Understanding Projection & How it Shows Up in Our Lives

Projection is a psychological defense mechanism where we take our emotions, thoughts or beliefs and attribute them to someone else or the outside world. It can be an unconscious process that we do without any awareness, and it can show up in our relationships and interactions with others.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what projection is, how it shows up in our lives and how we can work to recognize and manage it.

What is Projection?

Projection is a defense mechanism created to protect ourselves from difficult feelings and experiences. It is used to externalize our inner struggles and concerns by attributing them to an external source.

When we project, we take our own emotions, thoughts or beliefs and project them onto someone else or the outside world. We do this to avoid confronting our own issues, and it can lead to misunderstanding, conflict and even manipulation.

Projection is a form of denial, as it allows us to deny our own feelings, beliefs and thoughts by attributing them to someone else. It can also be used as a way to avoid taking responsibility for our actions and decisions.

Projection can be used in both positive and negative ways, so it is important to be aware of how we are using it and the impact it is having on our relationships and interactions.

How Does Projection Show Up In Our Lives?

Projection can show up in our lives in a variety of ways. It can be seen as an unconscious process where we attribute our beliefs, feelings or thoughts to someone else without being aware of it.

It can also be used as a way to manipulate or control a situation. Some common examples of projection include:

• Passive-Aggressive Behavior: This is when we use indirect and subtle forms of aggression, such as sarcasm or criticism, to express our feelings without taking responsibility.

• Blaming Others: This is when we blame someone else for our own mistakes or failings, rather than taking responsibility for our actions.

• Making Assumptions: This is when we make assumptions about someone else’s thoughts, feelings or beliefs without asking them directly.

• Judging Others: This is when we judge someone else based on our own beliefs and opinions without understanding their perspective.

Recognizing Projection

It is important to be aware of how and when we are projecting, as it can be damaging to our relationships and interactions. The first step in recognizing projection is to become aware of our own emotions, thoughts, and beliefs. When we take the time to understand ourselves, we can become more aware of when we are projecting and why we are doing it. We can then work to identify our triggers and learn to manage them in a healthy way.

It is also important to practice self-compassion and recognize that we all use projection from time to time. It is a natural part of being human, and it can help us to better understand ourselves and our relationships. By becoming aware of our projections, we can learn to recognize them and take steps to manage them in a healthier way.

One of my favourite quotes is from Vylana Marcus, she says "there are so many different modalities to experience deep healing, you can't run away from it all of your life, you have to feel it. You have to go into it to be able to let it go. Otherwise it shows up as this fractured part of you that you just keep shoving away and all your life force energy is going into keeping that intact. It shows up in what you project onto other people. It literally keeps you chained to who you have been and takes away your wings from who you are."

If you’d like to learn more about projection and how it shows up in your life, I recommend seeking out a qualified therapist or counsellor to help you better understand and manage your experience. With their help, you can take back control over your reactions and take steps forward to rebuilding a healthier, happier life.