Understanding Our Animal Instincts

What if we treated ourselves with the same kindness we show our pets?

Photo by Alvan Nee on Unsplash

I adore my dog, despite her quirks. She is affectionate, loyal, and charming, yet her irrational fears can be quite amusing. For instance, she thinks the mailman poses a threat every time he delivers a package, and she is convinced that loud trucks outside are a danger. Her jealousy towards our cat seems unfounded, and she often hides under the bed during thunderstorms.

It's perplexing. She’s intelligent and knows many commands (including all the synonyms for “walk” and “treat”). At times, she displays remarkable self-discipline, like when she sits patiently for her medication. She can also sense when my wife and I are too busy to take her outside again.

So, why, at 12 years old, does she still believe the mailman is a danger? Why can’t she coexist peacefully with our (admittedly eccentric) cat?

We could say she’s a silly, irrational animal.

But let’s reframe that thought. My dog is a silly, irrational creature—just like me.

I, too, get caught up in pointless cycles of worry. While I may not bark at the mailman or hide from storms, my anxieties and obsessions are no less absurd.

How many times have I ruminated over someone’s potential disapproval of my work or stressed about financial troubles that never materialized? I’ve engaged in trivial competitions and felt jealousy, even when rationally, I know it’s unwarranted. I often let self-doubt paralyze me, despite years of experience in my field. I find myself trapped in repetitive thought patterns, even though, at my age, I should know better.

These cycles of thought and behavior are not the result of logical reasoning; they stem from my primal instincts. The reality is that my brain operates on a similar level to my dog’s. Much of the time, I act based on instinct and emotion. I am, in essence, an animal, just like her.

For centuries, we humans have resisted the idea of being part of the animal kingdom, often viewing ourselves as separate from it. In ancient Greece, Aristotle placed humans at the pinnacle of the natural hierarchy. Religious beliefs have also reinforced this idea, with many believing that God created humans distinctly from animals, granting us dominion over them.

However, during the Enlightenment, a shift occurred as scientists began to classify humans as part of the animal kingdom. Carolus Linnaeus, the creator of our modern classification system, included humans within the primate order, sparking significant controversy. Critics argued that while humans may rank highest among animals, we should not be equated with them.

Darwin’s theory of evolution, published a century later, further challenged the notion by asserting that humans evolved from other species. This perspective faced considerable backlash, evident in events like the Scopes “Monkey” Trial and ongoing debates in contemporary society.

Yet, the truth remains: we are animals, our thoughts and behaviors shaped by the same evolutionary forces that influence my dog.

Interestingly, I tend to be more forgiving of my dog’s behavioral quirks than I am of my own.

Just as evolution has equipped my dog with instincts to protect her territory and bond with humans, it has given me the urge to worry about perceived threats and seek status within my social group. These tendencies emerged in our ancestors as they navigated life as hunter-gatherers.

We learned to be vigilant against danger while living in environments filled with predators; this instinct, however, is less useful in modern contexts where the threats are often abstract, like difficult emails.

We also developed a fixation on social status long ago. Whether through dominance or prestige, we hold a deep-seated belief that rising through social ranks will benefit us, a notion rooted in our ancestors' quest for mates and resources.

I recognize that my dog’s anxieties are beyond her control. A mix of her past experiences and her genetic makeup makes her jittery and territorial. Although her behavior can be exasperating, I don’t blame her. I think: She can’t help it; she’s just an animal.

So, when I find myself ensnared in my own behavioral patterns—the cycles I’ve been repeating for decades, and will likely continue until my last breath—I should offer myself the same understanding.

The primary distinction between us and other animals is that we justify our actions, making them seem less repetitive and irrational than they truly are. However, if you take a step back and examine your behaviors, you might realize that you are often stuck in similar loops, frequently acting against your better judgment.

This realization can be frustrating. I often question why I struggle to break free from my long-standing detrimental patterns. While it’s important to strive for change, it may be equally beneficial to practice self-kindness.

Perhaps the next time I slip into old habits, I can remind myself: Don’t stress too much about it. After all, you’re just an animal.

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Chapter 2: The Power of Self-Forgiveness

The first video titled "Go Easy On Yourself" emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and understanding our animal instincts, encouraging viewers to embrace their humanity.

Chapter 3: Recognizing Our Shared Instincts

The second video, "Neon Trees - Animal (Viral Version)," showcases the theme of embracing our inner animal and the emotions that come with it.