your personal myth as the hero's journey

I see perfectionism as a dangerous addiction. When I try to live up to an ideal, whether shaped by parents or society, I lose touch with my humanity. Striving to be godlike, I suppress the messy, imperfect parts of myself. That suppression doesn’t last. The shadow—the dark side I avoid—inevitably rises and demands to be seen.

I’ve learned the shadow isn’t something to fear.
It holds beauty and truth.
Denying it creates imbalance.

When I honor the shadow, I embrace all of life. I stop placing the idealized mother, partner, or self on a pedestal. Instead, I savor being fully human—seeing spring’s glory, hearing birdsong, tasting good food, feeling the richness of sexuality.

I’ve realized life isn’t about escaping the body to reach some spiritual realm. It’s about loving the body and the world it inhabits. Only by embracing this truth can I truly live, not as a hollow shell chasing perfection, but as a whole, vibrant being.

This is my myth, facing from perfectionism and dry precision to a world of pleasure and abundance, where the fruit is as important as the root.

why you feel stuck

Modern life pulls us away from ourselves. Social media, societal pressures, and constant distractions create a disconnect from our inner world. This leaves many feeling anxious, empty, and trapped in harmful cycles. This disconnection runs deeper than a fleeting emotion—it fractures the psyche.

Carl Jung said,

“Until you make the unconscious conscious,
it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”

When we don’t uncover our personal myth, we fall prey to unconscious patterns—complexes. These unresolved parts of the psyche quietly control our choices, limit growth, and obscure potential. Instead of living authentically, we react to life, stuck in loops of fear, avoidance, and stagnation.

This state of being is autopilot.

the myth

Humanity turns to myths, legends, and archetypes for answers. These timeless stories hold universal truths, reflecting the external world and the landscapes within us.

Carl Jung taught that every life is shaped by an unconscious personal myth. He saw the unconscious not as a dark void but as a reservoir of insight.

Jung reshaped understanding of the human psyche. He revealed how archetypes and myths influence thoughts, emotions, and actions and offered a deeper perspective on being human.

Jung bridged science and spirituality while showing how dreams and stories mirror universal patterns. He connected personal and collective experience and demonstrated their inseparable link.

Today, we explore your myth—your guiding narrative,
written in the language of your soul.

Discovering your personal myth offers clarity and purpose. It aligns experiences with meaning, uncovering your unique thread. By tracing your story, you move past distractions into a deeper understanding of yourself.

Clarity replaces confusion, offering direction aligned with your core values. Knowing your myth brings authenticity—freeing you from external expectations. Healing becomes possible as unresolved conflicts find resolution.

Challenges transform into opportunities, fueling resilience and growth.

Relationships deepen through self-awareness, creating stronger, genuine bonds. Creativity flourishes as your story inspires new ideas. Freed from limiting patterns, you act with intention, building a life rooted in meaning.

By uncovering and living your personal myth, you leave a meaningful legacy—a life lived with purpose, authenticity, and connection.

finding your personal myth

Your personal myth is your Ariadne’s thread—a lifeline through the labyrinth of your existence. Unlike a story told by others, your personal myth is the one only you can uncover.

This myth doesn’t emerge fully formed. Instead, it reveals itself in fragments. To uncover it, you must examine these patterns intentionally. The process involves tracing four core elements of your life:

• Memories: Childhood moments, pivotal events, and the experiences that left a mark on your heart. These memories are more than nostalgia; they are signals, highlighting the values and lessons that have shaped your path. Perhaps a childhood fear taught resilience, or a moment of wonder ignited your lifelong passion. Every memory contains a key to understanding who you are.

• Interests: The books, movies, hobbies, and art that resonate with you are more than entertainment. They reflect your inner world, revealing what stirs your soul. Why do you gravitate toward certain stories or themes? Perhaps they echo struggles, aspirations, or truths within you?

• Relationships: The people who surround you—family, mentors, friends, and romantic partners—act as mirrors, reflecting parts of yourself. What have they taught you about love, trust, or vulnerability? Which connections uplifted you, and which caused growth through pain? And why?

• Repeated Behaviors: The habits and challenges you encounter repeatedly are the drumbeats of your story. Whether you struggle with procrastination, find joy in creation, or face recurring conflicts, these patterns reveal much about your underlying drives and fears.

This work is transformative. By understanding your personal myth, you reclaim your power to write your story consciously, rather than being driven by unconscious forces. Your myth becomes the bridge between your potential and your reality, offering meaning and direction even in life’s chaos.

Why does this matter? Because without this narrative, life can feel random and disjointed. It writing your myth creates context and a linear direction. We often wander through life searching for purpose, yearning for clarity. Your personal myth provides the map. It connects the disparate pieces of your existence, aligning your actions, values, and dreams into a unified path.

Tools to Explore Your Myth

Journaling uncovers pivotal moments.
Reflect on “What shaped me? What felt most meaningful?” 

Dreams often reveal truths. Record recurring symbols, emotions, or themes.

Creative expression—through art, writing, or music—opens pathways to the unconscious. Your body, holding tension or discomfort, mirrors unresolved struggles and truths.

Ask yourself practical questions:  
“What challenge taught me the most?”  
“What values feel authentic and guide my actions?”  
“What would I regret not pursuing in life?”

Each practice sheds light on the patterns, values, and dreams shaping your myth. Use them to chart your story.

Joseph Campbell and The Hero's Journey

Joseph Campbell's famous quote, “Follow your bliss,” encapsulates the essence of this journey—pursuing what feels authentic and meaningful.

He introduced the concept of the Hero's Journey, a universal story structure that outlines the stages of personal transformation and adventure. His work, particularly in "The Hero with a Thousand Faces", shows how myths across cultures share a common narrative, reflecting the human journey of growth, challenge, and self-discovery. Campbell believed these patterns were archetypal, rooted in our collective unconscious.

It is one of the greatest books I have read in my life.

The Hero's Journey Timeline serves as a framework for understanding personal stories and finding meaning in life’s challenges.

The Hero’s Journey Timeline

The Hero’s Journey consists of three main acts, each with specific stages.
Use this timeline and map your myth:

Act 1: Departure

1. The Ordinary World The hero begins in their everyday environment, unaware of their potential or calling.
   Question: Where are you now? What feels unfulfilled in your life?
   
2. The Call to Adventure An event or realization disrupts the status quo, inviting the hero into the unknown.
   Question: What challenges or opportunities are calling you to step out of your comfort zone?
   
3. Refusal of the Call Fear and doubt hold the hero back, creating internal resistance.
   Question: What fears or doubts prevent you from pursuing change?
   
4. Meeting the Mentor A guide appears, offering wisdom or tools to help the hero prepare for the journey.
   Question: Who or what in your life provides inspiration or guidance?

Act 2: Initiation

1. Crossing the Threshold The hero commits to the adventure, leaving behind the familiar.
   Question: When have you taken a leap of faith into the unknown?
   
2. Tests, Allies, and Enemies The hero faces challenges, forms alliances, and confronts adversaries.
   Question: What struggles and support systems shape your journey?
   
3. The Approach to the Inmost Cave The hero moves toward a pivotal challenge, requiring courage and focus.
   Question: What is your most pressing challenge or fear?
   
4. The Ordeal The hero confronts their greatest fear or obstacle, transforming in the process.
   Question: What transformative moment has defined your life?

Act 3: Return

1. The Reward The hero emerges with newfound wisdom, strength, or clarity.
   Question: What lessons or growth have you gained from your struggles?
   
2. The Road Back The hero begins their return, integrating their transformation into life.
   Question: How are you applying what you’ve learned to your current life?
   
3. The Resurrection The hero faces a final test, solidifying their transformation.
   Question: What challenges help you embody the person you’ve become?
   
4. Return with the Elixir The hero shares their insights or gifts with the world, completing the journey.
   Question: How are you using your experiences to inspire or guide others?

By following this timeline, you can structure your personal myth as a heroic narrative. You are it!

write your own story

Uncover who you’ve always been.
Live to embrace your narrative with intention and courage.
Recognize recurring themes in your life. Patterns, challenges, and moments that reappear are threads of your story. Understand and integrate.

Align actions with values and potential. Every choice, however small, shapes your myth. When you honor what feels true, you walk the path your soul intended.

Your myth is yours alone. No one can live it or write it for you.

“Uncover it. Own it. Live it fully.”

And in that wholeness, I find you.
Yours, fully human and fully alive.

kiss kiss,
Tarkan