Exploring NICC: Unveiling Core Self & Constructed Self

Independence and Mastery

Here, the focus is on an individual’s ability to navigate the world with a distinct sense of self and purpose, while maintaining connections with others. Thriving is facilitated by secure attachments that encourage exploration and mastery, leading to autonomy and confidence in personal abilities.

Example Helpful self@best IWMs Independence:

• Sees self as capable and resourceful, able to tackle challenges independently.
• Maintains a healthy balance between seeking help when needed and asserting autonomy.

Example Unhelpful self@worst IWMs Indepence:

• Doubts own abilities and feels helpless without external assistance.
• Overestimates independence to the point of rejecting any form of support, viewing it as a weakness.

Reality (Realistic Expectations and Limits for Self and Others)

This domain emphasizes the importance of having realistic expectations and limits for oneself and others. It involves developing an internal framework that guides individuals on when and how to push themselves and when to accept limits. Thriving here is marked by a balanced view of oneself and others, with appropriate boundaries and realistic expectations.

Example Helpful self@best IWMs of Reality:

• Understands personal limitations and sets realistic goals and expectations for self and others.
• Accepts that perfection is unattainable and is compassionate towards self and others when mistakes occur.

Example Unhelpful self@worst IWMs Reality:

• Holds unrealistically high or low expectations for self and others, leading to frequent disappointment and frustration.
• Struggles with setting boundaries, either by letting others overstep or by being overly rigid and inflexible.

Feelings

Central to this domain is the development of emotional intelligence—recognizing, appreciating, understanding, and informing behavior based on emotional experiences. A thriving model in this domain includes empathy, emotional attunement, validation, regulation, awareness, and expressive capabilities.

Example Helpful self@best IWMs of Feelings:

• Comfortable with a wide range of emotions; uses emotions as guides for decision-making and understanding personal needs.
• Communicates feelings effectively and listens empathetically to others, fostering mutual understanding.

Example Unhelpful self@worst IWMs of Feelings:

• Fears emotions, particularly those perceived as negative or vulnerable, leading to suppression or explosive outbursts.
• Struggles to understand or articulate emotional experiences, which hampers personal relationships and self-awareness.