<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>This paper addresses the consequences of practicing personal development upon the daily life and interactions of individuals. In this context, I will describe how practitioners are applying the principles and techniques of personal development in order to transform the way individuals are relating to themselves and to others. In parallel, I will analyse how the ideology of personal development is assumed, by negotiation, in connection with the neoliberal project. This article aims to bridge a gap in the literature by showing how practicing personal development can restructure everyday experiences, emphasizing the negotiation of the intrinsic values of personal development techniques and how it (re)configures relationships and social interactions.</p></abstract>

This paper addresses the consequences of practicing personal development upon the daily life and interactions of individuals. In this context, I will describe how practitioners are applying the principles and techniques of personal development in order to transform the way individuals are relating to themselves and to others. In parallel, I will analyse how the ideology of personal development is assumed, by negotiation, in connection with the neoliberal project. This article aims to bridge a gap in the literature by showing how practicing personal development can restructure everyday experiences, emphasizing the negotiation of the intrinsic values of personal development techniques and how it (re)configures relationships and social interactions.

I Am Worthy, I Want, and I Can: The Social Implications of Practicing Personal Development

Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai Sociologia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

This paper addresses the consequences of practicing personal development upon the daily life and interactions of individuals. In this context, I will describe...

I Am Worthy, I Want, and I Can: The Social Implications of Practicing Personal Development

Published Online: Jan 27, 2017

Page range: 49 - 70

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/subbs-2016-0010

Keywords
personal development, neoliberalism, everyday practices, relationships

© 2016 Elena Trifan, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

I Am Worthy, I Want, and I Can: The Social Implications of Practicing Personal Development

Published Online: Jan 27, 2017

Page range: 49 - 70

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/subbs-2016-0010

Keywordspersonal development, neoliberalism, everyday practices, relationships

© 2016 Elena Trifan, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
personal development, neoliberalism, everyday practices, relationships