We often feel intimidated by others, don’t we? In today’s social media era, celebrity influence is everywhere. We admire their luck, success, and daily lives, seeing them as superheroes with talents we might not have. However, their reality is often quite different from their public personas.
Beyoncé has revealed that she has an alter ego named Sasha Fierce, who helps her explore fame, identity, and self-expression. Beyoncé says, “Sasha Fierce is the fun, more sensual, more aggressive, more outspoken side and more glamorous side that comes out when I’m working and when I’m on the stage.” It was a technique to create a persona she could own, helping her conquer shyness and be brave enough to face her fans on a stage.
What is an alter ego? An alter ego is basically a second self or parallel identity that reflects the dual nature of yourself, bringing out emotions or aspects that might have been suppressed or unexplored all this time.
Why do celebrities or successful persons create alter egos? There are a number of answers to this question. Creating an alter ego lets them ditch their insecurities and become more confident and fearless. It helps them tap into their full potential by adopting traits they admire in others. Plus, having an alter ego creates a mental barrier between work and personal life, making it easier to keep a healthy work-life balance.
While creating an alter ego is beneficial, there are some important things to remember. It’s essential to keep in mind that it is a psychological tool and not let it overshadow your genuine identity. Consider it a tool, not a character replacement, and don’t depend too much on your alter ego. Using an alter ego too much to handle challenges can prevent you from addressing real issues and hinder your personal growth. Don’t use it as an excuse to avoid facing your true self. Be mindful of the energy and effort it takes to adopt an alter ego.
How can you create an alter ego?
- Define your purpose
Ask yourself why you want an alter ego. Is it because you want to overcome your shyness, gain confidence, enhance your skills, or for any other specific reason?
- Identify your traits
List the qualities and talents you want your alter ego to have. It can be inspired by a fictional character or a real person.
- Pick a name
Choose a name for your alter ego and visualize its appearance. This could be a completely new identity or an enhanced version of yourself.
- Write a backstory
Creating a backstory for your alter ego lets you develop a deep connection with your second self. Picture its history: Who is this new person? Where is he from? How did he get these qualities?
- Visualize the action
Before you switch to your alter ego in a situation, imagine how they would react or handle it.
- Embody your alter ego
Step into the shoes of your alter ego when you want to face a situation or need a push. Over time, it will get easier to switch between characters.
- Monitor the course
Evaluate the performance of your alter ego. Regularly check if it is performing as you imagined and whether it’s affecting your true self.
Adopting an alter ego, like Sasha Fierce, or thinking of yourself in the third person is a powerful psychological tool to help you overcome difficulties and enhance yourself. Find what works for you and flourish yourself!
