In 1882, Friedrich Nietzsche released The Gay Science, which he described as “the most personal of all my books.” He wrote it after a difficult period in his life—his previous work hadn’t been well-received, a close friendship had ended badly, and his health had deteriorated, with severe migraines and vomiting eventually forcing him to leave his teaching job. Yet, surprisingly, the book has a joyful tone. More: Heal your life: The empowering philosophy of Louise Hay
At the bottom of us, really “deep down,” there is, of course, something unteachable, some granite of spiritual fatum [personal fate or destiny], of predetermined decision and answer to predetermined selected questions. Whenever a cardinal problem is at stake, there speaks an unchangeable “this is I.”
Friedrich Nietzsche
This is where Nietzsche first wrote, “Become who you are.” Unlike common advice to “discover” or “be yourself,” Nietzsche’s idea of “becoming” yourself suggests something more complex. It raises the puzzling question: how can I become what I already am? Throughout his writings, Nietzsche leaves hints to help us understand this deep idea.
Some might feel cautious about taking advice from a sickly philosopher known for questioning traditional morals and truths. However, despite common misunderstandings, Nietzsche wasn’t a nihilist out to erase all human values. His life’s work aimed to replace the moral gap left by the decline of religion. He rejected the guilt-driven moral systems of his day because he wanted to guide people toward mental well-being, personal greatness, and true virtue. More: How can stoicism wisdom help you become less reactive to negative events?
Friedrich Nietzsche and descent into the depths of the human psyche
Nietzsche saw psychology not as a detached science but as a tool to invigorate life. For him, understanding the mind was a path to becoming fully oneself—a guiding theme in his life and writings. In The Gay Science, Nietzsche encouraged readers to strive toward a deep sense of selfhood. This idea reflects a key belief: rather than simply “being oneself,” one must actively “become” who they are. It’s an idea that requires digging into one’s psyche, which Nietzsche believed was layered, complex, and often difficult to face.
Unlike other philosophers who analyzed the mind, Nietzsche didn’t limit himself to studying only what society or tradition deemed acceptable. He argued that many thinkers before him had been held back by unexamined moral beliefs and an unwillingness to confront their depths. He saw these tendencies as blocks to true psychological understanding. In Beyond Good and Evil, he criticized mainstream psychology for avoiding the most complex layers of the mind out of fear or moral restraint. Nietzsche, on the other hand, wanted to explore all aspects of the human psyche, even the most challenging parts. More: The power of progress: Commit to daily self-improvement
To Nietzsche, the human mind resembled a vast, layered landscape with endless depth, making complete self-knowledge nearly impossible. He was influenced by the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who believed the soul was boundless and complex. Nietzsche agreed, suggesting that as people examine themselves, they continually uncover new layers, each one hiding more beneath. To know oneself fully, Nietzsche believed, would require more than peeling away superficial layera. It would mean an endless journey inward, where each layer reveals yet another hidden truth about who we are.
The risk and reward of inner journey according to Nietzsche
Nietzsche noticed that most people avoid this kind of inner exploration. Instead of venturing into the depths, they stay on the surface, focusing on the roles they play in everyday life without truly questioning or understanding themselves. He argued that this superficial approach makes people disconnected from their true nature. By contrast, Nietzsche chose to dig deeper, investigating the foundation of his mind and beliefs with relentless curiosity. He described his journey as a bold descent into the unknown, a path that few are willing—or able—to take.
However, Nietzsche was also aware of the dangers of self-exploration. He warned that a deep dive into one’s mind requires courage and resilience, as confronting the unconscious can sometimes lead to mental instability or even madness. He described this inner exploration as entering a psychological labyrinth, full of unexpected challenges. Nietzsche saw this journey as so intense and personal that it’s easy to lose one’s way, facing feelings of isolation or even inner torment along the way. For Nietzsche, only those willing to face these risks could unlock the deeper understanding and personal growth that lies within. More: Your choices mirror your self-evaluation
The courage to confront inner chaos
For most people, exploring the depths of the self may seem unnecessary or even risky. But for a rare few, this inner journey becomes essential. Nietzsche believed that some people have more complex, turbulent psyches compared to the general population, filled with contradictions, conflicts, and inner chaos. To avoid being overwhelmed by these forces, these individuals must dive inward, shaping their minds with intention.
Goethe, according to Nietzsche, worked to shape his chaotic inner life into something whole and unified. He created himself from nothing but instead worked to discipline his inner drives and forge a consistent identity. For Nietzsche, building oneself doesn’t mean ignoring or reshaping one’s true nature. It means understanding and sculpting one’s inner character within its limits.
Nietzsche argued that each person has an essence, a deeply ingrained nature that defines who they can truly become. This “granite” of personality, as he called it, holds within it a sense of destiny, revealing itself when we confront major questions or challenges. In these moments, our deepest self speaks, declaring, “This is who I am.”
This core self is shaped not only by our personal histories or family traits but also by the influence of past cultures and traditions, which continue to affect us on a deep level. Nietzsche believed that the “experiments” of ancient societies and civilizations live on within us, creating a kind of internal chaos. Our drives and tendencies have roots in the lives of our ancestors and the history of humanity itself. To truly understand ourselves, Nietzsche urged us to study history—not just as a passive observer, but as a way of making sense of the forces that shape our own inner lives. More: How moral values provide a safe harbor?
Nietzsche’s insights on exploring inner chaos and finding purpose
Nietzsche believed our psyche, much like modern culture, carries remnants of the past—shaped by myths, traditions, and experiences of ancient human life. However, many people today feel adrift in a chaotic world, a disconnection Nietzsche traced to a loss of “historical sense,” or an understanding of our roots in history. Without this link, Nietzsche thought, we become restless, aimlessly seeking new ideas to fill the void left by a forgotten past. More: Past life regression – much more than a passing trend
Nietzsche argued that we aren’t just products of personal experiences but are also deeply influenced by prehistoric impulses. Beneath our well-mannered selves lie primal drives, like those for aggression and desire, which Nietzsche called “the beast within.” He didn’t think we should ignore or suppress these forces. He urged us to understand and control them, using their raw energy to enrich our lives.
Yet, Nietzsche believed these raw drives coexist with ancient instincts, or the “divine animal” within us—natural, unconscious behaviors that helped our ancestors thrive. Modern people, he argued, have largely lost touch with these instincts, relying only on conscious thought, which he saw as our “weakest organ.” Nietzsche warned that we overlook the wisdom embedded in our deeper, instinctual selves, leading us to live fragmented lives, full of contradictory desires and impulses.
To bring unity to this internal chaos, Nietzsche suggested finding an “organizing idea” or a “ruling passion” that aligns our conflicting drives. This master drive, discovered through life experience, can guide us toward a meaningful goal, shaping our character and uniting our energies around a singular purpose. For Nietzsche, the ultimate task is to sculpt oneself with intention, to become like an artist who carefully forms and refines a masterpiece from chaotic material. More: Discover your true path with North Node
