The Importance of Self-Reflection
Reflecting on your experience of life is so important.
I'd go a step further and say it's crucial in order to live a life of purpose, ease and fun!
Why?
Without it, you are just rolling along, on autopilot, living life with whatever happens to appear in your consciousness. Thoughts, feelings, they all take you on a journey. So you're just firefighting or staying afloat with whatever thought or emotion is there. You don't feel in charge of yourself or your life, and this can feel overwhelming, exhausting, out of your control, hopeless, stressful and depressing.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Reflect. Take some time - either on your own or with someone to guide you - to consider how you feel, what's going right in your life, what would you like to change, where do you want to be in 5 years time? etc....
When you commit to taking the time to consider your own life, you are actually valuing yourself. It's an act of self care, of self love, and it also demonstrates to other people that it's important to do this. Some of the ways you can explore self-reflection are:
Mindfulness journaling
Mindfulness meditation
Mindfulness coaching and
Spending time alone
Mindfulness Journaling
Mindfulness journaling is a great way to increase our awareness of the patterns that we experience in our thoughts, emotions and behaviours. The act of writing things down can help us to regulate these emotions and to process our feelings more effectively. If we write in a journal every day, we are actually practicing a form of self-care by providing ourselves with a safe space to express thoughts and emotions without judgement. This has proven, over time, to reduce stress and anxiety that often stand in the way of us reaching our goals or even just functioning in our everyday lives.
Self-reflection through journaling really helps us dig deep into exploring our goals as well as our core beliefs and values. You might want to write down questions like;
‘What did I face today that was challenging for me?’
‘What emotions do I feel right now?’ or,
“What made me feel proud of myself today?”
This can help to give a focus or alternatively you might just want to free flow and see what comes up. There really is no right or wrong way of doing it but it certainly helps to be creative and find something that works for you so that you can enjoy the process. Make it your own to feel more connected to the process.
Whether you choose to write affirmations, ask yourself questions or write poetry, create a regular space and time that you set aside every day for your mindfulness journaling process. Even committing to just 5-10mins each day offers us the chance to reflect upon feelings that may change over time and notice that shift. You may choose to journal regularly for a period of weeks or months and then review the process or you might just keep going on a long-term basis. The journey is different for everyone so although you may want to set some intentions in the beginning it’s also important to remain open minded about the outcome and try to let go of any expectations. Let your words be yours and allow them to support you in your mindfulness journey whatever that looks like for you.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation brings us physically, mentally and spiritually into the present moment which is not always a comfortable place to be. Sitting with our emotions and bodily reactions can often make us want to get up and do something else in order to escape any uncomfortable feelings. We’ve all been there! This is why many of us struggle to meditate but sticking with it can bring us a lot of valuable insight. But it’s like any skill, it takes practice.
Like with journaling, it does really help to set aside a regular time to meditate. This could be when you wake up in the morning or just before you sleep. Some people like to find a moment during a lunch break or just before the next phase of their day. However you decide to do it, consistency is key. Make it your time to reflect. Look forward to it. It’s valuable time for you to truly be with yourself.
Meditation is about sitting with what you are experiencing in the present moment and just observing it without judgement. Notice how any thoughts or feelings affect your body. Scanning the body and noticing any tension that you may be holding. Notice these sensations can actually change when you simply place your gentle awareness and attention there.
Sometimes following the breath can allow you to focus and tune into how your body is feeling in that moment. You may like to sit and meditate in a comfy chair or lie down on a soft surface. Some people use guided meditations that help them to focus while others may feel better just sitting with whatever comes up in the consciousness. Whatever works best for you, mindfulness meditation is simply offering yourself that safe space to just be you and observe how you are showing up in that moment. Although this can be challenging it is definitely a valuable tool for daily reflection.
Accepting who we are, as an ever changing entity, helps to open the door to self love and compassion. And this ripples out to others.
Mindfulness Coaching
Mindfulness coaching is my area of expertise, so here is how I offer its simple yet powerful tools.
Going through the process of becoming more aware of your thoughts and behaviours with a certified mindfulness coach gives you the opportunity to enter into a deeper process under professional guidance and is often where the real personal growth happens. This can be done in 1:1 or group sessions.
1:1 coaching really allows you to tailor the experience to your needs. Partnering with a mindfulness coach you can co-create your own bespoke mindfulness toolkit that is specific to your goals and intentions. Working with a coach can also hold you accountable to the things that you say in order to make reflections meaningful and transformative. This is of course done with empathy and in a safe, confidential space giving you the freedom to be open and honest without judgement. I personally like to incorporate mindfulness practices, meditation, neuroscience, transformational coaching, positive psychology and somatic work in my own unique approach that I’ve been developing over the last 7 years. Combining all of these techniques and ideas allows you to focus in on the things that matter to you the most and to manage your emotions around them more effectively. And this can be life changing.
Group coaching and retreats offer a space for reflection among others who are engaging in the same or similar practices and can take a bit of time to build a connection between group members. This can be especially challenging online. Working with a group led by a professional mindfulness coach is usually most beneficial when you have already worked with a coach on your own practices and have a sense of how to approach mindfulness. Reflecting over your experiences in a group setting is also easier when you have had some time to do some personal reflection. Group work is a great way of building community and support networks that enrich your personal mindfulness journey.
Spending Time Alone
Spending time alone can be a powerful mindfulness practice, allowing us the space and quiet necessary for self-reflection. In a fast-paced world filled with distractions, the opportunity to step back and immerse ourselves in solitude can offer profound benefits for our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Whether you go for a walk in nature or take some time out in a coffee shop, the practice of spending time alone involves intentionally setting aside time to do so, especially in this world we live it. So be brave, turn off your phone, and be curious about the space it brings. Activities like meditation, journaling, walking in nature, or simply sitting quietly with one's thoughts give moments of solitude and provide an opportunity to connect with the present moment and tune into your internal landscape.
When spending time alone, we have the opportunity to gain clarity about our goals, values, and aspirations. This process can help make decisions that are aligned with our true self rather than conforming to external expectations or influences. When we create that space for introspection, we cultivate a stronger sense of self and a clearer perspective on our life's direction.
Spending time alone can also increase self-compassion and acceptance. As you listen to your thoughts and emotions, you may encounter aspects of yourself that you find challenging or uncomfortable. By facing these aspects with kindness and openness, you build a deeper relationship with yourself, learning to embrace your imperfections and strengths alike. This is where a lot of the deep work takes place. It’s uncomfortable but utterly worth it. There is no change without it.
Final Thoughts
Self-reflection is a huge part of living a mindful existence which eases life’s pressures. So, write or record your reflections. Be curious with what you find. Be kind to yourself through this process, sometimes it can feel difficult if you find challenges. But the more awareness you give to your reality, the more choice you have to change it, for the better.
If you try out any of the things mentioned in this blog, I'd love to hear how you found it.
What was your experience like?
What practices did you find the most inspiring or challenging?
And if you’re ready to take your practice deeper and discover how to use the power of mindfulness to make meaningful changes in your life, book a complimentary call with me.
By increasing your awareness and connecting with your whole self, you see the endless possibilities and joy that life has to offer.