Self-awareness is an indication of how conscious we are of our thoughts, actions, needs, and desires at any given moment. Most of us follow the same patterns every day. We use the same route to go to work, we talk to the same people, we eat the same range of foods, watch the same TV shows, get into arguments over the same topics. “Why does it matter?” you may ask.
There is no doubt that we need some routine to function as human beings and not be overwhelmed by the constant stream of new information. It is comfortable to get in the car and know exactly what you need to do without re-learning every time you need to drive somewhere. However, some of our familiar patterns may be in the way of fulfilling our desires, being more creative, and feeling more balanced in life.
Research shows that on average we think 50,000 thoughts a day and that they are very repetitive in nature. Moreover, most of our thoughts are either about the past or the future. If we are re-living the dead past or worrying about the uncertain future, what’s left for now, the real present?
There are several benefits of paying attention to your SELF:
• You may discover that a lot of your energy is wasted on thoughts and actions that are not relevant to what you really want.
• You may be able to get rid of a habit that you have been struggling with for a while.
• You may find that you are less reactive and less likely to fall into the familiar argument with your partner, family member, friend, coworker, etc. As a result, your relationships may improve.
• You may discover answers to problems that seemed unsolvable.
• You may be more creative with how you approach situations at home and at work.
• You may be more present for those around you.
• You may feel less stressed and more peaceful.
Here is how you can get to know your SELF better (and it is a learning experience that requires some practice). Practice all or some of these exercises for at least a week (or for as long as a lifetime!):
• Whenever you have a moment (driving, sitting in traffic, sitting at your desk), notice you breath. You don’t have to change it, just notice your inhale and exhale. Try to do it a few times throughout the day.
• The next time you have a food craving, pause and explore how much you want it. Why do you want it? In addition to the mere desire of having something, are there any other emotions or feelings that you notice in your body/mind?
• Every few days try to change something in your routine: take a new route home, sit in a different place in a conference room at work, wear something different, brush your teeth with a different hand, re-arrange something in your home.
• See if you can catch yourself before you are getting ready to react to someone’s comment or before you are getting into a familiar argument with someone. Pause for a second, notice what you feel and where you feel it (e.g., your heart rate may be going up, your throat may feel constricted, you may feel a spasm in your stomach). If you choose to proceed with the same argument, be conscious of your decision.
• If you are not able to catch yourself prior to reacting, reflect on the situation or an argument at the end of the day. Try to remember what was going through your head and how your body felt at that moment.
• Spend a few minutes in silence every day (e.g., without TV, radio, phone or computer). You can even do it as you are driving. What do you notice about yourself?
• At the end of each day (or as often as you can) before going to bed close your eyes and try to “watch a movie” of your day, i.e., watch yourself going through the motions of your day. For example, “I got up, brushed my teeth, went for a run, etc.” It can be as detailed or as general as you want. If you prefer, you can journal about your day. The point is to watch your day as an observer instead of a participant. You may notice some things that entered your consciousness, but you were not aware of them because you were too busy participating.
Try these exercises out and let us know how self-aware you think you are. What does self-awareness mean to you? What did you notice (if anything) when you were doing these exercises?
There is no doubt that we need some routine to function as human beings and not be overwhelmed by the constant stream of new information. It is comfortable to get in the car and know exactly what you need to do without re-learning every time you need to drive somewhere. However, some of our familiar patterns may be in the way of fulfilling our desires, being more creative, and feeling more balanced in life.
Research shows that on average we think 50,000 thoughts a day and that they are very repetitive in nature. Moreover, most of our thoughts are either about the past or the future. If we are re-living the dead past or worrying about the uncertain future, what’s left for now, the real present?
There are several benefits of paying attention to your SELF:
• You may discover that a lot of your energy is wasted on thoughts and actions that are not relevant to what you really want.
• You may be able to get rid of a habit that you have been struggling with for a while.
• You may find that you are less reactive and less likely to fall into the familiar argument with your partner, family member, friend, coworker, etc. As a result, your relationships may improve.
• You may discover answers to problems that seemed unsolvable.
• You may be more creative with how you approach situations at home and at work.
• You may be more present for those around you.
• You may feel less stressed and more peaceful.
Here is how you can get to know your SELF better (and it is a learning experience that requires some practice). Practice all or some of these exercises for at least a week (or for as long as a lifetime!):
• Whenever you have a moment (driving, sitting in traffic, sitting at your desk), notice you breath. You don’t have to change it, just notice your inhale and exhale. Try to do it a few times throughout the day.
• The next time you have a food craving, pause and explore how much you want it. Why do you want it? In addition to the mere desire of having something, are there any other emotions or feelings that you notice in your body/mind?
• Every few days try to change something in your routine: take a new route home, sit in a different place in a conference room at work, wear something different, brush your teeth with a different hand, re-arrange something in your home.
• See if you can catch yourself before you are getting ready to react to someone’s comment or before you are getting into a familiar argument with someone. Pause for a second, notice what you feel and where you feel it (e.g., your heart rate may be going up, your throat may feel constricted, you may feel a spasm in your stomach). If you choose to proceed with the same argument, be conscious of your decision.
• If you are not able to catch yourself prior to reacting, reflect on the situation or an argument at the end of the day. Try to remember what was going through your head and how your body felt at that moment.
• Spend a few minutes in silence every day (e.g., without TV, radio, phone or computer). You can even do it as you are driving. What do you notice about yourself?
• At the end of each day (or as often as you can) before going to bed close your eyes and try to “watch a movie” of your day, i.e., watch yourself going through the motions of your day. For example, “I got up, brushed my teeth, went for a run, etc.” It can be as detailed or as general as you want. If you prefer, you can journal about your day. The point is to watch your day as an observer instead of a participant. You may notice some things that entered your consciousness, but you were not aware of them because you were too busy participating.
Try these exercises out and let us know how self-aware you think you are. What does self-awareness mean to you? What did you notice (if anything) when you were doing these exercises?
Posts
Wonderful stuff, Maggie! Your teachings really "work." (or should I say, they really "play well?"
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have an end to journey toward, but it's the journey that matters, in the end.
Ursula LeGuin
I have been trying to change my routine a bit (because I am a VERY routined person!). I take the same walking loop each day at lunch, and this week I tried going the opposite way. I noticed so many things along the walk that I had never seen before - the different perspective was eye-opening! I'm going to continue applying this to other areas of my life, as well. Great ideas - thanks!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how much aware you become when you change your routine even slightly... Keep on sharing your experiences!
ReplyDelete