What Does It Mean to "Take Responsibility for Yourself"? How to Build a "Self-Axis" Through Psychology, Philosophy, and Neuroscience

"It's not working out because of that person."

"It can't be helped because society is bad."

Before you know it, these words of "blaming others" slip out.

But how can we break free from such a life and live as if things are "our own business"?

We provide hints you can start using today from the perspectives of psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience.

Psychology: Cultivating "Cognitive Habits" That Shift Toward Self-Responsibility

Many people who tend to blame others have cognitive habits that make them feel like "there is nothing I can do."

In psychology, this is called an "external locus of control."

Conversely, people who think "I can change the future with my own choices and actions" have an "internal locus of control."

Cultivating this "internal locus of control" is the key to living with self-responsibility.

Concrete Approaches

• Be aware of your sphere of influence
  When a problem occurs, try asking yourself, "What can I do about this?"

• Accumulate small successful experiences
  For example, habits like acknowledging things you decided and did yourself, such as "I woke up early today" or "I chose my own lunch," increase your self-efficacy.

• Reflect on the "reasons you couldn't do something" by focusing on your own actions rather than others or the environment
  Keep in mind that reflection is for thinking about "what I will do next."

Philosophy: The Resolve to Become the "Protagonist" of Your Own Life

In the world of philosophy, "taking responsibility for your own life" is discussed in tandem with "freedom."

Sartre said, "Man is condemned to be free."

In other words, we are beings who cannot help but choose.

Living by blaming others or society is, in fact, "abandoning your own life."

Choosing for yourself and deciding for yourself is the first step to becoming the protagonist of your life.

Philosophical Hints

• Realize that you are "choosing for yourself" rather than "being made to choose"
  By thinking that you "chose it yourself" in any situation, a sense of responsibility is born.

• Value your own values over "others' expectations"
  From an other-centered axis to a self-centered axis. Let's have the resolve to take charge of our own lives ourselves.

Neuroscience: The brain gets motivated when you 'decide for yourself'

Neuroscience research shows that when you feel you have 'chosen for yourself,' the brain's reward system (dopamine system) is activated, increasing motivation and satisfaction.

Conversely, when you feel a strong sense of 'being forced,' the brain feels stress and performance declines.

Practical methods based on neuroscience

• Make small daily choices 'by yourself'
  For example, increase experiences where you consciously choose for yourself, such as 'which path to walk today' or 'what to eat.'

• Record 'things you decided yourself'
  Just by writing down 'things I decided myself today' in a notebook or diary, the brain finds it easier to recognize them as 'your own business.'

Summary of tips for practice

1. When a problem occurs, make it a habit to ask yourself, 'What can I do?'

2. Record small successes and choices every day to cultivate self-efficacy.

3. Be conscious of 'choosing for yourself' and do not blame others or the environment.

4. Accept failures as 'material for your own growth.'

5. Have the resolve to live by your own axis, not someone else's.

Conclusion

Shifting your way of life from 'blaming others' to 'taking responsibility for yourself' is not easy.

However, anyone can use insights from psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience to turn things into 'your own business' through small daily choices and actions.

Why not start accumulating tiny 'decisions made by yourself' starting today?

Your life will surely become freer and more interesting.

I am also practicing the resolve to 'live my own life by myself,' even though I waver every day.

Humans cannot live alone.

I am someone who wants to live my own life, not a life filled with such anxiety.

If you would like, I would be happy if we could walk this path together quietly.

Thank you for reading until the end.

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