I had enormous ambitions and believed I could achieve extraordinary things, yet I was still wasting hours doomscrolling, procrastinating, and choosing comfort over the person I wanted to become.
I had enormous ambitions and believed I could achieve extraordinary things, yet I was still wasting hours doomscrolling, procrastinating, and choosing comfort over the person I wanted to become.
Then, at sixteen, a psychology class introduced me to Carl Rogers and his theory of self-actualisation: the idea that every person has the potential and the natural drive to become more of who they are capable of being. For the first time, I understood the frustration I had felt for years. There was a gap between who I was and who I believed I could become. I became obsessed with closing it.
Then, at sixteen, a psychology class introduced me to Carl Rogers and his theory of self-actualisation: the idea that every person has the potential and the natural drive to become more of who they are capable of being. For the first time, I understood the frustration I had felt for years. There was a gap between who I was and who I believed I could become. I became obsessed with closing it.
BEFORE + AFTER / REBUILDING SELF-IDENTITY
The work was not only about what I could achieve. It was also about rebuilding the self I could recognise, respect, and bring into the world.
Six months later, at seventeen years old, I crossed the finish line of a 62-mile ultramarathon in Kansas City. The following year, I was admitted to the University of Virginia—something my younger self could hardly have imagined.
Six months later, at seventeen years old, I crossed the finish line of a 62-mile ultramarathon in Kansas City. The following year, I was admitted to the University of Virginia—something my younger self could hardly have imagined.
For a short period, I felt that gap disappear. My actions finally matched my ambition. I had experienced what Rogers called congruence.
For a short period, I felt that gap disappear. My actions finally matched my ambition. I had experienced what Rogers called congruence.
Actualis was founded from the pursuit of that feeling—and the belief that far more people are capable of reaching it.
Actualis was founded from the pursuit of that feeling—and the belief that far more people are capable of reaching it.