Increase your self-awareness in five steps

Posted 4 years ago in topic Various

Live your life according to your own values, follow the path that feels right for you how do you do that? Do you feel free and strong enough to really make your own choices? Or would you like to be more aware of what fits with your own identity?

Living an authentic life starts with self-awareness. And so you can train that.

When are you self-aware?

"With an awareness of your own inner strength and value", that is how Van Dale describes the adjective "self-aware". Self-awareness has to do with the realization of your own existence and the experience of what is going on in your mind and body. Self-aware people attune their choices to what they need inwardly - and what they don't need. They are aware of the patterns in their daily life and see how those patterns affect their existence.

In other words, one who is self-aware is able to live with full conviction from his or her own heart. And that can be quite a challenge. Especially in a world where expectations seem to be sky high. In which we are faced with a hundred choices every day, whereby - if possible - we would rather make the decision yesterday than today.

It is all the more important to trust your own intuition. Not to become entangled in the web of external influences, but to lead your life from your inner strength and value.

Well, we all want that. But how do we do that?

Personal process

If you want to increase your self-awareness, there are at least two important rules that you must remember. One, being self-aware is not a goal in itself, but a path that you walk throughout your life. Two, there is no one universal way to become more self-aware. It is a very personal process.

Fortunately, there are a number of general steps that everyone can take. They come from renowned wellness expert Sadie Lincoln and will help you in the right direction.

Find out which frequency of "training" suits you

Just like those muscled arms and a better condition, your self-awareness does not come into play all at once. Regular training is therefore key. Make self-awareness training a part of your daily life, but do it in a way that suits you. Do you want to plan a self-conscious moment every day? Which can. Would you rather reflect on your own identity once a week? Also fine. Be realistic and don't force yourself to spend too much time on your exercise. It must remain fun and challenging and not become an absolute obligation.

Which exercise is right for you?

There are numerous methods to practice self-awareness. Don't get distracted by what someone else is doing, because the best teacher is you. Do you like to meditate? Would you rather work with a coach? Do you get your self-reflection from laying tarot cards or do you like to gain insight into your way of thinking by writing your thoughts off? Ultimately, it is about consciously paying attention to who you are, in the way that suits you.

Focus on your body

What does your body need physically and mentally? If you keep that question in mind while exercising or exercising, you will build more than just muscles and fitness. You are then engaged in mindfulness during exercise and that increases your self-awareness. One of the most effective ways to exercise mindfully is to focus on your breathing. You can apply this in any way of movement. During your next workout, try to breathe in and out very consciously, calmly and timidly and feel what is happening in your body.

Make self-awareness a part of your everyday life

In time, you will notice that your self-awareness exercises start to feel more natural. The feeling of "training" diminishes and instead self-awareness becomes part of your daily routine. When you are out of balance, have had a stressful day or are faced with a difficult choice, you will experience the emotions that come with it more consciously. And that makes you more self-aware.

For example, it will become easier to reset your body and mind after a period of a lot of stress because you are very aware of that stress. Instead of continuing at full power, you choose what is right for you. You follow your own path and do it more frequently, because it is becoming your way of life.

You don't have to do it alone

Does it feel uncomfortable to reflect on your own identity and are the above steps not your thing? Do not write it off immediately, but seek help. This can be in the form of a book, a coach, a buddy, you name it. When you have something or someone you can fall back on during your journey to a more self-aware life, you are less likely to give up. Moreover, reflecting together is sometimes even more fun (and useful!) Than alone.

Finally, remember that living self-consciously doesn't have to be hard. Do it your way and reap your own benefits. After all, it is your path and your identity. Do you feel free and strong enough to really live your own life? That's what it's about.