What is Projection?
…and exploring the relationship between projection, self awareness, and empathy. Featuring Andy Mineo’s I Swear, This is not an Andre 3000 Dis Song
Have you ever been let down by a parent, or a friend, or a loved one? What about someone you look up to? Or a favorite artist or athlete? What about for our readers who are hip hop fans - what was your response to Andre 3000’s record New Blue Sun released in 2023?
A few weeks ago Andy Mineo delivered an amazing song and music video titled “I Swear, This is Not an Andre 3000 Dis Track. After listening, I can confirm that it indeed is not a dis track! Instead, it’s a beautiful, introspective look at Andy’s internal response to Andre’s foray into instrumental flute music rather than new rap records. Andy risks vulnerability to process his reaction in song and models some great takeaways for when we feel disappointment in those we most look up to. In order to avoid potential spoilers, watch the video below first before reading on to learn more about what Projection is and what to do about it.
What’s Projection in Therapy?
Sometimes your therapist will point out moments in which you’re “projecting” onto another person in your life. But what is projection? The APA defines projection as “one attributes one’s own individual positive or negative characteristics, affects, and impulses to another person or group. This is often a defense mechanism in which unpleasant or unacceptable impulses, stressors, ideas, affects, or responsibilities are attributed to others.”
I like this definition because it doesn’t qualify projection as a good or bad thing - in fact, as evidenced in Andy Mineo’s song, we can see Andy’s projection onto Andre 3000 as an essential method to exploring his own identity as a rap artist. A layman’s definition of projection might be something like, “when we put our stuff onto another person.” An example might be something like when you’re having low self esteem and say something like “nobody likes me;” projection means that maybe you don’t like yourself, and instead of acknowledging that, you project your perceived unlikability to others. In such an instance, projection isn’t very helpful because it prevents you from working on your own issues (to learn more about avoidance, check out last week’s post).
When Projection is a Good Thing
Projection can be a really useful tool. When we project our feelings and perspectives onto another person, it can help us to look at our own stuff through a more open and objective lens. Hopefully by now you’ve watched the video that I’ve linked above. If not, go ahead and listen now. Andy Mineo tells us that he recognizes that he’s projecting on Andre 3000, when he sings near the end of the song:
“But if I'm comin' clean, this got more to do with me, it isn't you
'Cause you're an artist I aspire to, now you gone and retired
I think my deepest fear is that I see myself inside of you
It's been three years and I been quiet too
And all this time, I been inside the stu'
Everything I cook up feel meh, like it's kinda cool
Got me really thinking like, man, maybe my time is through”
Keeping this sentiment in mind, that Andy Mineo might see his deepest fears projected onto Andre 3000, listen to the song one more time and imagine that Andy Mineo is singing to himself instead of Andre 3000.
Projection as a Tool
When your therapist points out that you may be projecting your own thoughts, feelings, or perspectives onto someone else, they’re doing it with a purpose. Be open with your therapist and examine it - maybe, like Andy Mineo sings in this song, you might just develop a great sense of self awareness. It’s also worth noting that projection can help with being empathetic - rather than being critical or judgmental of Andre 3000’s desire to produce instrumental flute music instead of raps, he relates and takes guesses about what might’ve led to this apparent reinvention.
How Future Full of Hope Can Help
It’s hard to see projection for yourself. If you’re having difficulty with relationships in your life and you never seem to be the problem, participating in therapy with Future Full of Hope may help. We help you to draw attention to the way that you’re engaging the world around you, help you notice ways in which you might be projecting your experience onto others, and support you to develop self awareness that lets you navigate what’s really going on inside. If you’re familiar with Andy Mineo’s discography, you know that he often speaks openly about his own mental health and engagement in therapy, and I’d guess the introspection show in I Swear, This is Not An Andre 3000 Dis Song is in part a result of the work he did in therapy.
Reach Out to Get Started with Therapy Today!
AI Disclaimer: This post is original and written by Kevin Boyd of Future Full of Hope, PLLC. No AI tool was leveraged to write this post
