CAS_FORCADILLA,ANDREA

ANDREADECEMBER ISSUE

GET TO
KNOW
ME!

UNPACKING
THE SELF

DIGITAL PORTFOLIO

Understanding the Self

SUBMITTED BY: ANNDREA LOUISE FORCADILLA
SUBMITTED TO : JOHN NOEL E. FERMIN, RPM,
MAED, GC INSTRUCTOR

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
YOURSELF?

Back then, I wasn't fully aware of myself. But as I get older,
through my experiences and learnings in life, I've found the
beauty and importance of understanding myself. I slowly
discovered the deeper parts of me that makes up who I am, and
I find it very interesting. I was able to recognize my strengths
and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, capabilities and limitations,
behaviors and attitudes, beliefs and values and so on.
Understanding myself has led me to accept and love my whole
being. I've learned to embrace my flaws, imperfections and
shortcomings. Moreover, I've known my self worth, I stopped
seeking my value to other people's validation. I was able to
express myself, living my life according to my own terms. It also
broadened my understanding towards other people, being able
to be aware and acknowledge their own feelings and emotions,
and having better relationships. And most importantly, I've
found my purpose, living a meaningful life.

what does this course contributed to you
so far?

All throughout the first semester, Understanding the self has been my favorite course. Not only
because I am a Psychology major or it is aligned in my interests, but because I can proudly say
that it made grew as a better individual. I've learned a lot from our previous discussions, which
made me understand myself and other people on a deeper level of perception. From the
different perspectives of the self down to the different aspects of the self, I've finally put the
pieces together about what makes up who I am. And with that, I've come up with a realization
that to fully understand oneself is power that enables us to have a life worth living.

PHYSICAL
SELF

I AM BEAUTIFUL

it took me a long time to finally claim this exact words. It has been a roller coaster ride before I
was able to see myself the way I see it now. I’ve gone through the hard days feeling insecure,
thinking I'm not attractive enough and that there's something wrong with me. Furthermore, we
live in a society wherein it is very evident that we are constantly surrounded with pressures, side
comments, expectations, and various standards of beauty, but despite of it all I’ve realized that
the one that should matter to me is how I perceive myself.
I strongly believe that I'm created in the image and likeness of God. I'm grateful for the genes that
I've got from my parents. I love the way that I look from head to toe. I love the confidence that I
have within me in expressing myself. I love how I'm physically healthy. Therefore, the way I love
and accept every inch of my body is what truly makes me beautiful.

Andrea, All over the Years

SOCIAL SELF

NO MAN IS AN ISLAND

This quote by John Donne only means that we cannot live without the existence of other
people. It is already part of our lives, as we are constantly interacting. Our environment greatly
affects who we are as a person.

Personally, I love hanging out and spending time with others specially with my loved ones.
Whenever I'm with them I feel complete. I'm a type of person that keeps my circle small. Quality
over quantity. I'm grateful for my friends because not only that they are fun to be with, but they
are also someone I can lean on through the worst times. And I can simply just be myself,
without any doubt.

Furthermore, I can proudly say that I have the best parents. My relationship with them is great,
we bond from time to time, carry out healthy communications, and express how much we love
and care for each other.

Lastly, I have Jabez. The man who never failed to make me feel loved. The man that I can count
on through the good times and bad. The man who brings out the best in me.

MATERIAL SELF

The material self pertains to anything that a person's own. In the picture below, you can see
some of my possessions such as make up products, skin care products, clothes, mobile
phones, shoes, bags, personal money, and home. Some of these are really essential in my
daily living while for some are unnecessary, but I buy it anyway because I want to.

Growing up, I was taught by my parents to appreciate and be grateful for everything that I
have. I should be thankful that I have clothes to wear, I have a house to live in, we have the
means to eat three times a day and so on. And with that, It helped me to become more
valuable with my possessions.

However, something that I really struggled with, is between my needs and wants. As much as
possible, I convince myself to not spend a lot to the things that are unnecessary. But,
sometimes I just couldn't help myself because of Tiktok recommendations, endorsements,
and even online shops all over the internet. Wise spending is a must that I really need to work
on.

DIGITAL SELF

Digital technologies have already become the most essential component of modern society.
As it gives us advantages in regards with communication speed, better social interaction,
entertainment and quick access to information. The digital self is the aspect of the self that is
expressed or shared to others through the use of digital technology especially the internet
and social networking sites.
In our present time, a lot of people are into using social media networks, specially the youth.
Personally, my currently favorite is Instagram and Twitter. I love posting to my stories, such as
my pictures or glimpse of how my day went. And I admit that whenever I get likes form other
people, I feel delighted. And with Twitter, it became my safe space. I can freely express my
emotions through tweeting, which somehow lessen my burdens.

SPIRITUAL
SELF

As a Christian, my spiritual self matters to me a lot. The goodness of God has always been
evident all throughout my life. God even sacrificed Jesus Christ for my salvation, that's why
there's no reason for me to not honor and serve Him.
I'm very active in attending church activities. I even use my talent which is singing in glorifying
the name of the Lord. Whenever, I'm at church, I always felt peace within me. Moreover, I've
met wonderful people who became my brothers and sisters in Christ. I'm grateful for His words
that continuously guide me in my everyday living Indeed, no one compares to the joy in
serving the Lord.
Whenever I'm going through struggles and a lot of pain in life, I always hold on to my faith. I
strongly believe that God will never leave me nor forsake me, I just have to trust Him with all
my heart. And I'm a living testimony that I've won a lot of battles not because of my own
strength but because of God.

POLITICAL SELF

Being a responsible citizen of the country,
something that involves my political self is
exercising my right to vote. Not only for the sake
of complying, but for the sake of our whole
country's welfare. I've learned that we should be
wise enough, to choose who is capable,
experienced, and credible to lead our country.

When I was in high school, I engaged myself in our
Supreme Student Government. It was a wonderful
experience of mine, in which I've learned a lot in
regards of being an effective leader. It gave a
sense of fulfillment being able to serve and help
my fellow students.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Something I can be proud of is that I'm a consistent honor student, from grade school to my
senior years. I value my studies a lot, making me a competitive type of student. I always strive
for having high grades. I study hard not only for myself but for my parents to be proud of me.
as well.

When I look back, it makes my heart happy to see how far I've come and how much I've
accomplished. It was never an easy and comfortable ride, I've gone through sleepless nights, a
lot of times of giving up and wasted to much tears. But, here I am, I kept on going to achieve
my goals in life despite of it all.

FUPsTyUchRomEetSricEiaLnF

Short story time hehe, During COVID pandemic, I was at my lowest. I lost people that I thought
I can't live without. All I felt was pain. I felt hopeless, that I cannot get out of that deep misery
of my life. Then I have this friend of mine, she helped me go through it all. She never left my
side and never get tired of being patient with me. She became my therapist. Her existence
was one of the reason that I kept on going. I've won my battles and became a better person.
That's when I realized that I want to be that kind of person too. I want to bring hope to the
hopeless. I want to be that friend that they can lean on. I want them to feel understood. With
that, I decided to take up Psychology. I wanted to broaden my understanding towards human
mind and behavior.

4 to 5 years from now, I hope that I'll be able to finish my degree in Bachelor of Sciences in
Psychology, already passed the boards being a Registered Psychometrician. I see my future
self, touching people's lives.