a mental state in which a person feels their life is being ‘held back’ by external factors or unresolved decisions.

The following are the factors that cause a person to enter this phase and how psychology views them:

Factors Leading to the Waiting Phase

 *Ambiguity of Purpose: Uncertainty regarding the next step following an achievement (for example, after graduating or completing a major project).

 *External Dependency: Waiting for validation or a decision from another party, such as recruitment results, bureaucratic approval, or a response in an interpersonal relationship.

 *Defence Mechanism (Avoidance): Sometimes, waiting becomes a form of subconscious procrastination to avoid the risk of failure that might occur if they move forward.

 *Lack of Resources: Feeling that one does not yet have sufficient capacity (financial, mental, or skills) to begin the next stage.

Psychological Perspectives on the Waiting Phase

In psychological discourse, this phase is often viewed from several key perspectives:

1. Liminality (The In-Between Space)

The concept of liminality describes the condition of being ‘on the threshold’. A person is no longer in their old position, but has not yet reached the new one. Psychology views this as a crucial transitional period for identity formation, though it is often accompanied by anxiety due to the loss of clear structure.

2. Uncertainty Tolerance

Cognitive psychology highlights how each individual responds to uncertainty. Those with low tolerance tend to experience severe stress and perceive the waiting phase as a threat. Conversely, individuals with high tolerance view it as an opportunity for reflection.

3. Expectancy Theory

According to Victor Vroom, a person’s motivation is heavily influenced by the expectation that their efforts will yield results. During the waiting phase, if the link between ‘effort’ and ‘outcome’ becomes unclear, a person may experience a drastic drop in motivation or even learned helplessness.

4. Existentialism: The Search for Meaning

From the perspective of logotherapy, the waiting phase is a moment in which the individual is tested to find meaning amidst emptiness. Rather than viewing it as wasted time, this approach suggests transforming ‘waiting time’ into ‘preparation time’ to maintain internal control over one’s life.

Important Note: The waiting phase becomes destructive if it turns into total passivity. Psychology suggests continuing to perform ‘Micro-Actions’—small actions that remain under personal control—to maintain mental well-being during this period.

Why do people believe in hope more than reality

    Hi, today I would like to share about the interesting topic, namely "Why do people believe in hope more than reality?, the main reason why I choose that topic because many people are trapped in optimism bias and confirmation bias, The phenomenon whereby people prefer to believe in hope rather than hard facts is often referred to as ‘optimism bias’ or, in cognitive psychology, is closely linked to ‘confirmation bias’. Psychologically and neurologically, people like to feel something different than they usually get, sometimes a feeling of optimism can provide a new outlet to avoid boredom in daily activities.

there are several fundamental reasons why this occurs:

1. Defence Mechanisms

Hope acts as a mental shield against anxiety. Facts are often bitter, cold, and uncontrollable. If people were to live solely on the basis of bleak facts (for example: high unemployment figures or the risk of illness), the human mind could become paralysed by anxiety. Hope provides a sense of illusory control that allows us to continue functioning and acting even when the situation is unfavourable.

2. The Narrative Fallacy

The human brain is wired to prefer stories (narratives) over statistical data. Facts often present themselves as numbers or random realities. Conversely, hope usually takes the form of a narrative with a happy ending. We tend to cast ourselves as the ‘hero’ in our own life story, and a hero must triumph at the end of the story, regardless of the facts encountered along the way.

3. The Theory of Loss Aversion and Wishful Thinking

In behavioural psychology, there is a strong tendency towards Wishful Thinking. We form beliefs based on what is pleasant to imagine, rather than on available evidence. This occurs because:

 *Dopamine: Imagining success or positive outcomes triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, providing an instant sense of comfort.

 *Avoiding Regret: Acknowledging bad facts means having to accept failure or loss, which is emotionally far more painful than clinging to hope.

4. The Backfire Effect

When facts that starkly contradict our beliefs or hopes emerge, the brain often perceives them as a physical threat. Rather than accepting these facts, our nervous system reinforces old beliefs to protect our sense of self. This is why the more someone is confronted with facts that shatter their hopes, the more stubbornly they may cling to those hopes.

5. Evolutionary Value

From an evolutionary perspective, hope is a driving force. Early humans who were ‘too realistic’ might not have dared to migrate over mountains or attempt to hunt larger animals because the facts showed it was dangerous. It was those humans who possessed a touch of ‘irrationality’ in the form of hope who dared to take risks, innovate, and ultimately survive.

> “Facts tell us where we stand, but hope tells us where we can go.”

Philosophically, this is similar to the concept of Amor Fati (loving one’s fate) but with the added element of a desire to transcend that reality. Humans require a certain dose of distortion of reality to avoid falling into existential despair.

Building a child’s self-confidence amidst their parents’ divorce

    Hi, today I would like to share about the interesting topic, namely "Building a child’s self-confidence amidst their parents’ divorce", the main reason why I choose that topic because not many parents consider their children's feeling when they decide to break up the relationship, many children lose their self-confidence when their parents divorce, for your information, Building a child’s self-confidence amidst their parents’ divorce is a process that requires emotional sensitivity. In psychology, divorce is often regarded as an ‘ambiguous loss’, where the parents are still physically present but the family structure that provided a sense of security has collapsed.

Here are some practical steps and psychological insights to help children remain resilient:

1. Provide Certainty (Predictability)

Psychologically, children feel insecure because they feel they have lost control over their lives. When the family unit breaks down, their world feels unsafe.

 *Stable Routines: Maintain meal, school, and sleep schedules as consistent as possible. Routines create a sense of security that forms the foundation of self-confidence.

 *Honest Explanations: Use age-appropriate language. Tell them it is not their fault. Children tend to internalise the situation, blaming themselves for the divorce.

2. Validate Emotions (Don’t Ignore Them)

Self-confidence grows when children feel understood. Do not force children to always be ‘happy’ or ‘strong’.

 *Reflecting Feelings: If the child is angry or sad, say: “Mum/Dad knows this is hard for you, and it’s okay to feel sad.”

 *Attachment Theory: Ensure the child knows that although the relationship between the parents has ended, the parent-child bond will never break. This maintains their secure base.

3. Encourage Independence and Competence

Help children find areas where they can ‘succeed’ or excel.

 *Hobbies and Interests: Support them in sports, the arts, or academics. Success outside the home will help offset the sense of heartbreak they feel at home.

 *Small Responsibilities: Give them light household tasks they can complete. Successfully completing small tasks will build self-efficacy (belief in one’s own abilities).

A Psychological Perspective on the Impact of Divorce

Modern psychology views the impact of divorce on children through several key lenses:

A. Erik Erikson’s Theory of Development

Depending on the child’s age, divorce can disrupt their developmental stages. For example, at school age, children are in the Industry vs. Inferiority stage. If parental conflict is too dominant, children may feel inferior because they perceive their family as ‘different’ or ‘failed’.

B. The Concept of a ‘Fragmented Self-Esteem’

Children often see themselves as a part of both parents. If one parent disparages the other, the child unconsciously feels that half of their identity is flawed.

 *Advice: Avoid using the child as a messenger or a sounding board for parental issues.

C. Resilience

Positive psychology emphasises that divorce does not necessarily ruin a child’s future. If a child receives consistent emotional support from at least one stable adult figure, they can develop strong resilience—the ability to bounce back from trauma.

Important Note: > If a child exhibits drastic behavioural changes such as complete withdrawal, a sharp decline in academic performance, or prolonged sleep disturbances, consulting a child psychologist is strongly recommended to provide a safe space for them to process their grief.