Self Awareness- What we never fully understand
I used to think self-awareness was a very vague concept. I mistook it for simply "knowing who you are." However, life teaches you what you fail to learn. When I noticed that I was responding to people and circumstances in ways that weren't consistent with who I wanted to be, self-awareness finally became apparent to me.
I would frequently compare myself to others, become defensive in conversations, or shut down when there was disagreement. I finally took a close look at myself rather than placing the blame elsewhere. The actual work began at that point.
"The ability to be in reflective contact with your own thoughts, feelings, and desires" is how the IDG framework defines self-awareness.
It involves gaining knowledge about your fears, blind spots, strengths, and triggers—not to condemn them, but to comprehend them. And it's brave. It made it easier for me to communicate my needs without feeling guilty, to recognize when I needed to rest, and to respond rather than react.
I now keep a journal on a regular basis, monitor my feelings, and take breaks when I'm feeling overburdened. Although difficult, it is worthwhile. Being honest with myself is the first step to true growth, and self-awareness allowed me to do just that.
Thought provoking questions that cam to my mind while reading the IDG course
- Which behavior or response have you observed in yourself that you still don't fully comprehend?
- Currently, how do you check in with your feelings and thoughts?
- What would you accomplish or conquer with greater self-awareness?
@savanaah the greatest gift that increased self awareness can give us to reduce reactivity - when we learn which of our responses to others are legitimate and which are our own projections regarding other's behaviour, we are able to take a step back and react in a more measured away. We become less triggered, and more accepting.
@DemiMondaine Yes i totally agree with you!
@savanaah
One behavior I’ve noticed in myself that I still don’t fully understand is my tendency to withdraw when I feel overwhelmed or emotionally overloaded. Even when I want to engage or ask for support, I often go quiet instead. It’s something I’m starting to explore with more curiosity rather than judgment, and I think it’s tied to early patterns of coping.
To check in with my thoughts and feelings, I try to carve out a few minutes each day for quiet reflection—sometimes through journaling, other times just by sitting still and noticing what’s going on internally. Naming emotions (even the messy or uncomfortable ones) helps me stay grounded and honest with myself. I’ve also started asking, “What am I avoiding right now?” as a way to gently uncover what might be just beneath the surface.
@savanaah
This post really hit home. I used to think self-awareness was just about “knowing your personality,” but yeah… it goes way deeper. That line about noticing your own reactions not matching who you want to be? Been there.
I love how you said it’s not about judging yourself, but understanding yourself. That shift honestly changed a lot for me too. I’ve started checking in with myself more, especially when something feels off. Even just pausing to ask, “Why did I react like that?” helps me learn so much.
Thank you for being so real here. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one figuring it out as I go 💛
@savanaah
I loved the sentence, "being honest with yourself." Sometimes, that is one of the things we overlook. Being honest with yourself is a key component of self-care; otherwise, we cannot reflect accurately on how we are doing.
What I do for self-awareness varies. I journal when I experience something difficult, happy, or notable. I also make sure to ask myself, whenever I am interacting with other people, how I would feel if I were in their shoes. Acknowledging someone's situation and consistently reflecting on things gives us the chance to be aware of our own thoughts and feelings.
@savanaah
Thank you for this amazing post! 💗
I check in with my thoughts and feelings by journaling. First, I label the emotion, and then I try to explain in words why I feel that way.
With greater self-awareness, I would react to bad news with less anger. Sometimes I tend to be emotional, to an extreme point. But, I can stop myself before it happens if I am self-aware enough.
