# Pilar Sordo on Emotional Time and the Power of Internal Dialogue

Psychologist Pilar Sordo explores how language and emotional acceptance shape our personal identity.

- **Source:** [La Nación](https://www.lanacion.com.ar)
- **Published:** 2026-11-06
- **Topic:** [health](https://brifing.si/c/health)
- **Original article:** <https://www.lanacion.com.ar/lnmas/pilar-sordo-explica-la-diferencia-entre-el-tiempo-real-y-el-emocional-en-un-segundo-puede-pasarte-nid06112026/>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a0d21794-94f7-460c-bedd-2cb0e49ef6ce

## Identity is Not Static

Chilean psychologist Pilar Sordo argues that human personality lacks static traits, evolving constantly through shifting priorities. During a recent discussion, she emphasized that individuals change continuously over time. She noted that emotional time differs significantly from real time, where a single second can trigger events that fundamentally modify one's personal history.

## The Internal Dialogue Mechanism

Sordo identifies internal dialogue as the most basic unit of mental health. Her eight years of research suggest that the way individuals speak to themselves defines their self-love and worldview. This narrative process directly influences personal resilience and the ability to maintain confidence when facing the inherent uncertainties of modern life.

## Vocabulary and Emotional Health

The expert warns that a shrinking lexicon, driven by excessive technology use, poses risks to emotional well-being. Citing psychiatrist José Luis Marín, Sordo explains that a lack of vocabulary prevents the expression of complex feelings. This linguistic scarcity often leads to increased frustration, as people struggle to articulate their internal experiences accurately.

## Authentic Conversational Challenges

Genuine conversation requires a willingness to be transformed by the words of others. Sordo warns against falling into the trap of intermittent monologues, where participants fail to engage deeply. True communication demands that individuals expose themselves to new perspectives, allowing the exchange to influence their own internal state and personal growth.

## Acceptance of Personal Vulnerability

Successful maturation requires the acceptance of vulnerability and the abandonment of rigid internal structures. Sordo suggests that individuals must integrate external changes with their internal reality to foster growth. By letting go of fixed identities, people can embrace new ways of being, which is essential for navigating the complexities of human development.

## The Role of Pain

Sordo asserts that growing is inherently painful, yet contemporary society often attempts to escape discomfort. She advocates for docility in the face of suffering, arguing that rebellion against pain only causes it to persist. Embracing difficult experiences allows for deeper learning, whereas avoiding them hinders the natural process of human maturation.

## Impact of Digital Habits

The reliance on visual resources and digital tools has contributed to a degradation of language. Sordo emphasizes that we are speaking less and using fewer words, which limits our capacity for emotional expression. This trend is not merely a linguistic issue but a psychological one that affects the quality of social interactions.

## Pathways to Resilience

Ultimately, strengthening mental health involves monitoring one's personal narrative and expanding vocabulary to express complex emotions. By choosing to be open to transformation through dialogue and accepting the inevitability of pain, individuals can build greater resilience. These practices allow for a more authentic engagement with both the self and the world.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.lanacion.com.ar/lnmas/pilar-sordo-explica-la-diferencia-entre-el-tiempo-real-y-el-emocional-en-un-segundo-puede-pasarte-nid06112026/ — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
