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Reverting to Our Younger Selves: How Stress Unveils Old Coping Mechanisms

Aug 9, 2024

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In my experience with tech startups, stress was a constant companion. I noticed that when the pressure mounted—whether from tight deadlines, high stakes, or the uncertainties of a new venture—people, including myself, often reverted to their younger, more vulnerable selves. It was as if our brains unconsciously fell back on the coping mechanisms we developed in our formative years.


I saw this firsthand. For example, someone who had learned to cope with stress by being overly self-critical or constantly seeking approval from authority figures would slip back into those patterns when a project hit a snag, almost exhibiting behaviors that echoed their childhood experiences.


I came to realize that this regression happened because the brain operates almost like a look-up table of past situations. When we face similar challenges, we instinctively take on the behaviors and emotions we relied on back then, as if our brain automatically pulls up these old responses without us even realizing it. 


However, I found that if we take the time to revisit and reconsolidate those memories, viewing them through the lens of who we are today, it can make a world of difference. By doing this, it's possible to break free from those old patterns and respond in ways that are more aligned with our present selves, rather than being tied to who we were in the past. Ultimately, this awareness not only improves how we handle stress but also strengthens our ability to innovate and thrive in the ever-challenging startup environment.




Aug 9, 2024

1 min read

1

6

0

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