Zone 1 – Note C – Center Brain: Unacknowledged vs. Self-Validation
Head Region: Thinking /Thoughts
The perception of being unacknowledged or undervalued manifests in stuck patterns of denial, avoidance, and mistrust. There may be an avoidance of or an inability to recognize and accept unpleasant realities, especially for those that struggle with the perceptions of being undervalued. There may be an inability to trust and accept one’s own evaluation. Insights and other intuitive abilities may be constrained.
The unacknowledged individual may experience defensive thoughts due to a heightened and projected awareness of others’ perceptions and judgments (the individual “projects” thoughts out and imagines reading them from others, which make these ideas much more difficult to uproot).
Unacknowledgement often appears as low self esteem with a lack of self awareness, leaving the individual unable to recognize and value worthy talents and attributes. Even individuals with otherwise healthy self-esteem can experience unacknowledgment issues. Such perceptions commonly originate as a young child learns to cooperate with the reward and punishment culturization model, or as a shield against the perceived risk of standing up for one’s own beliefs, desires, or opinions, such as when dealing with a strong authority figure or bully. Other causes include abusive circumstances, internalizing others’ judgments, and harsh self judgment which makes self recognition intolerable.
Possible physical manifestations are in the area of the eyes, such as weak vision and hypersensitivity to light.
As this pattern releases, the individual becomes more able to perceive his/her value as an individual rather than believing (consciously or subconsciously) that one’s worth is dependent on the feedback of others. Trust of one’s own perceptions and intuition is the basis for trusting others.
Self validation leads to increased confidence, appreciation for and enjoyment of one’s talents, personality, and individuality. The individual experiences these traits effortlessly and learns to take reasonable care of his or herself without feeling selfish.
The ability to be authentically oneself also allows for more open and supportive relationships with others. When our relationship with others is based on our true selves, rather than on who we think they want us to be, we are more likely to attract healthy and supportive relationships.
To learn more about the complexities of the unacknowledged individual, explore the related content below.
Related content:
The Dance of Connection: How to Talk to Someone When You’re Mad, Hurt, Scared, Frustrated, Insulted, Betrayed, or Desperate by Harriet Lerner
If you experience difficulties in your relationships or find yourself feeling disconnected from others, this book may be a helpful resource. It explores how to communicate effectively, even in challenging situations.
The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self by Alice Miller
It is the drama of the gifted child to be born with a sense of self that is ahead of experience. In The Drama of the Gifted Child, Alice Miller discusses how the unacknowledged individual may have experienced trauma or lack of freedom in childhood that led to a disconnection from his or her true self.
Six Pillars of Self Esteem by Nathaniel Branden
This is his most popular book in which he explores the six pillars of self esteem: living consciously, self acceptance, self responsibility, self assertion, living purposefully, and integrity. Each of these pillars is essential for a healthy sense of self esteem. However, the unacknowledged individual may have difficulty with one or more of these pillars.
*This is one of twelve zones which are identifiable through a process of neurofeedback called Vocal Mapping (aka ZYTO EVOX). During a session you can speak about any topic while the software analyzes your voice for changes in emotional intensity. The changes are then used to generate a feedback loop and a report which identifies which of the twelve zones are most imbalanced. A typical session can last 20-45 minutes.