7 Tips for Becoming Self Aware
“Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” - Dr. Wayne Dyer
In the course of our lives, we experience many depths of challenges. We are expected to be growing so we have a great deal of forgiveness. Somewhere along the way, we forget that we are always growing.
In college, I was a musical theater student. I spent most of my time being someone else. I was pretty oblivious to who I was. I found myself devastated my senior year to not really be cast in any roles. With all the extra time on my hands, I got to go on adventures and make new friends. These new friends shined a light on my true self. What I thought was the worst year of my life became the best year of my life.
Being aware of where you are growing can change how you react when things happen in your life. Can you see the challenges as opportunities for growth?
So, where are you growing in your life? Not sure? Explore these seven tips on how to become more self aware of your growth.
1. Pay attention to your words.
Start paying attention to the conversations you are having with yourself and others. Is there a theme that keeps coming up for you? Something you keep fighting against? Something you desire? Start to pay attention to your words. This can be a key to understanding where you are growing.
2. Take time to journal.
You can start journaling for self awareness anytime. Pay attention to themes that keep popping up for you. Are you always writing about a particular conflict or struggle? Is there something you aren’t writing about too?
3. Look for clues of growth in what you watch, read, or listen to.
What movies, series, books, podcasts, and articles do you love right now? A picture is worth a thousand words. You may find a commonality between where you put your attention and yourself. In fact, I’ve noticed the shows I watch are a mirror for my own life. Here is a worksheet that can assist you in this journey.
“And I said to my body softly, ‘I want to be your friend.’ It took a long breath and replied, ‘I’ve been waiting my whole life for this.’” ~Nayyirah Waheed
4. Notice your body.
Listen to your body. Your body has so much to communicate. Take a moment to pause throughout your day. Close your eyes and ask your body how it is feeling. You can even ask your body what it needs. Notice what emotions, needs, desires, or memories come up for you? These are clues to where you are growing. These may even be clues to where you are healing yourself too.
5. Create a Meditation Practice.
Meditation is a great way to recenter yourself. Meditation enhances self awareness. When you meditate, you are taking time to be with yourself. Being in the present moment is a great way to begin to understand where you are in your life.
6. Create time to move your body.
Take time to exercise in ways that work for your body. That could be five minutes of stretching or thirty minutes on the treadmill. Exercise improves your mental health. It also is a great way to bring your attention to the present moment. When you are present, you start to uncover or realize things.
7. Seek professional assistance.
There are so many unique resources to increase mental health and communication such as online counseling or group therapy at community centers. For myself, therapy helped me to become more self aware. I found new answers to my life questions. I really began to understand the depth of where I was growing with the help of a professional.
Here are a few resources: Talk Space, Better Help, Pride Counseling, and a list of Apps for Mental Wellness.
One key thing to notice is where you are living in your life. Do you lean into it or resist it? Can you see how challenges are a part of a bigger plan for yourself?
Even when it gets tough, you are still growing through something - not going through something. See the truth of the matter. See the full picture - not just the problem - so you can ride the waves of your growth and validate your own personal life journey.
