Who Looks Outside Dreams, Who Looks Inside Awakes.

The outside world reflects your ambitions, but the inside reveals your essence.

It got me thinking...

I can't help but notice how much we’re all looking outwards; scrolling social media, chasing goals, comparing ourselves to others. It’s like everyone is caught in a collective daydream, always searching for meaning somewhere out there. But then I think of Carl Jung’s famous words: “Who looks outside dreams, who looks inside awakes.” And I wonder, are we all just sleepwalking through our lives, hoping someone else holds the key to our happiness?

It’s like standing in front of a mirror, trying on different outfits to see which one looks “right,” all while ignoring the fact that it’s the person inside the outfit who really matters. Maybe the answers we’re seeking aren’t in the latest trend or that next big milestone, but within ourselves.

Take my client, Rachel. A 35-year-old marketing executive, she had it all, or so it seemed. A high-paying job, a stylish apartment, and an Instagram feed full of #bossbabe moments. Yet, in therapy, she confessed to feeling like a fraud. She kept chasing external validation, but no promotion or perfect post ever left her feeling truly fulfilled. “It’s exhausting,” she said one session. “I feel like I’m always running, but I don’t know where I’m going.”

Together, we shifted the focus inward. Instead of asking, What do others think of me?, Rachel started exploring, What do I think of myself? It wasn’t easy, inner work never is, but as she started journaling and reflecting, she uncovered passions she’d long ignored and reconnected with parts of herself she’d neglected. Over time, she realized that true success wasn’t about impressing others; it was about aligning with her own values.

Then there’s Alex, a 40-year-old entrepreneur. When his business failed, he spiraled into self-doubt, convinced his worth was tied to his career. “I feel lost,” he admitted during one session. “I don’t know who I am without my company.” For Alex, looking inward meant facing some uncomfortable truths; his fear of failure, his need for control, and the pressure he placed on himself. But in doing so, he discovered that his identity wasn’t just his work. He began dreaming of a new path, one rooted in creativity and connection.

Science backs this up. Studies in psychology highlight the importance of introspection for well-being. When we spend time examining our thoughts and emotions, we gain insight into our desires, strengths, and blind spots. This process, known as self-awareness, helps us build resilience and find a sense of purpose that isn’t dependent on external circumstances.

It’s like cooking. You can follow a recipe perfectly, but the real magic happens when you taste, adjust, and make it your own. Looking outside is like sticking to the cookbook; looking inside is like trusting your instincts as a chef.

So, what if we stopped chasing dreams outside ourselves and started awakening to who we truly are? Maybe, just maybe, the life we’re searching for isn’t out there but within, waiting for us to wake up and notice.

I can’t help but wonder: are we brave enough to close our eyes to the noise of the world and open them to the truth within? Because in a world full of dreamers, maybe it’s the awakeners who live the most.