The Benefits Of Self-Reflection

Benefits of Self-Reflection

The Benefits Of Self-Reflection

Can you believe that 2021 is almost totally behind us! It’s crazy to think about how much can change in a year which makes this the perfect time for a little self-reflection or as we like to call it a self-check-in. Self-reflection by definition is “Meditation or serious thought about one’s character, actions, and motives.”

Self-reflection isn’t a new concept; I am sure you have heard of it before, but the question is how often do you stop to self-reflect or check in on how you are feeling and how do you go about this reflection process. 

Below are the most important benefits of self-reflection:

• Self-reflection allows us to understand and make sense of the challenges and triumphs we go through by helping to let go of confusion and frustration. Self-reflection enables us to consider and process what we’ve experienced which allows us to think deeply and seriously about the meaning of our situations.

• Self-reflection allows us to understand and make sense of the challenges and triumphs we go through by helping to let go of confusion and frustration. Self-reflection enables us to consider and process what we’ve experienced which allows us to think deeply and seriously about the meaning of our situations.

• Self-reflection allows you to step away from the situation, reflect on it then readjust and come back with a solution. This process can be applied to practically everything in life. Have you ever been stuck on a problem or stuck in a situation and then you go take a long walk to “clear your head” or to “process” then you magically come up with an answer? This was most likely the result of self-reflection even if you were unaware you were reflecting. It allows you to gain perspective on what matters and what can be ignored.

By practicing self-reflection you create a life full of more intention and self-acceptance which leads to overall happiness. When you go through life without stopping to think and reflect, you just go from one thing to the next without learning or gaining a deeper understanding of life.

What Is Self-Reflection?

Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Although this may be true, we live in a fast-paced world. With cell phones, social media, and Netflix, there is always a distraction. 

Self-reflection (also sometimes called “personal reflection) is about becoming aware of your thoughts, actions, and feelings and how this can impact the overall quality of your life. It’s the process of looking deep into your:

  • Thoughts 
  • Emotions
  • Motivations and finding out the “why” behind each one

This personal awareness brings attention to the current moment as opposed to the future and always thinking about “what’s next.” It’s a time when you can challenge an old way of thinking to make way for a new thought or a time to recognize how you’ve changed. 

Macro And Micro Aspects Of Self-reflection

Self-reflection benefits give you the opportunity to analyze your life from both a macro and micro level. 

Macro

At the macro or big-picture level, you can examine the overall direction of your life. You’re able to: 

• See where you’re headed

• Decide whether you’re happy with the direction you’re going

• Make adjustments as necessary

Micro

At the micro-level, you can consider your responses to particular situations and events. According to Gail Browning, Ph.D., “Reflection is a deeper form of learning that allows us to retain every aspect of any experience, be it personal or professional — why something took place, what the impact was, whether it should happen again — as opposed to just remembering that it happened. It’s about tapping into every aspect of the experience, clarifying our thinking, and honing in on what really matters to us.”

The Importance Of Self-Reflection

Without self-reflection, we would all just simply go through life without thinking. We’d move from one thing to the next without taking the time to judge whether things are going well, what things are working, and what things aren’t. The result of this is that we often get stuck.  Maybe in a job, we don’t like, or a relationship that isn’t working.

Reflecting helps you develop your skills and review how effective they are, instead of just going on doing things the way you always have. It is about positively questioning what you do and why you do it, then deciding whether there is a better way. Understanding who you are now, and who you’d like to be, helps you identify the steps you need to take on that journey.

Not reflecting on our life causes us to keep running and trying to keep up with things, even if they’re not going well. You may wind up doing the same things over and over just trying to keep your head above water, even when they aren’t getting the results you wanted.

Practicing Self-Reflection

You may be saying “yeah yeah, that’s great but how do I practice self-reflection.” Well, engaging in self-reflection takes discipline and deliberateness. Pushing the “pause” button on the chaos of life is required. 

You need to take the time to think seriously about your life, which is not an easy thing to do. And practicing self-reflection can seem challenging or odd if you have never stopped to think about it or practiced it before.  But just like everything, the more you do it the easier it becomes. 

Start with asking yourself these types of questions:

•Strengths: What are my strengths? Do I remember things? Am I well organized?

•Weaknesses: What are my weaknesses? Do I need more practice with a certain skill? 

•Skills: What are my skills? What am I good at?

•Problems: What problems at work or home may be affecting me? Are there distractions or responsibilities that affect me?

•Achievements: What have I achieved?

•Happiness: What makes me happy? Are there things that I’m disappointed with or unhappy about?

Solutions: What makes me happy? Are there things that I’m disappointed with or unhappy about? What can I do to improve in these areas I’m not happy with? Take some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle of your day-to-day. If possible, try to meditate or practice breathing exercises. 

Meditation

• If you are new to meditation, there are several free guided apps and videos to help. Become aware of the thoughts coming in and out of your head and redirect or reframe them when needed. This is a great time to practice self-appreciation and rewriting negative thoughts.

• Decide the period of time you want to look back on: Last week, last month, last year, or the last 5 years? Then, start to think about what actually happened during that period. If you have a journal, this will be easier for you and a reminder of the value of keeping a journal.

• Try writing: This could be a journal, a story, a script, or just a stream of thoughts. Release your thoughts to paper and being able to see them and absorb them will help. You recognize patterns or subconscious thoughts.

List Your Highs And Lows

List your highs and lows. Looking through your planner, journal, and pictures will help with this. 

Write your highs and lows in your journal and take time to reflect. Are there any patterns in your highs and lows?

• Do your highs generally involve certain people or activities? For the lows, ask yourself if it was within your control. If yes, consider what you might do next time. If no, ask yourself how you might be able to find peace with it.

• Focus on something that calms your mind, possibly reading a book or taking a walk outside. Getting out of the moment and the stress of the day allows you to process and “unwind.”

• Lastly, check-in with yourself. Are you where you want to be in your career, in your relationship, with your education, and so on… Then based on these answers devise a plan and revisit your goals possibly setting new ones or scaling others back.

• Practice gratitude!

Rate Your Level Of Self-reflection In Aspects Of Your Life

As you look back at the time period you chose, rate yourself on a scale of -5 to +5 on each of the following six areas of your life. After choosing your ranking, write down why you feel that way. Expressing your emotions and feelings are some of the benefits of self-reflection and a good way to have a deep and meaningful understanding.

  1. Mind: Do you feel clear-headed, challenged intellectually, and engaged in life?
  2. Body: Does your body feel healthy, strong, and cared for?
  3. Soul: Do you feel connected to the world around you and at peace?
  4. Work: Are you feeling fulfilled and interested in your work?
  5. Play: Are you joyful and taking part in activities that bring you joy?
  6. Love: Do you feel positive about your relationships?

Don’t hurry through this. Take plenty of time to reflect on each area. Or you can just focus on what has been on your mind that week. Additionally, it can be helpful to practice self-reflection as an end of the month review or an end-of-the-year personal review.

Live An Examined Life 

Do yourself a favor and take a moment today or tonight or this week and try self-reflection!  This form of personal analysis can help you put your life into alignment with what you want it to be. If you can’t take a moment every day start with every month, then every week and eventually this will become not only a daily practice but one you enjoy and come to rely on. 

FITTEAM Can Help You Improve Your Life With The Benefits Of Self-reflection 


FITTEAM encourages everyone to live their best life inside and out! If you are looking for inspiration or motivation, we encourage you to join our daily morning motivational calls. They take place every day at 11:00 AM EST time by dialing (712)-770-5603 with access code 443469#. Contact us today to learn more.

References:

www.holstee.com/blogs/mindful-matter/self-reflection-101-what-is-self-reflec

www.open.ac.uk/choose/unison/develop/my-skills/self-reflection

www.aconsciousrethink.com/10258/self-reflection/