Self-reflection can be a scary task, but in the end, it will lead to a deeper self-awareness and understanding.
Self-reflection is reviewing your past (day, week, etc..) and determining where you can improve or where a particular situation went wrong.
It can be used in many different ways and has many different benefits.
This post is about five self-reflection benefits you’ll love.
I would love to tell you I’ve always been good at self-reflection…but truthfully, I’ve just always been a huge overthinker and analyzer.
There is a difference between this and self-reflection. Self-reflection comes from a place of observation and neutrality. You are searching within to discover aspects of your personality that drive your emotions and behaviors.
While doing this, remember you are not looking to nit-pick or change things about yourself. The idea of the practice is to observe and understand WHY things are the way they are.
In simpler terms, be present with yourself and bring your attention inward to evaluate your thoughts, emotions, and actions.
The main benefits of self-reflection:
1. Improved relationships
When you can focus and work on yourself, it will branch out to your relationships as well. The next time a friend or partner tells you something you don’t necessarily enjoy hearing, take a moment to reflect and see where they are coming from. (I mean if they tell you that you don’t listen to them enough or cater to their feelings the way they do yours)
2. Personal growth
Self-reflection will inevitably lead to a development in your overall character. When we take the opportunity to reflect on our character and actions, we can better ourselves. It isn’t easy to grow as a person if you aren’t focused on where you want to be growing.
3. Gaining perspective
Reflecting allows us the opportunity to see ourselves the way others see, not only us but the world. When we gain perspective on other people and situations we become much more knowledgeable and ultimately understanding.
4. Better decision making skills
This one may seem obvious. When we take time to reflect on our actions, it leads to us making better and more thought-through decisions. Additionally, reflecting allows us to understand the why of some of our actions, which will help us prepare and make better choices in the future.
5. Improved trust in yourself
When you consistently reflect, you learn a lot about who you are and what you want. These things will allow you to trust yourself, your gut, and your feelings in all other areas of your life.
How To Practice Self-Reflection:
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Journaling
Use your journal to reflect on your day, big and small events in your life, and anything else you find necessary. The beauty of journaling is that it has no limits. You are able to write and reflect without any boundaries.
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Worksheets with prompts
This is a great option for those who don’t know where to start. Even if you do, having some ‘guide’ rather than a blank page can feel way less stressful. You can find these anywhere with a simple Google search. But, I do make my own!!
AND if you sign up with your email you will receive a free self-reflection worksheet digital download!
Personally, self-reflection has taught me how to trust myself and my intuition. I’ve learned the things that trigger me and the things that energize me.
I’m using the word “trigger” in terms of mentally and physically. I am sensitive to some foods and I have physical issues that require me to keep up with daily stretching and exercises to manage. These are things that took me time and reflection to learn that daily stretching leaves me feeling really good and eating breakfast before taking my meds.
My all-time favorite method of self-reflecting, and self-care in general, is journaling. I will likely never stop journaling. It always allows me to organize my thoughts and clear my mind. I often get racing thoughts when I’m stressed, so I like to journal and write out the exact plans of my day to feel more prepared.
I hope you enjoyed this post and found something useful. I’d love to hear back on how you self-reflect or how you plan to now!
This post was all about self-reflection benefits.
Thank you for reading!
XOXO, Marissa <3