5 Steps to Practice Self Awareness

5 Steps to Practice Self Awareness

Practicing Self Awareness is something I have been trying to do for the past year. Understand my new life goals and emotions better, has been critical to be more content in the present moment.

How I perceive something directly impacts my physical wellbeing. My thoughts can make my mind fly at 100 miles per hour, and trap me in non-sense beliefs that can trigger all sorts of pain. The sense of lack of control increases my stress level and makes me feel impotent.

I feel empowered and stronger when I choose my thoughts and emotions thoughtfully. Being self-aware means being able to take on what is right for me and discard what is not.

What Ifs 

On the other hand, “what ifs” can easily cut my optimistic-side short, fill my heart with fear, and make my days more threatening.

As I allow anxiety and worry to take over, the voice of hopelessness starts inside my mind, and I shut down.

The sense of loss of control can easily trigger a flare for me. It can come as fatigue, systemic body pain, or rashes.

Consciousness

Being more conscious-aware of my choices makes me feel more powerful and at peace in the middle of a storm.

People talk about tools to help us learn more about ourselves, what blocks our happiness, and impacts our health. Lots of ideas can easily be found on the web or in self-help books.

Nevertheless, I decided to make a shortlist of what works for me. Hopefully, this can help you start practicing your self-awareness too.

1- Journaling

• Writing down how you see your life and routine. Write about happy moments and how you face challenges. Identify what type of emotion is triggered. Use drawings and pictures, review the feelings, and identify what you can do to be in a better mental place.

2- Professional help

• The support of a trusted, competent counselor has worked miracles for me. Family and friends can help, but in my case, they don’t have the professional knowledge needed. I know there is an extra cost associated with this option, but there may be non-profits available in your area that can help in case your insurance does not cover this type of benefit.

3- Before bedtime

• Do a mental recap of your day, a few minutes before falling asleep at night. Identify made you feel better and happier throughout the day, what you would do differently, and what you learned. Find at least three things you are grateful for. Being thankful is one of the most critical elements for our path to happiness.

4- Be present

• Being attached and suffering for what happened in the past does not make things better, quite the opposite. Being anxious about the future does not help us have more control. When I focus on the present, on my breath, it helps me calm down. Some people can call this meditation. Whatever word you choose, it is a great tool to identify what I am feeling, what may be blocking my happiness, and what I need to let go of.

5- Faith and spirituality

• Believing in God has been my safe pier when I feel overwhelmed. Trusting a supreme Being that cares and loves me unconditionally, have helped me go through my worse phases. We are never alone, sometimes all we have to do is to ask for help.

I hope you find your path, one that brings more self-awareness, hope, and optimism to your journey.

Yours truly,

Hope

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” – Helen Keller

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