The two defense mechanisms that I have chosen that describe my unconscious mind best are rationalization and sublimation. First, rationalization is a very big part of my everyday life and I recognize it is something that my dad gets very mad at me for. When something goes wrong or I forget to do something I always come up with an excuse as to why I was unable to complete the task at hand. I don't see it as a problem while I'm doing it because I do it so often I don't even realize it's happening. For example, when I don't unload the dishwasher or vacuum the living room when I am told to do so my dad comes upstairs and yells at me, of course, and asks why I ignored him. Most of the time I blame my lack of participation in household chores and activities on my homework load. Very frequently I will tell my parents that I was stuck upstairs studying or working on a project or reading and while it is the truth, it's still an excuse. I rationalize why I am forgetting to do important things by blaming it on another important thing. Working on homework should seem like a good enough reason to forget to do other things because it is something that other parents have to hassle their kids to do. However, after a while my parents just get tired of it.
Sublimation is very prevalent in my life, as well. I see myself as a very driven and competitive individual. I am someone who needs to have a teacher like me most, get the highest test score, or work the hardest. I think I am able to take that competitive, and sometimes destructive, trait of mine and turn it into a positive by bringing that attitude onto the track. I use that competitive edge to help me get ahead in my academic life as well as in my time spent involved in athletics. I am someone who trains very hard to be the best and beat every other female distance runner both on my team and on other teams. Whereas over-competitveness in everyday life could end up being a detriment, when it comes to sports the undying will to win can really never be a bad thing.
