Most of us long for a quiet corner in our minds, a place where stress doesn’t rule and worries don’t rattle us day and night.

Carl Jung, the pioneering Swiss psychiatrist, wrote extensively about the inner workings of the human psyche.

Most of his insights still resonate today.

He believed that peace doesn’t just happen on the surface—it blossoms when we understand ourselves on a deeper level.

If you’ve been searching for that calm center within, here are 8 approaches inspired by Jung that might help you get there.

1. Embrace your “shadow”

Jung talked quite a bit about the “shadow” self, which is basically the parts of us we’d rather not admit exist.

Maybe it’s anger, jealousy, or a deep fear. Hiding these feelings can make them more powerful over time, and they can pop up in unexpected ways, sabotaging your well-being.

I had a lightbulb moment when someone close to me pointed out that I seemed quick to judge others for flaws that reminded me of my own slip-ups.

It was no fun to realize, but it taught me that ignoring my less-flattering traits could lead to the exact behavior I disliked in others.

When I finally acknowledged those difficult parts, I began to feel more balanced.

It looks like the experts in psychology have been saying for a while now that confronting the shadow self can foster genuine personal growth.

By actively accepting all parts of who you are, it becomes easier to rest in a state of peace rather than constantly grappling with internal conflicts.

2. Listen to your dreams

Jung believed dreams weren’t just random stories playing in our heads at night.

He saw them as messages from the unconscious, brimming with clues about our deeper desires, anxieties, and inner turmoil.

In other words, your dreams might be trying to tell you something important.

You don’t need a doctorate in psychology to benefit from dream exploration.

All it takes is a small amount of curiosity and maybe jotting down a few notes in a journal when you wake up.

Over time, you might notice patterns or symbols that point to unresolved issues.

Once you spot these themes, ask yourself:

“Is there something in my waking life that matches up with these symbols?”

If the answer is yes, that’s your chance to address it.

The more attention you pay to these subtle hints, the more clarity you’ll gain about what’s really on your mind.

3. Foster individuation

Jung’s concept of “individuation” is about becoming the fullest, truest version of yourself.

That means integrating all parts of your personality—likes, dislikes, quirks, and everything else—into one cohesive whole.

It’s the process of walking your own unique path.

I once realized that I was clinging to expectations handed down from people around me, rather than pursuing what felt authentic. It was like going through life in someone else’s shoes.

After some reflection, I let go of the need to live by other people’s standards.

That decision felt incredibly freeing, and it certainly brought more peace to my everyday life.

Over at Psych Central, they point out how self-exploration can reduce stress.

And when stress goes down, our capacity for tranquility goes up.

When you aim for individuation, you’re essentially clearing the path for a richer, more peaceful experience of life.

4. Work with an active imagination

Active imagination is a technique Jung championed.

You engage with images or feelings that arise within you—almost like daydreaming with a purpose.

The idea is to sit quietly, let your mind wander, and then observe what pops up.

I’m not saying I’ve got every solution, but I’ve tried my own version of active imagination.

Sometimes it’s a brief scenario that plays out in my mind, illuminating fears I hadn’t fully acknowledged. Other times, it reveals hidden strengths.

By the end, I feel like I’ve had a meaningful conversation with a part of myself that doesn’t typically speak up in everyday life.

If you’re a regular reader here at Global English Editing, you may remember I once wrote about using creativity as a gateway to self-discovery.

Active imagination has a similar vibe, except you’re more intentionally immersing yourself in the material that comes up.

This technique can be a real game-changer if you commit to giving it a shot regularly.

5. Recognize projections

One of Jung’s key ideas is that we often “project” our own unresolved issues onto others.

Imagine noticing a trait in someone that drives you crazy—only to realize that you, deep down, carry that trait yourself.

It’s a humbling realization.

I used to get irritated when I saw folks who seemed overly cautious in their decisions.

Then I had a talk with my granddaughter—she teased me about how I agonize over every small choice, from picking out groceries to planning a vacation.

Turns out, I was guilty of the same reluctance I accused others of having.

Maya Angelou once said, “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”

I like to think that includes learning about your own blind spots.

Once you spot a pattern of projection, you can use that knowledge to approach others with more understanding, and yourself with more honesty.

That honesty fosters an inner calm, since you’re no longer blaming others for what’s actually going on inside you.

6. Nurture the soul (whatever that means to you)

Jung was known for weaving spiritual and mythological elements into his psychology.

He believed that nurturing the soul, or the essence of who you are, leads to a more grounded sense of well-being.

That could look like prayer, meditation, walking in nature, or any practice that refills your emotional tank.

In my earlier years, I found a lot of solace in daily walks through the countryside.

Something about the rustle of leaves and the smell of fresh air helped me quiet the mental chatter.

It reminded me of the bigger picture, which, in turn, made my day-to-day worries feel more manageable.

This lines up with what the researchers at the National Library of Medicine found, and they point out that engaging in reflective and spiritual practices can enhance emotional resilience.

By caring for your inner life, you’re building a fortress of calm that life’s storms have a harder time tearing down.

7. Make space for inner dialogue

Jung believed that there are different parts of the psyche—the conscious, the unconscious, the persona, and more.

Inner peace often hinges on letting these parts “talk” to each other rather than staying disconnected.

One simple way to encourage this conversation is through journaling.

Jotting down your day’s ups and downs can illuminate what’s swirling in the background of your mind.

You might discover repeating themes: a fear of failure, a longing for connection, or a sense of boredom with your daily routine.

Bringing those thoughts into the light is the first step toward working with them.

Viktor E. Frankl once said, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

I love that line because it highlights the power of self-reflection.

When you engage in a regular inner dialogue, you become more flexible and more willing to adapt. That flexibility sets the stage for lasting tranquility.

8. Seek wholeness over perfection

Finally, but believe me, this one’s a biggie — Jung’s whole approach emphasizes wholeness, not the chase for flawlessness.

Perfectionism can keep you in a constant state of stress, forever feeling like you fall short.

Wholeness, on the other hand, means integrating all aspects of yourself—the good, the messy, and everything in between.

I spent years trying to “fix” my perceived imperfections, only to find that the more I fought them, the more they controlled me.

When I accepted that I’m allowed to be a work in progress, I felt a lightness I hadn’t experienced before.

Life still has its challenges, but facing them with a mindset of compassion toward myself is a whole different ballgame.

Conclusion

Jung’s teachings might seem a bit deep at first glance, but they boil down to knowing yourself on a level that’s often overlooked.

That means investigating your dreams, shining a light on hidden parts of your psyche, and embracing the full spectrum of who you are.

If you want to start applying these insights, here’s a quick rundown of what you can do:

• Write down your dreams for a week or two and look for recurring images.
• Keep a small journal where you note emotional patterns or triggers.
• Practice being honest about your “darker” traits. Spot them, own them, and explore ways to integrate them.
• Reflect on areas where you might be projecting onto others. Then reel that projection back in and examine it for clues about yourself.

Finding inner peace isn’t a single-step process. It’s more like a journey through the layers of your own mind.

Jung’s ideas can serve as a compass, guiding you toward wholeness instead of constant self-criticism.

And wholeness, in my experience, is where tranquility likes to settle in and stay for a while.