THe Ego and the Persona.
Many a people confuse the two, though they announce some similarities.
The ego is the conscious sense of self… Our personal identities and the narratives we construct to survive our fears.
Everything that follows I is the ego. Everything one believes oneself to be eg; I’m a girl, I’m Sharon, I’m a Kenyan, I’m unworthy, I’m beautiful, I’m superior, I’m in control, I’m intelligent.
The Persona on the other hand is the mask we wear to meet societal expectations or avoid fears Such as of judgement or critiscism. For instance; The People pleaser, The Professional, The Overachiever, The Saint, The Humble etc.
Similarities between the Ego and Persona.
• Both ego and persona are aimed at projecting a good image to the world.
• They’re both formed out of societal conditioning.
• They’re both aimed at maintaining a sense of Predictability.
• They both serve to prevent anxieties and fears.
Differences between the Ego and Persona.
• The persona is the mask (Suit) one wears while the Ego is the inner programming.
• The Persona is a role that can be changed occasionally while the inner self is the internalized meaning that one narrates to oneself everywhere.
When the Boundary Dissolves.
Sometimes the thin line between the ego and an individual’s sense of self (Ego) dissolves when one forgets that the mask is just a mask and believes it’s just who they’re.
For instance; The Professional becomes so overtly identified with this role that he projects it in every aspect of life. A teacher professionally behaves like a teacher to spouse and even his kids.
The saint projects this image everywhere and finds it hard to change even when a situation demands.
One Knows the boundary has dissolved when changing the mask / role feels threatening.
One Knows the Persona has identified with the Ego when the role become who one is…
One knows the boundary has dissolved when any threat to the mask feels threatening to the self.