Self-Awareness: Exploring the Inner Realm

In a world buzzing with notifications, tweets, and breaking news, staying on top of what's happening in the 'outer' realm is easy. But hey, what about the universe inside? You know, that mysterious inner world that's exclusively ours, packed with thoughts, feelings, and a few embarrassing memories we'd rather forget. It's the ultimate DIY project that no one else really gets to witness, except, us. Let's spill the tea on why self-awareness is the unsung hero we need but often ignore in our daily hustle. 

First of all, let's be aware of what self-awareness is. 

It goes beyond merely knowing that something isn't quite right or acknowledging childhood traumas; it takes us to sit down with our inner selves, confronting the 'not-so-pretty' thoughts we'd rather ignore.

"Self-awareness is the ability to focus on yourself and how your actions, thoughts, or emotions do or don't align with your internal standards and values. If you're highly self-aware, you can objectively evaluate yourself, manage your emotions, align your behavior with your values, and understand correctly how others perceive you." 

Research suggests that we are more confident and creative when we see ourselves clearly. We make sounder decisions, build stronger relationships, and communicate more effectively. We’re less likely to lie, cheat, and steal. Basically, self-awareness leads to a more fulfilling life.

But hey, in this era of 'wokeness,' where we might pride ourselves on knowing our inner turmoil, the truth is, many of us shy away from the daunting task of facing our own minds. Moreover, from what I have observed people have this fear of sitting alone with their thoughts and then mostly try to distract themselves by engaging in some or the other unnecessary activities throughout the days and be ignorant of the knowledge of self. This is what the extroverts would do mostly. And what about our dear introverts? They love to be alone and often engage in what they think is introspection but actually overthink the word 'why'. Why did this happen? Why did I do that? Why am I sad? Why did they do this? 

Let's talk about the 'why' trap – the endless loop of questioning why this happened, why we did that, why we feel sad, only to be engulfed by negativity. I know because I used to be the captain of the negativity ship, drowning in the 'why' questions. When I was repeatedly told that I have a very negative approach towards life I went to 'introspect' and found out that introspection isn't about dwelling on the 'whys'; it's about focusing on the 'whats.' What can I do to improve? What is the purpose behind my actions? Shifting my mindset from dwelling on causes to seeking solutions brought about a drastic change in my life. 

'What' questions lead to better self-awareness than asking 'Why' questions while introspecting. 

''Awareness is the first step towards healing.'' 

So, let's take that step. Grab a journal, spill your feelings onto the pages, and unravel the mysteries within. Identify patterns, trace the origins of your emotions, and understand the triggers. But here's the kicker – don't stop at identifying the 'why.' Move on to the 'what.' What can you do to improve the situation? What steps can you take to bring about positive change?

And if you're craving a deeper dive into self-discovery, consider taking a personality test. It's not just about understanding yourself but also gaining insights into the beautiful diversity that makes us uniquely human. 

MBTI has helped me a lot to understand myself and others around and I am sure it will help you too.

Let's embrace our individuality, ask the right questions, and embark on this exhilarating expedition into self-awareness. After all, the most fascinating adventure is the one within ourselves.