Most of us are great at analyzing and pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of others, but we find difficulty doing the same for ourselves.
Many will dish out thousands of dollars for a therapist to analyze them and identify the roots of their life problems. And while therapy is an excellent tool that should be made more accessible to all, self-reflection is something you can and should practice on your own regularly. This is something you can do regardless of whether you’re seeing a professional or not.
What Is Self-Reflection and Why Is It Important?
Self-reflection is the process of looking internally to think about your own character, actions, and behavior.
Practicing self-reflection is key to self-awareness, because you can gain insight into what has led you to where you are now, and what you need to do to reach your goals.
It can also help you tune into your emotions and recognize what might be causing issues like stress, anxiety, or depression before those issues start affecting your life in even more serious ways.
How to Practice Self-Reflection
Below are 5 steps that will help you practice self-reflection so you can improve yourself, your life, and your relationships.
1. Identify important questions.
The first step toward healthy self-reflection is understanding which questions you need to ask yourself.
We’ve got you covered with more specific questions in the next section, but here are a few self-reflection questions to help get you started and guide your thinking:
- What have your priorities been lately?
- What worries you most about the future?
- Has anything changed in your life recently, compared to a few months ago or a year ago?
- Are you taking care of yourself physically? Mentally?
- How do you feel about the future?
- What are you doing to get closer to your goals?
- What are some of your recurring thoughts?
But in addition to knowing the right questions to ask, it’s equally important to recognize when it’s time for self-reflection.
Most of us are capable of reflecting on our thoughts and actions after we’ve overreacted or found ourselves in unpleasant situations; but the goal should be to practice self-reflection regularly so you can avoid those situations to begin with, like before a disagreement with a spouse escalates into a heated argument.
This means that if you’re not already in the habit of self-reflection, you should make an effort to practice often. Start with a few minutes each week, perhaps during your commute to work or as part of your morning routine, with a particular focus on whatever has been on your mind that week.
You can dedicate more time for even deeper introspection on an annual basis as you reassess your bigger life goals.
2. Find a method that works for you.
Journaling is one of the most common ways to practice self-reflection—there are even handy journaling apps you can download to take notes on the go. But journaling is definitely not your only option!
Talking with a trusted friend or therapist can be just as effective, and offers the bonus of a fresh perspective. You can share your thoughts, ask for feedback, and have someone keep you accountable when it comes to reaching your goals.
You can also connect with nature by going for a walk, a bike ride, or just sitting outside for some peace and quiet. This can be a great environment for reflecting.
Of course, even if you don’t journal, you still might want to jot down a few of the key takeaways from your reflection.
3. Make time.
You probably don’t schedule time to think very often, but if you’re working on being more introspective, blocking out some time in your calendar can help.
Maybe Friday afternoon before you leave the office works for you, or as suggested before, you can make the most of your commute to or from work. Perhaps you have a few moments to yourself while you sip your morning coffee. Find whatever works for you and your schedule, and commit to maintaining your new habit.
4. Practice mindfulness.
Speaking of time spent in nature and quiet contemplation, mindfulness goes hand-in-hand with self-reflection.
In addition to asking yourself questions, you also need to tune in to what you’re feeling and any patterns that have been recurring in your life.
Practicing mindfulness can help you improve your self-awareness, so you can pick up on your more common triggers and reactions, then reflect on them. Whether it’s sitting in a park or listening to a guided meditation, there are plenty of ways you can practice being mindful.
5. Consider multiple perspectives.
Yes, we’re talking about self-reflection, but part of that is understanding how your actions may affect your relationships and those around you, which means you sometimes need to put yourself in others’ shoes.
Have you been more irritable lately, or less patient with your partner? If you realize that your priorities have been askew, how do you think that has affected your partner/child/friend?
You can always ask for help if you find this part challenging. Simply ask the relevant parties (your colleagues, friends, family, etc.) for feedback about how you’ve changed, how they think you could get closer to your goals, or how you might be a better person.
Self-Reflection Questions
The following questions will help you reflect on your personal growth, your career, and your relationships.
Personal
- How would you define yourself at this stage in your life?
- What makes you special?
- What is your biggest flaw?
- What are you currently avoiding?
- What is your biggest personal goal this year?
- Did you achieve last year’s goal?
- Have you given yourself the time and resources you needed to accomplish your goals?
- How can you practice more gratitude in your life?
Career
- What is your most important goal for this month/quarter/year?
- What has been your greatest achievement this month/quarter/year?
- What are you currently doing to reach that goal?
- How are you helping your colleagues or subordinates achieve their goals?
- Is there anything you’re doing to hinder their progress?
- How might you contribute to your least enjoyable relationship at work?
- How could you have been more effective in a recent meeting?
- Have you given yourself the time and resources you needed to accomplish your goals?
- How would you describe your work-life balance?
Relationships
Note: These questions use the term ‘partner’ for simplicity, but can easily be replaced with friend, sibling, child, or any other person you have a close relationship with.
- What have you done to make your partner’s life better this year?
- What is one thing you regret saying to your partner this year?
- If you never saw your partner again, would you be happy with the last thing you said to them?
- What is one thing you can do to be a better partner this year?
- How can you show more gratitude for your partner?
- Are you asking for what you want or need?
The Importance of Self-Reflection
Self-reflection is essential for personal growth. Fortunately, self-reflection is a skill that can be learned and improved.
By being more introspective, you can start to better manage your emotions and reactions, while recognizing patterns that you’d like to break.
Do you practice self-reflection? Share your experience with the practice in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- How to Journal: 8 Tips for Getting the Most from Your Writing Time
- Why You Should Keep a Dream Journal: 5 Tips for Discovering Helpful Insights
- Why You Should Keep a Reading Journal: Tips for More Reflective Reading
- Why Self-Awareness Is Important: Benefits, Tips, and Examples
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
