The Mind Committee

A psychological sitcom starring your Id, Ego, and Superego

This week I thought we could all do with a laugh. We’ve had some heavy topics lately, so in the name of science and sanity, let’s talk about the Mind Committee.

Now that I’m knee-deep in my Diploma of Counselling, I’m learning all sorts of fascinating things about how our minds work. Some of it’s enlightening, some confusing, and some makes me realise I’ve basically been a walking psychology experiment for years.

This week’s subject: Freud’s model of personality i.e. the Id, the Ego, and the Superego.

Not That Kind of Ego

Let’s clear one thing up first.
When people say, “He’s got a big ego,” they usually mean “He thinks he’s God’s gift to humanity.”
But in psychology, the Ego isn’t about arrogance at all, it’s about balance.

Think of it like this:
The “big ego” guy at the gym is ruled by his Id, the one who loves flexing in mirrors and talking loudly about protein and PB’s.
The Ego, in the Freudian sense, is actually the mediator, the part that keeps the impulsive Id and the rule-obsessed Superego from destroying each other.

So the Ego doesn’t make you cocky; it keeps you functional.
It’s not shouting, “Look at me!”
It’s whispering, “Let’s think this through before we do something daft… again.”

Meet the Committee

The Id is the wild one.
The impulsive, pleasure-seeking, zero-patience voice in your head shouting, “Do it!”
If the Id were a person, it’d be the mate who tells you buying a jet ski on credit is a great idea because “you only live once.”

If the Id is that mate, the Superego is the uptight moralist, the one reminding you it’s winter and you can’t swim.
It’s the voice saying, “That’s not appropriate,” “You’ll regret that,” or “Put those donuts down, you’ve already had six.”
If the Superego were human, it’d be the class prefect who reminded the teacher there was homework due.

And right in the middle… caught between chaos and guilt… is the Ego.
The Ego’s job is to keep the peace, negotiate a truce, and hopefully prevent total disaster.
Basically, it’s the exhausted parent trying to stop the Id from lighting fireworks in the lounge room while the Superego lectures about fire safety.

Real-World Examples

Picture this:
You’re driving. Someone cuts you off.
Your Id wants to ram their car and invent new swear words.
Your Superego reminds you that prison food is terrible.
Your Ego just turns up the radio and mutters, “Let it go.”

Or you’re at home, and the kids knock over a full drink onto your freshly folded washing.
Your Id wants to roar.
Your Superego says, “Remember to model calm behaviour.”
And your Ego just stands there, smiling through gritted teeth while dying inside, wondering if it’s too early for bed.

My Own Committee

For most of my adult life, the Id ran the show.
I used to tell everyone that spontaneity was my favourite word in the dictionary… and I meant it.
If an idea popped into my head, I was already halfway to doing it. Try to stop me at your peril.

One moment I’d decide to fly to the other side of the world; the next, I’d be gone. Hours from making the decision.
I’d literally force myself to act fast because I knew if I hesitated, someone would try to ruin my fun with rationality… and rationality, to me, back then.. was just boring. 😴

I’ve adapted a lot and changed in recent years but if you know me well enough, you’ll know it’s still a powerful force that needs supervision.

My Superego barely got a look in.
He’d be clearing his throat to speak when the Id had already bought the ticket and ordered a pint at the airport bar.
By the time he spoke up, we were halfway to Vegas airport. Or Thailand.. or wherever it was, that particular week.

But Immigration detention and prison.. and life slowing down somewhat… has given the Ego a bit more time at the microphone.
These days, I actually hear all three voices before acting.
The Id still has ideas… plenty of them…(just ask my girlfriend how many she has to absorb on a weekly basis), the Superego still polishes its halo, and the Ego quietly reminds me I’ve fought too hard for my visa to let either of them ruin it.

So next time you find yourself in a heated moment, whether it’s road rage, temptation, or donuts… remember, it’s just your Mind Committee having a lively debate.
Let the Ego take the chair for once.
He’s not always the life of the party, but he’s the one who keeps the lights on.

And that, my friends, is today’s Unshackled Sunday… science, sanity, and a bit of laughter from inside the wire.
The Committee approves this message.

Stay Unshackled, My Friends

Stephen

Disclaimer

As most of you know, I’m currently in Immigration Detention. Any mentoring or support I offer… whether to my fellow detainees or to people beyond these walls… is given freely, with no charge attached. I don’t accept payment for mentoring, whilst I am in custody. The real “reward” is seeing the effort the lads put into becoming the best versions of themselves. My commitment is simple: that anyone I work with here leaves stronger, wiser, and better than they came in. That’s the whole point of rehabilitation, isn’t it?

Now, a quick note for clarity. While voluntary donations (mostly from family and friends) sometimes come in through this writing platform to help me get by, they’re never expected, never required, and never a condition for access. Everything I share… words, support, encouragement… is available to everyone, with or without a donation.