🔼: [[Protector Strategies 🛡️]] # 🛡️ Projection > "Takes one to know one!" A word referring to moments when we unconsciously attribute our disowned [[💡 Thoughts|Thoughts]], [[⭐️ Emotions]], or traits onto another person or object, so that we see them as belonging to someone else rather than ourselves. This frequently happens when a [[💡 Parts|Part]] of us has been [[💡 Exiles|Exiled]] or sequestered into our [[💡 The Shadow|shadow]] and the [[💡 Protector Parts|Protector Part(s)]] who did the exiling see(s) a similar part in another person. Getting clear on what we're projecting and what is *really* there is essential for [[🦮 How to make decisions|🦮 making important decisions]], especially in our [[⭐️ Community|⭐️ Communities]] and [[⭐️ Relationships]]. Projection is not a “bad” thing — it's normal and our awareness of it can help us grow. And not everything is projection. Sometimes we are accurately assessing the dangers in front of us. - [[🔑 We can't really see other people when we're blended]] - [[🔑 If it's intense it's yours]] - [[🔑 Our minds are natural story-tellers]] - [[🔑 Do not create people in your mind]] ###### Negative Projection Negative Projection is when we attribute aspects of our own [[💡 The Shadow|shadow]] onto another person or object and negatively react to what we "see" in someone else (and not ourselves). > [!example] Example > Someone with [[🛡️ Performing|🛡️ Performative]] [[💡 Protector Parts|Protector Parts]] might accuse others of being "fake," projecting their own tendencies onto them. > > We may feel as if someone close to us is abusing us. If we're able to get clear on what we're projecting onto that person, it will become much easier to tell what in the relationship is a [[💡 Part Constellation]] being [[💡 Trigger|triggered]] (which we can attend to) and what might actually qualify as abuse. > > This is essential, because if we can't separate the two we could end up damaging relationships which might be good for us or [[💡 Gaslighting]] ourselves into staying in unhealthy or unsafe relationships. ###### Positive Projection Moments when we attribute our own repressed positive qualities or characteristics (sometimes called the [[💡 The Shadow#The Golden Shadow|"Golden Shadow"]]) to another person or object. > [!Example] > Someone generous might project their own generosity onto a friend, when that isn't entirely accurate. > > - Group think "One of us!" > - Tribalism > - See also: [[💡 Idealization]] ###### See Also - [[🦮 How to integrate your Shadow]] - [[💡 Obsessions|Obsessions]] [^1]: