Subjectivity: What It Is and How to Develop It

What is subjectivity

Subjectivity is an internal state of an individual that allows one to recognize oneself as the author of one's life. This is not only self-awareness, but also an active way of interacting with the surrounding world, which includes influencing it and accepting responsibility for one's actions. Subjectivity forms a unique outlook on life and promotes the development of personal initiative, which is a key aspect in achieving success and harmony in life.

Subjectivity allows us to create new things and develop self-discipline, which contributes to the achievement of mastery. It opens up unique opportunities for action and decision-making. For example, when a person realizes that he wants to change jobs not because of external circumstances, but out of an internal desire for self-realization, this is a manifestation of subjectivity. Such conscious steps help not only in the professional sphere, but also in personal development, which in turn leads to a more successful and satisfied life. Subjectivity forms an active position, allowing us to choose a path that corresponds to our true desires and goals.

Agency is the implementation of subjectivity in specific actions. It manifests itself in those moments when we:

set our own goals (and do not follow other people's expectations);
analyze the situation and look for opportunities to improve it;
make a conscious choice;
start to act;
are responsible for the result, even if it turns out to be not what we hoped for.

An example of an active approach to a job search: a person not only intends to change their place of employment, but also actively searches for vacancies, participates in interviews and learns new skills. He takes purposeful actions to achieve his clearly defined goal.

Agency represents our ability to be the author of our own lives, regardless of circumstances. In one of the most cited contemporary articles, sociologists Emirbayer and Mische define agency as the simultaneous interaction of three interrelated processes. These processes shape our perception of control over life events and influence decision making. Understanding agency is important for understanding how we can actively influence our destiny and overcome the challenges we face.

past: we rely on familiar social roles, habits, personal and cultural experiences;
future: we imagine possible futures, dream, make plans and chart a course, set goals, engage in creativity, and engage in intuition and imagination;
present: we assess the situation and act, make decisions, and cope with uncertainty and conflict.

A person is not simply an executor of instructions received from society, parents, or authority figures. They act as a subject who constantly balances between the past, present, and future. This balance is necessary for the achievement and realization of one's own goals, ideals, and ideas about the world. Each individual forms a unique perception of reality, which allows them to strive for self-expression and self-development. It is important to understand that each person has freedom of choice and the ability to influence their own destiny, overcoming external limitations.

A subjective approach to life is especially important in areas requiring awareness and active participation. This applies to areas such as education, therapy, coaching, and self-development. Mindfulness allows for a deeper understanding of oneself and the world around us, which facilitates effective learning and personal growth. In therapy and coaching, a subjective approach helps clients become more aware of their feelings and needs, which leads to more effective changes. In the context of self-development, this approach ensures deep reflection and allows a person to make more conscious decisions, which ultimately contributes to the achievement of goals and an improved quality of life.

Why is subjectivity necessary?

Firstly, it is important to maintain resilience in the face of crises and change. When relationships, a career, or a previous way of life collapse, strong subjectivity becomes an internal support. This is the ability to say to yourself, "Yes, things are unstable right now, but I have the right to choose how I respond to what's happening." This ability to self-reflect and control your reactions is key to overcoming difficult periods and helps maintain peace of mind. Being self-aware allows you to find meaning and direct your actions in the right direction, which significantly facilitates the process of adapting to new circumstances.

Subjectivity plays a key role in building healthy relationships. It implies awareness and protection of personal boundaries, as well as respect for yourself and others. It is also important to take responsibility for your reactions. Without developing self-awareness, people can lose their individuality by adapting to others, which leads to control and attempts to "save" loved ones. This often leads to confusion between true love and an unhealthy fusion, which negatively affects the relationship. Developing agency enables us to establish harmonious relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.

Agency plays a key role in the development of motivation and creativity. True interest and inspiration arise when we dare to reject traditional approaches and are not afraid to take risks. Agency allows us to create something new, based on our own perceptions of beauty. It helps us perceive mistakes and deviations from established norms not as something negative, but as an important stage in the process of creativity and self-expression.

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Who and why has difficulty developing subjectivity

Subjectivity is not an innate quality; it is formed throughout life. At each stage of their existence, a person faces various tasks that can contribute to the development of their subjectivity or, conversely, slow down this process. The thoughts of a person deprived of subjectivity can manifest themselves as follows:

“It’s as if I don’t live, but exist.”
“As if everything is happening without me.”
“I don’t decide anything; everything has already been decided.”

There are several categories of people whose ability to make independent choices and follow through on these choices is significantly weakened. These include people who experienced a lack of choice in childhood, as well as those who have encountered violence or traumatic events. Furthermore, adolescents and young adults, whose sense of agency is still developing, may also experience difficulty making decisions.

Overprotective and domineering parents can negatively impact the development of agency in children. In such families, parents make decisions on most matters—from clothing choices to social circles. As a result, children grow up feeling that their desires and opinions are irrelevant. This leads to the development of an external orientation, where they strive to please others, follow directions, and seek approval. Such conditions can hinder the development of an independent personality and cause problems in the future, including difficulties making decisions and finding their own path in life.

At the age of 3-6, children begin to actively take the initiative, exploring new roles and boundaries. It is important to understand that suppressing their curiosity and excessive control by parents can lead to a fear of making mistakes. This, in turn, can lead to passivity and the suppression of their independence. Supporting and encouraging children's initiative helps develop self-confidence and a proactive approach to life.

Adults can also face challenges with agency, especially when subject to strict external regulations. This can manifest itself in work environments with a schedule or in abusive relationships. Such circumstances limit freedom of choice and can have a negative impact on psycho-emotional well-being. It is important to recognize how external factors influence personal boundaries and the ability to make independent decisions.

When life becomes a chain of instructions, schedules, and checks, as occurs in some educational systems and authoritarian organizations, agency can be suppressed by automatism. In such conditions, a person becomes accustomed to acting in accordance with established norms and loses touch with their personal choices and internal motivation. This can lead to a loss of individuality and a decrease in creativity, which negatively impacts both personal development and overall productivity. It is important to create conditions in which people can make conscious decisions and develop their autonomy to reconnect with their own desires and goals.

Physical, psychological, and emotional abuse can cause feelings of helplessness and loss of control over one's life. Violation of personal boundaries leads to a person experiencing difficulties in regaining confidence in their actions. It is important to understand how such forms of abuse affect a person's mental health and overall well-being. Understanding these consequences helps build confidence and regain control over one's life.

The belief develops: "Something will happen to me anyway, I do not have the power to make decisions, I am incapable of change."

Experienced trauma can cause high anxiety. A person develops a fear of mistakes and responsibility, which complicates their ability to cope with uncertainty. In situations requiring choice, there is always a possibility of error, and for those who experience high levels of anxiety, perfectionism, or have a history of failure, it is easier to avoid making decisions, thereby not becoming an active participant. This condition can lead to difficulties in personal and professional life, reducing quality of life and limiting opportunities for growth and development. Between ages 11 and 18, there is an active growth of agency, associated with the acquisition of new experiences and the development of independence. Unlike previous age groups, a lack of agency at this age is normal. Adolescents begin to recognize their individuality, which contributes to the formation of their personal values and worldviews. This process plays a key role in their psychosocial development and preparation for adulthood.

Teenagers often experience concerns that can alarm parents: "What am I really thinking? Is this right for me?" During this period, teenagers begin to independently choose clothes, music, and friends, exploring unconventional approaches to various aspects of life. If their desire for self-expression is met with condemnation, prohibitions, or indifference, they may return to a comfortable dependence, which leads to the insufficient development of their agency. Support from parents and others in this process is important for the development of a confident personality.

Between the ages of 18 and 30, agency begins to manifest itself in practical terms. During this period, it becomes important not only to recognize one's individuality but also to actively act as an independent person. Young people begin to build relationships, choose their professional trajectory, and take responsibility for their finances, daily life, and health. This stage is key to the formation of adulthood and personal identity.

This is a period of making important decisions. When a person becomes aware of their desires, frees themselves from the influence of parental scripts, and finds the courage to try new things, they encounter mistakes and learn from them. This process fosters the development of their agency and personal growth. When separation from parents fails, a person begins to rely on mom and dad to solve all problems. This leads to the feeling that life will sort itself out, and that parents will always come to the rescue, eliminating any threats or consequences. This state indicates that the process of individual development is under threat. It is important to understand that independence and decision-making ability are key aspects of adult life, and their deficiency can negatively impact personal development.

The Connection Between Subjectivity and Mental Traits and Disorders

Subjectivity can significantly weaken, especially during periods of depression, when a person loses energy, interest, and motivation for life. At such moments, it seems that everything is beyond your control, desires become less pronounced, and the future seems hopeless. Thoughts may sound like: "I don't want anything," "I don't care," or "I can't cope." These states interfere with active participation in life and can lead to feelings of isolation and hopelessness. It is important to realize that such feelings are temporary, and it is possible to regain subjectivity through support, therapy, and personal effort.

To get out of this state, it is recommended to consult a psychotherapist. It is important to find points of growth through small daily choices. These steps will help restore a sense of confidence and the ability to take action, even if it's simply choosing breakfast.

With anxiety disorders, a person's agency weakens when internal reference points are lost in a fog of uncertainty. In such states, a person's actions are often guided by fear: "What if things go wrong?" or "What if I make a mistake?" To overcome this problem, it's necessary to gradually expand your safety zone, develop self-confidence, and learn to overcome fear. This will help you regain control over your actions and improve your quality of life.

How to Develop Subjectivity

Subjectivity is a process, not an innate quality, and requires gradual development. This is especially true in the context of psychotherapy. Therapy does not simply aim to eliminate specific symptoms of distress; it promotes deepening self-knowledge, helps a person find meaning in life and act in accordance with inner convictions. Thus, psychotherapy promotes the development of subjectivity. To achieve this growth, it is necessary to focus on three key areas.

Viktor Frankl, an Austrian psychiatrist and survivor of a German concentration camp, lost his entire family but came to the conclusion that without a sense of meaning, a person cannot truly live. The meaning of life, in his view, lies in creativity, love, and suffering. The process of developing subjectivity often begins with deep and sincere questions: "What is truly important to me? What do I love to do? Who do I value and love? Why do I want to continue living?" These questions help people find inner support and understand their purpose, which is key to mental health and well-being.

What truly matters to me? What would I do if I didn't fear judgment or making mistakes? What activity brings me a sense of fulfillment?

To become a full subject, it is necessary to understand yourself and your emotions. In moments of stress, it is useful to ask yourself a few questions:

What am I feeling right now?
Where could this emotion be coming from?
Am I acknowledging this emotion or trying to repress it?
What do I really want?
Is this my choice or am I just adapting?
What is important to me personally in this situation?

Mindfulness allows you to free yourself from automatic reactions and learn to distinguish between your own desires and imposed expectations. This process can be difficult, but it plays a key role in the development of subjectivity. True subjectivity is impossible without sincere contact with yourself. Awareness of your true needs and emotions contributes to a deeper understanding of yourself and a better quality of life.

Subjectivity manifests itself not in isolation, but in the context of relationships. It acquires meaning when we are able to say “No” without feeling guilty, when we choose sincere intimacy instead of dependency. True subjectivity lies in the ability not only to listen to others but also to hear yourself in their presence. It is important to recognize your individuality and find a balance between self-expression and attention to others. Transforming relationships promotes the development of subjectivity, allowing us to be more authentic and free in our choices. By setting boundaries—physical, emotional, and temporal—we recognize our true selves and accept personal responsibility for our lives, actions, and choices. Problems won't solve themselves, but I can take initiative and improve my life. To develop subjectivity, three key steps must be regularly completed. These steps will help deepen self-awareness and promote personal growth. It is important to understand that the process takes time and consistency. By following these recommendations, you can improve your ability to make decisions and manage your life. Constant self-improvement is the foundation for building confidence and independence.

Defend personal boundaries: "Where do I feel cramped, uncomfortable, or out of place right now?", "Who do I often say 'yes' to when I want to say 'no'?"
Accept responsibility: "Is this my choice—or am I shifting it onto others?"
Act from within, not out of fear/duty: "Am I doing this because I want to or because I have to?"

Developing subjectivity can be compared to adjusting an internal compass. At first, this compass may be off-kilter, but over time, it begins to pick up important signals and becomes a reliable guide. The key to this process is the opportunity to dedicate time and the right to self-knowledge. This allows for a deeper understanding of one's own values and needs, which ultimately leads to more conscious decisions and actions. By developing subjectivity, we strengthen our identity and learn to navigate life better.

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