Written by: Daniel Van der Pluym, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Reflective practices are one of the most effective ways to increase self-awareness. When we are more aware of ourselves, we can better understand our true purpose and navigate life with more certainty.
In this article, we will define these practices and explore the importance of self-awareness in becoming more actualized. We will also provide strategies and tools to assist with various practices so that you can gain a deeper level of awareness about yourself and your place in the world. If you are struggling to understand your true purpose or calling in life, reflective practice is just what you need!
What is reflective practice?
Reflection practices involve the ability to observe actions to develop and improve their performance. It is a skill that can be useful in different areas of life, from work and school projects to personal relationships. Reflective practice helps people to understand their actions and behaviors better so they can learn from mistakes, set goals more effectively, and find fulfillment in what they do.
There are many different ways to reflect. Some people prefer to journal about their thoughts and experiences, while others find it helpful to talk to a friend or counselor about what they are going through. These practices can even be done alone, such as meditation or mindfulness. Whichever method you choose, the goal is the same: to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your place in the world and you are taking the time to connect with yourself on a deeper level. If you are struggling to understand your true purpose or calling in life, intentional reflection may be just what you need to gain greater clarity and move towards personally meaningful outcomes.
How do reflective practices help with self-awareness?
Self-awareness is the ability to accurately assess one's inner and outer world. Through asking larger and more insightful questions, as well as through reflection, an individual may be able to better understand their emotions and processes around making decisions.
Through self-monitoring, one can learn how to find contentment in what they are doing, which in turn may lead to a greater sense of purpose. By examining their thoughts and feelings over time, an individual may be able to make better choices more consistently. In the end, these practices allow an individual to better navigate life in a way that fulfills them rather than drives them away from themselves or others.
Reflection is a powerful way to become more self-aware.
When we take the time to reflect on our thoughts and experiences, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world... If you are struggling to find your true purpose or calling in life, reflective practices may be just what you need!
Two states of self-awareness
Self-awareness is present in both public and personal situations. Public self-awareness is when someone is aware of their actions in front of an audience, while personal self-awareness is when someone is aware of their inner thoughts and feelings.
Public Awareness
This knowledge aids us in following social norms and acting as acceptable society members. Although it has several advantages for people, this awareness is frequently hazardous. People with a lot of these qualities tend to worry too much about what other people think or operate with a high level of self-consciousness.
Personal Awareness
A person can look within themselves and evaluate their internal condition on their own. Individuals who have a high level of private self-esteem are articulate and honest about their emotions and reaction to things. We interact with different people in our lives, and we must be aware of how our thoughts and emotions affect these interactions. If we’re not careful, our relationships can quickly become strained. To have successful relationships, it is essential to understand and be honest about ourselves. We need to know what we are thinking and feeling so that we can share this information with others in an effective way.
Understanding the impacts of personal and social control
It's no secret that personal and social control plays a big role in our lives. We're constantly being told what to do, how to behave, and what's "acceptable" by friends, family, society, and the media. But what happens when we lose sight of who we are and start to conform to others' expectations instead? We can begin to feel lost, disconnected, and unhappy.
When we allow others to dictate our lives, we give up our sense of self-control and independence. We lose touch with what makes us happy and who we are inside. And worst of all, we can start to feel like we're not good enough or worth anything unless we meet other people's standards. But it doesn't have to be this way!
You can reclaim your power by learning to understand the impacts of personal and social control on your life. Start by getting honest about how these forces have been affecting you, then begin making small changes in the way you live your life. With time and practice, you'll find yourself becoming stronger and more confident in who you are. You'll also learn how to stand up for yourself and make your own decisions based on what feels right for you, not anyone else.
The aspects of self-awareness?
One useful method of examining a person is by analyzing their own physical and psychological characteristics, as reflected in their psyche and personality. Whilst self-awareness is often spoken about in general terms, there are four different aspects to it:
Physical self-awareness: This is when we are aware of our physical appearance and how it might be perceived by others. It includes our height, weight, skin color, hair, etc. Awareness of our physical body, the way it feels, and our response to it is an important part of self-awareness. When we are physically OK, our awareness of the physical body is usually strongest. However, all aspects of ourselves affect one another – whether we are consciously aware of them or not!
Mental self-awareness: While we might not always be aware of our mental state, it is still there in the background. This includes our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It also encompasses our beliefs, values, and attitudes. Mental self-awareness is about being aware of what we are thinking and believing about ourselves. It is not a matter of trying to control thoughts but learning how to make them more accurate and helpful.
Emotional self-awareness: Emotional self-awareness is the ability to be aware of one’s own emotions, thoughts, and feelings – and to recognize that they are yours and not someone else’s. It also involves being aware of how others perceive your emotions and thoughts as well as your actions. Being emotionally self-aware can help you to articulate your feelings more effectively, which can allow you to manage difficult feelings in more effective ways.
Spiritual self-awareness: Spiritual self-awareness is when you understand your feelings and emotions about yourself and the world around you. This is about our continuing sense of identity and the realm of what we as human beings value.
Ordinating the different aspects of self-awareness can be difficult, but it is important to try to do so. By understanding all four aspects, we can get a more holistic view of ourselves. This can help us to make better decisions, both in our personal and professional lives.
Common benefits of self-awareness
Becoming someone who is more self-aware has numerous benefits. Here are some examples of common benefits of self-awareness:
It gives us the power to influence outcomes;
It helps us to become better decision-makers;
It gives us more self-confidence — so, as a result, we communicate with clarity and intention;
It allows us to understand things from multiple perspectives;
It frees us from our assumptions and biases;
It helps us build better relationships;
It gives us a greater ability to regulate our emotions;
and it decreases stress.
Carl Rogers and self-actualization
According to Carl Rogers, self-actualization is an ongoing journey where we continuously develop and grow by reflecting on our experiences and learning from them. He explains that all humans have an innate tendency toward self-improvement which allows us to reach our full potential. According to Rogers, a person's sense of self should come from the alignment between their actions and values.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham Maslow identified self-actualization as part of the higher order which grows beyond basic needs. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs details a five-stage model of human psychological development. The first four stages are concerned with establishing a sense of security and meeting basic needs such as food, water, shelter, and clothing. The final stage, self-actualization, is when an individual reaches their full potential and achieves a state of personal growth and fulfillment.
According to Maslow, self-actualization is reached when an individual's actions are in alignment with their values and beliefs. This occurs when an individual can live authentically and be true to themselves. To achieve self-actualization, an individual must be free from external constraints and be able to fully express themselves.
While everyone doesn't need to reach the stage of self-actualization, people need to strive for it. By reaching this stage, individuals can achieve a greater sense of fulfillment and happiness in their lives.
Characteristics of self-actualized individuals
Self-actualized individuals are those who have a deep understanding of themselves and their place in the world. They can act by their values and beliefs, and they continuously strive to grow and develop.
Self-actualized people know themselves well. They understand what they want and what they believe in, and they act by their values. They also strive to grow and develop as people.
Self-actualized individuals are typically happy and fulfilled. They have a strong sense of purpose and meaning in their lives, and they feel a deep connection to others.
Self-actualized individuals are often described as being "in the zone." This means that they are fully present in the moment and they can focus on the task at hand.
How do I know if I'm a self-aware person
Self-awareness is the capacity to be aware of and understand your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It's about the consciousness of who you are as a person and how you interact with your environment.
How can you tell if you're self-aware?
One way to find out is by examining your relationships with others. Do you have close friends and family members who you can trust and open up to? Or do you tend to keep people at a distance?
If it's the latter, then that may be a sign that you're not as aware of yourself as you could be.
Another indicator of self-awareness is how well you handle stress and adversity. Do stressful situations cause you to react in unhealthy ways? Or do they simply roll off your back? Self-aware people usually have a more positive outlook on life, no matter what challenges come their way.
Finally, take some time to reflect on your behavior. Are there certain things that tend to trigger strong reactions in you? What emotions do these situations evoke? By answering these questions, you'll get a better sense of how aware (or unaware) you currently are.
Self-awareness to become more actualized
Reflection offers many advantages, but one of the most valuable is that it aids in self-actualization. Self-awareness can be significantly enhanced by partaking in practices that necessitate thinking about and reflecting on your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
A self-actualized person is one who not only lives authentically but may also have a better sense of how to spend their days and how to spend God’s resources. They are intentional and conscientious in their decisions about how to use what God has given them.
The importance of utilizing negative feedback for self-awareness
To become more reflective and self-aware, it is important to be open to constructive/negative feedback. This can be difficult, as no one likes to hear that they're doing something wrong. Sometimes this feedback can be harmful to our self esteem. However, if utilised effectively constructive feedback is essential for growth and development. It allows us to see ourselves from a different perspective and learn new ways of doing things.
Without this feedback, we would never know when we're making a mistake or could be doing something better. We would simply continue going about our lives without ever improving or changing. So next time someone gives you criticism, instead of getting defensive, try to listen with an open mind. Use it as an opportunity to learn more about yourself and grow as a person.
The purpose of negativity
Negativity has a way of raising our awareness of what we need to change to shape us into the best version of ourselves. We may be our own worst critics, but those around us are there to help us grow and develop as individuals. There's a reason why people call it the "dark side." Negative feedback can provide valuable information to help you learn new ways of doing things and what you can improve on. Sometimes, getting this feedback allows us to change for the better, learn from mistakes and become better versions of ourselves.
Examples of reflective practices and how they support self-awareness
Reflection can take many different forms, but all of them share one common goal: to help us understand ourselves better. Some of these practices include journaling, meditation, and self-assessment.
Journaling is a great way to get in touch with your thoughts and feelings. It can also be helpful to document your progress over time. By writing down your thoughts and experiences, you can see how you've changed and grown as a person.
Meditation is another great way to connect with yourself. It can help you learn to focus on the present moment and accept your thoughts and feelings without judgment. This can be a valuable tool for understanding yourself better and accepting who you are.
Self-assessment is another great way to become more aware of yourself. By taking time to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, you can begin to understand how you can best contribute to the world. This can help discover your true purpose in life.
Reflective questions
What are some reflective questions you can ask yourself?
What are my core values?
How do I want to be remembered?
What is my definition of success?
What makes me happy?
Why do I do the things I do?
Critical evaluation
As humans, we are constantly evaluating. We judge people, things, and experiences. This is a necessary part of our survival instinct.
It allows us to make quick decisions about whether something is safe or harmful. However, this instinct can also be destructive when it comes to our relationships with others and the environment.
We often evaluate too quickly and harshly, without taking the time to understand the situation fully. This can lead to stress and anxiety, which have negative effects on both our mental and physical health.
We need to learn how to critically evaluate situations more consciously so that we can make better decisions that are beneficial for all involved.
Conclusion
Reflective methods are necessary for enhancing self-awareness. We may use reflective techniques to concentrate on the present moment and accept our thoughts and feelings without prejudice. This allows us to comprehend ourselves better and embrace who we are. There are several distinct types of reflective exercises, but they all have the same aim: to assist us in understanding ourselves better. These incorporate journaling, meditation, and self-assessment.
By critically evaluating our thoughts and actions, we can develop into better versions of ourselves that are more beneficial to society as a whole. What reflective practices have you found to be helpful in your journey of self-discovery? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Daniel Van der Pluym, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Daniel Van der Pluym is the founder of Deeper Potential Coaching and part founder of ADHD Ambition. He is a psychotherapist, certified Life Coach and mindfulness teacher. Through his work, he focuses on helping people overcome their life challenges to create a new story of meaning and fulfilment. His work as a psychotherapist coach and part developer of ADHD Ambition is geared towards helping people overcome uncertainty and rumination, so they can live with more clarity and fulfillment.
