Types of internal conflicts and how to overcome them

You feel an inner conflict when two desires or aspirations collide inside you that cannot get along with each other. It’s like you’re stuck in a trap: no matter what decision you make, it feels like you’re losing something anyway. But in fact, this conflict often arises because you don’t fully understand your true needs, and if you figure it out, it can be resolved. There are six main types of internal conflicts, each associated with distinct deep experiences. By understanding them, you can better understand yourself and find a way to harmony.

6 types of internal conflicts and how to overcome them

1. Moral Conflict

A moral conflict is when you are torn between two correct but opposite actions. You understand that both options have value, but you must choose one, which creates an internal struggle. Plato described a classic example of such a conflict. Imagine: You took a knife from a friend, and then you find out that he’s not himself. If you return the knife, your friend may harm himself or others, and if you do not return it, you will break your promise. On the one hand, it’s cheating, but on the other, you can save someone’s life.

Here it is, a moral conflict: both decisions are important, but they exclude each other. Resolving a moral conflict is not easy because it is not about choosing between good and evil but between two values. But you can find a way out if you dig deeper. First, ask yourself: What is really behind this choice? In the example with the knife, it’s not just a matter of “return or not return,” but a matter of security and trust. There may be a third way. For example, do not give back the knife, but honestly explain the reason to a friend and offer help.

Secondly, think about the consequences. Which choice will do less harm or more good in the long run? Sometimes principles are important, but if someone’s life is at stake, it might be worth giving up the rule for the greater good.

Finally, accept the fact that there may not be a perfect solution. You are a human being, not a moral judge. The main thing is to make a choice consciously and honestly to yourself and others and then not blame yourself for the consequences that you could not have predicted. Moral conflicts are not an exam where there is one correct answer. These are the moments when you test your values and learn how to make difficult decisions.

2. The religious

Religious conflict is when your faith is confronted with questions that are difficult to find definitive answers to. For example, how do we combine the idea of an all-loving God with the injustice and suffering in the world? Or what if the scientific facts you believe in are at odds with the principles of religious teaching? Such contradictions can confuse you because they affect the most important thing — your beliefs and the picture of the world.

But the conflict between faith and reason does not necessarily mean that you have to choose one thing. Try to look at it another way. Religion and science are different languages for describing reality, and neither one necessarily negates the other. For example, many believers accept evolution and view it as a tool through which a higher purpose is at work. The main thing is not to be afraid of doubts.

The faith that has gone through the questions becomes more conscious. You can look for answers in sacred texts, reflections, and conversations with wise people. And remember: to doubt does not mean to betray your faith; it means to strive to understand it more deeply.

If some questions remain unanswered, that’s fine; you don’t have to resolve all the contradictions right away. Visit. A F R I N I K . C O M . For the full article .Sometimes, it takes time to reconcile reason and faith in your heart or to make a choice about whether to believe at all.

3. Love Conflict

Love is not only happiness but also a field for internal battles. You can be madly in love with a girl, but you’re terrified of commitment. Or sincerely cherish the relationship but take out all your anger on her. Romance makes us vulnerable. When you open your heart, along with love, comes the fear of losing, of not being good enough, of being hurt. This fear often turns into resistance: you move away, then get closer, then get angry for no reason.

How do I find a way out? Start with honesty and, above all, to yourself. Admit that your conflicting feelings are normal. Fear of intimacy or outbursts of anger often speak not about problems in a relationship but about your boundaries, unhealed wounds, or subconscious attitudes. Try to talk about your feelings to a girl without accusations. Not “you’re suffocating me,” but “sometimes I’m scared of being so close.” And listen to her answer — maybe you’re afraid of the same thing.

Love is not only a feeling but also a choice. You can love and be angry at the same time, want to trust, and be afraid of it. Resolve these contradictions for yourself. Real intimacy begins not when all conflicts disappear but when you stop running away from them.

4. Conflict of self-perception

Self—perception conflict is when you feel a gap between who you think you are and how you act. For example, you are sure that you are kind and sympathetic, but in a fit of anger, you can speak harshly behind the back of the person who offended you. Or you may seem to accept your appearance, but deep down, you constantly compare yourself to others and yearn to be more attractive.

This conflict arises because it is difficult for us to admit that we do not always live up to our ideals. Instead of looking at ourselves honestly, we either make excuses or ignore the uncomfortable moments. First, you need to accept your inconsistency. You are a living person, not a set of ideal qualities. Kind people sometimes get angry, confident people doubt themselves and strong people feel weak; that’s okay.

Also, ask yourself more often why you did that. If you called yourself kind but snapped at someone, figure it out. What exactly caused this reaction? Is it fatigue, fear, or an open grudge? And also, stop dividing yourself into “good” and “bad.” You’re not a saint or a villain; it’s just you. Instead of beating yourself up for not being perfect, try to change what you don’t like gently.

5. Interpersonal conflict

Interpersonal conflict is when you are forced to behave differently from how you feel to maintain a relationship or position. Imagine: You can’t stand your boss, but you smile at him because your job depends on him. Or you don’t like drinking, but you regularly hang out at the bar so as not to stand out from the company. In such situations, you seem to split up: inside one thing, outside the other, and this creates tension.

Every time you suppress your true feelings, you pay for it with inner discomfort. Sometimes, playing by the rules is justified (for example, at work), but if it becomes a system, then think about it. Or the balance between sincerity and tact. You don’t have to be rude to your boss or judge your friends, but you can gently set boundaries. For example: “I don’t like noisy parties; should we go to a quiet cafe next time?” If people appreciate you, they will accept your preferences.

6. Existential Conflict

Existential conflict is when you are torn between the fundamental questions of existence, and no answer seems to be unambiguously correct. Imagine: You genuinely believe that you need to live here and now, enjoying every moment. But at the same time, you realize that if you don’t think about the future at all, you can end up in a broken trough. Or you’re convinced that physical abuse is evil, but when it comes to protecting loved ones, that confidence cracks.

These contradictions arise because life is more complicated than any philosophical concept. Absolute truths crumble when faced with real circumstances. You don’t have to choose between “living today”A and “preparing for tomorrow.” You can do both, finding a balance. Instead of looking for a universal answer for all occasions, solve each question separately.

In some circumstances, it is more important to enjoy the moment, while in others, it is more important to take care of the future. The difference between existential questions is that there is not and cannot be a correct solution to them once and for all. Your views can change, and that’s okay. Instead of agonizing over the meaning of life, direct your energy to specific actions: take care of your loved ones, develop, and make the world around you a little better.