Welcome to the "Self" Series—a journey into the heart of who you are and who you can become. In this series, we'll explore nine essential topics that shape our understanding of ourselves and guide us toward the highest level of fulfilment.
Each week, we will focus on one of these topics in the following order:
Self-awareness
Self-acceptance/love
Self-esteem
Self-care
Self-belief
Self-concept
Self-discipline & self-control
Self-development
The higher self
Join us as we embark on this journey of self-recovery, unravelling the layers of the self and cultivating a greater understanding of the boundless potential that resides within us.
Self-Awareness: Getting to Know Yourself
In the "Self" Series, self-awareness is the starting point and the foundation upon which everything else is constructed. So let's roll up our sleeves and learn a little more about who we are. It's a journey worth taking, and we're glad you're here with us.
Being self-aware is all about knowing yourself, your motivations, and the reasons you do the things you do. By gaining self-awareness, you gain clarity about your strengths, weaknesses, values, and goals, which enables you to make better decisions and live a more fulfilling life. One powerful tool to enhance self-awareness is through the practice of positive self-talk. In this blog post, we'll discuss what self-awareness is, how to develop it, and the transformative power of self-talk.
What is Self-Awareness?
Being self-aware means observing your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours without judging them. It's the ability to look within and identify one's own emotions, ideas, and actions without letting outside influences affect them. It involves being mindful of your actions and their consequences, as well as knowing your motivations and beliefs. Self-aware individuals are better able to overcome obstacles in life, form meaningful relationships, and accomplish their goals. Even when it’s difficult, try being honest with yourself.
Steps to Enhance Self-Awareness:
Body Scan Meditation: Practise body scan meditation, where you systematically focus your attention on different body parts and observe any sensations or tensions without judgment. This helps you connect with your physical self and become more attuned to bodily signals of stress or discomfort.
Embrace Silence: Set aside regular periods for silent reflection or solitude. Disconnect from outside distractions such as technology and immerse yourself in the stillness. Silence provides a space for introspection and self-discovery, allowing you to hear your inner voice more clearly.
Reflect on Your Values and Goals: Make a list of your values, beliefs, and long-term goals. Reflect on whether your actions are consistent with your values and if your goals are still meaningful to you. This self-reflection can help you gain clarity about what matters most to you and guide your decision-making process.
Practise Intuitive Decision-Making: Trust your intuition and listen to your gut feelings when making decisions. Pay attention to the subtle cues and sensations in your body that signal whether a choice is in line with your values and objectives. Developing your intuitive skills can help you become more self-aware and lead to more genuine and fulfilling life choices.
The Power of Inner Dialogue:
Self-talk refers to the internal conversation that occurs in our minds, shaping our perceptions, beliefs, and behaviours. Positive self-talk involves using uplifting, affirming language to boost confidence and self-esteem. On the other hand, negative self-talk consists of self-critical thoughts that undermine our confidence and impede personal growth.
By harnessing the power of positive self-talk, you can reframe negative thoughts and beliefs, cultivate a more optimistic outlook, and improve your self-awareness. Here are some unique methods for implementing constructive self-talk into your day-to-day activities:
Mirror Affirmations: Every morning, stand in front of a mirror and recite positive affirmations while maintaining eye contact with yourself. This direct visualisation can further enhance the impact of the affirmations and boost your self-confidence.
Gratitude Walks: Go for a walk in nature or around your neighbourhood while expressing gratitude for the beauty around you, the opportunities in your life, and your unique qualities. Verbalising your appreciation can even amplify the positive effects of gratitude and promote self-awareness.
Personalised Mantras: Create personalised mantras or slogans that resonate with you and reflect your values or aspirations. Write these mantras on sticky notes and place them in prominent locations like your desk, bathroom mirror, or refrigerator as gentle reminders of your positive traits and goals.
Power Poses: Adopt power poses—stances associated with confidence and assertiveness—while silently repeating empowering affirmations. This combination of physical posture and positive self-talk can strengthen feelings of self-assurance and readiness to face challenges.
Affirmation Cards: Create a deck of affirmation cards with motivational messages or quotes that inspire you. Shuffle the cards each day and choose one at random to be your affirmation for the day. Carry the chosen card with you or display it in a visible location as a source of encouragement throughout the day.
Daily Gratitude Journal: Dedicate a few minutes each day to write down three things you're thankful for as well as one positive self-affirmation. Reflecting on your blessings and strengths in writing can help you develop a grateful mindset and reinforce positive self-talk.
Self-awareness is a journey of self-discovery and personal development that requires ongoing reflection and introspection. During stressful or challenging times, our self-awareness can frequently be obscured by overwhelming emotions and racing thoughts. These trying times can make it difficult for us to reflect on and understand our actions and reactions. However, it's precisely during these difficult days that practising self-awareness becomes the most crucial. Acknowledging our emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations amidst stress empowers us to navigate adversity with greater clarity and resilience. That's also why self-awareness is the foundational step in our coaching program towards personal growth and emotional well-being. By using cognitive behavioural therapy, among other tools, you can gain invaluable insights into patterns of thinking and behaviour, facilitating more adaptive coping strategies and fostering lasting positive change.
Above all, remember to be kind and patient with yourself along the way, as self-awareness is a lifelong process of learning and growth.
Xin Yi Ng (Michelle)
Research & Development Lead
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