Words by Britt Berrisford.
It’s often in hindsight that we can identify life’s turning points; those monumental decisions, physical moves or groundbreaking emotional discoveries that contribute to your current self.
For me, hindsight helped me recognize the birth of my own self-awareness practice. I didn’t necessarily discover “who I am” (because let’s be honest, that is ever-evolving), but rather noted the point in time when I inadvertently made a commitment to reflect regularly and rationally on how social situations, consumption choices, physical activity and atmosphere can contribute to a positive lifestyle and my overall happiness.
So when did this all happen? It happened when I started my #itsalifestyle journey.
My decision to change my eating habits and get active created more space in my life for personal reflection and self-love. In shifting my lifestyle, I also started to ask more questions of myself, dive deeper into my own emotional reactions and test out alternative actions to get the best “feeling” or results. I was becoming more self-aware.
Before developing self-awareness, I would endure aches, pains and stomach upset without question and I would force myself into uncomfortable social situations that hindered my ability to contribute with confidence…among other hang-ups.
I have since learned that knowing myself and having an ability to digest and respond to life as it comes allows me to make swift changes where necessary, develop resiliency, and invest positively in my own well-being. By practicing self-awareness, I started to understand what is right and good for me.
And while I’ve made some progress with practicing self-awareness and adjusting my habits, it’s challenging. Sure, self-awareness can help you build a happier, healthier, more honest life, but it’s not a cure all and it’s definitely not easy. It takes time and effort and of course, an ability to forgive yourself when you slip up because trust me, you will.
So how can you start or continue to develop self-awareness? While adopting a vegetarian diet and incorporating a gym routine may not be the inciting force for everyone, here are some things you can do.
3 Tips for Establishing & Maintaining Self-Awareness
- Write it down. I am not someone who has kept or will ever keep a journal divulging my daily happenings. However, I have found personal value in two journaling techniques that have drastically increased my own self-awareness.
- Food Journaling. NOT a calorie counter but a journal that allows you to track your digestive response and energy level along with your intake. There are some fantastic templates online but a simple notebook with a basic log also works great.
- Three Word Journal. This allows you to write down three feelings/themes/descriptors of your day, which can be supportive in understanding patterns in mood and matching it to circumstances and life happenings. Again, there are some great journals you can buy, or you can use a blank notebook as long as you remember to log the date and time you are all set.
- Flex that muscle. Self-awareness is ever evolving, and it is a muscle that needs to be flexed and strengthened. Challenge yourself once daily to reflect on one aspect of your day, whether it is physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. You can choose to make it a weekly activity or make a daily habit. Whatever you choose, zone in and take note. Record your ebbs and flows and amaze yourself with your discoveries.
- Live in your challenge zone. Whatever is uncomfortable for you, do that. If sharing your feelings or reactions with loved ones is uncomfortable for you, try to do more of it. If incorporating movement into your daily schedule is uncomfortable for you, push yourself to do it. When you live in your comfort zone, you keep your level of self-awareness stagnant, but when you live in your challenge zone, you push yourself to feel more, experience more and react more. Just remember to log (either mentally or physically) your patterns of response so you can deepen your personal understanding and build your resiliency.
Go forth and dig deeper #itsalifestyle
Self-awareness can be a very personal journey but it never hurts to share practical tips and best practices. As you begin or continue your own self-awareness journey, we welcome any suggestions for establishing and maintain self-awareness. Share yours with the Heart On Collective!
– Heart On –
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