I think the concept of “bag stuffing” that is mentioned at the beginning of the chapter is both interesting and important. From the time we are born and through our lives we are conditioned beings. Meaning we are taught by other human beings, typically parens, how to speak, act, and thrive in society. The factors and “way” of conditioning comes from the expectations and stereotypes set by society. An easy example of this would be boys wear blue and play with trucks while girls wear pink and play with Barbies. A sweeping generalization of what each genders attributes are, but it is often the reality.
If an individual chooses to not want to partake in the conformities of society, they are, in most cases, socially exiled. Over time this can create what Jung describes as “bag stuffing.” I believe that everyone in society chooses to hide certain parts of themselves in order to be considered socially adequate or “normal”. There is no one definition of normal, as it is often based on cultural factors over facts. We show these parts of ourselves to those we fnd . For some individuals, those parts are never shown. One way I find bag stuffing can be released is through writing. Although writing is not a replacement for professional help, it can be a therapeutic exercise. The individual is able to express parts of them that are hidden, almost like an alternative persona or true self. Poetry, due to it’s emotionally expressive nature, is both a creative and easy method. If we create art, we can hold onto those bagged parts of ourselves. We do not become the shell or “thin slice.”