Self-Awareness: An Agent of Change
Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, a difficult or contentious relationship, addictions, etc., one of the first tasks to create change is to develop more self-awareness. Try tuning in to what’s going on inside of you. Mindfulness has been a big buzz word for the past few years, and for good reason. We are bombarded with sensory overload and a constant filling of our time (usually involving electronic devices). Much of our life goes on auto-pilot and we fall into patterns of behavior and thought that we’re hardly even aware of. Slowing down and paying attention creates space for us to understand ourselves and others so much better. Albert Einstein is credited with saying, “No problem can be solved by the same consciousness that caused it in the first place”. In other words, we need to get to a higher level of consciousness in order to solve our problems. How do we do that? By shifting out of auto-pilot and into greater self-awareness! Get more information on the table.
Here’s a technique to help you get started. I encourage you to write it on a post-it note and put it up where you’ll see it multiple times a day. It’s helpful to have a visual reminder!
1. Notice your feeling: Where do you feel this in your body? Try to identify what thoughts/beliefs/circumstances caused this feeling in you. What preceded it?
2. Name your feeling: Put words to your experience
3. Sit with your feeling. Recognize the impact it’s having on you. What is it prompting you to do? Use your emotions as information to determine your next best course of action.
You can also pay greater attention to the behavior and reactions of those around you; particularly the impact your words and actions have on them. Whether you’re thinking about starting therapy, or you’re already working with someone, start “collecting data”. This can be done just in your own mind, or by writing down some of your thoughts and observations. Raising your level of self-awareness will also help you increase your social and emotional intelligence. Start with this one, simple practice to reap countless benefits for life.
