Self-reflection is a process of
revisiting and analyzing our past behavior. It involves diving deeper into our
minds, to recognize our feelings, emotions, motivations and desires with an
attempt to find the 'why' behind them.
At the micro level, we can evaluate
our behavior, our responses to particular situations or circumstances and analyze
them and on a macro level, we can study the trajectory of our life. This gives
us a clear picture of where we are headed, and whether we are going in the
right direction.
Importance of
Self-Reflection
In today's time with our fast-paced
lives, trying to keep up with the speed of the world around us we keep pushing
through life without having a conscious thought . This often gets us in
situations where we feel stuck.
·
Gaining Perspective: Hitting the pause button on life for a
few minutes regularly helps us in identifying what matters and what doesn't.
·
Responding more effectively: Self-reflection helps in
identifying tasks and priorities that are important to us. Which helps in
allotting more time and attention to them. On the other hand tasks that are
lower in importance require less mental effort.
·
Facilitates Learning and Understanding: Self-reflection
enables us to decode our past experiences. By taking some time to think deeply
and ponder the meaning of certain experiences and emotions, we start developing
a holistic attitude towards life.
Practicing Self-Reflection
Micro level-
·
A few minutes of self-reflection practiced daily or weekly,
helps us recap our recent past and review our actions in a very detailed
manner. This helps in identifying several minute details of our behavior that
resulted from the events that were happening around us.
Macro level-
·
Self-reflection can also be practiced at the end of every
month and every year as a personal review. This helps us see the bigger picture
and gain perspective towards life, ensuring that we're making the most out of
our lives. Journal writing, taking a walk, listening to music, exercising,
meditation, healthy self-talk. Identifying the important questions, and
attempting to find answers to them is the goal. Effective and honest
communication with oneself is the most important aspect of self-reflection.
Self-reflection practiced regularly,
or after every new experience helps us enrich our lives in a very interesting
way. Being detached from oneself, looking at the situations as a third person,
or a silent observer helps us in being open to unbiased and honest insights
about our behaviors in the past.
References
Self-Reflection 101:
What is self-reflection? Why is reflection important? And how to reflect. Holstee. Retrieved 14 May 2021, from https://www.holstee.com/blogs/mindful-matter/self-reflection-101-what-is-self-reflection-why-is-reflection-important-and-how-to-reflect.
Self-Reflection, 1. 15 Essential Ways to
Practice Self-Reflection. Minimalism Made Simple. Retrieved 14 May 2021,
from https://www.minimalismmadesimple.com/home/self-reflection/.
The Art of
Self-Reflection.
Thriveglobal.com. Retrieved 14 May 2021, from
https://thriveglobal.com/stories/the-art-of-self-reflection/.
