What is Self-Awareness?
Self-awareness refers to our ability to recognize and acknowledge our thoughts and actions. Some experts defined it as the “capacity to see ourselves clearly to understand who we are, how others see us, and how we fit into the surroundings”. Simply put, self-awareness breeds capacity to objectively interpret one’s feelings, thoughts and actions. It’s a rare trait since most people make interpretative decisions based on their emotions. In most instances, it leads to detrimental consequences. Happiness is highly dependent on our self-awareness. The piece explores the relationship between happiness and self-awareness and comprehensively answers the question of why self-awareness is a key element on your journey to true happiness.
Does Self-Awareness Lead to Happiness?
Absolutely.
Self-awareness refers to our ability to recognize and acknowledge our thoughts and actions. Some experts defined it as the “capacity to see ourselves clearly to understand who we are, how others see us, and how we fit into the surroundings”. Happiness is highly dependent on our self-awareness. The piece explores the relationship between happiness and self-awareness and comprehensively answers the question of why self-awareness is a key element on your journey to true happiness.
Self-awareness is critical to happiness for a number of reasons.
Eight Valuable Lessons on Self-Awareness
First, self-awareness allows us to understand our own thoughts and actions. We can reflect on our choices and examine the consequences of our decisions. This helps us learn from our mistakes and make better choices in the future. Having self-awareness is equated to possessing another lens to redefine our perspectives, and embrace new possibilities. For some people, self-awareness is an eye-opener to habits that need to be changed and working consciously towards attaining specific goals in life. A self-aware person is only limited by his/her perceptions.
Second, self-awareness enables us to see ourselves clearly and understand how others see us. This helps us develop a more realistic view of ourselves and our place in the world. Ever heard of people termed dreamers? Or disillusioned? Such terms stem from an inability to decipher and objectively interpret and accept their capacities. A better self-understanding means you’re less critical of yourself and others. Furthermore, one processes information, emotions, and life setbacks at a different level; filtering everything within a standard and healthy outlook.
Helps one to envision themselves. How many times do you take a moment to look back and look at how things pan out? Visualizing your dreams, aspirations and best form of yourself is vital. According to Higgins, 1987, he states ‘Ideal selves reflect our hopes, dreams, aspirations, and speak to our skills, abilities, achievements, and accomplishments that we wish to attain’ and this summarizes the importance of self-awareness to one’s overall development.
Self-awareness opens up a gateway to happiness. Without a conscious understanding of ourselves, the good and bad, we are doomed to fall into a cycle of unhappiness. At the core of this element lies the ability to introspect and resolve internal conflicts with accurate answers. People lacking in self-awareness end up in a rabbit hole of negativity and insecurity. They end up being miserable and depressed. This highlights the importance of cultivating self-awareness.
Self-awareness teaches us valuable lessons. Being self-aware doesn’t just make us happier, it can also teach us valuable lessons. For example, self-awareness can help us to understand our triggers and how to deal with them. It can show us our strengths and weaknesses, and help us to work on them.
It’s worth the effort. Self-awareness is one of the most invaluable skills to possess. It opens our ability to critically and analytically understand how to interpret different issues. Through meditation, keeping a journal, or even just taking some time each day to reflect on our thoughts and feelings, we build resilience, better relations and drive our lives towards real change. Self-awareness helps us to lead happier, more fulfilling lives.
Finding inner peace. Over time, with self-awareness, your perspective and outlook towards life becomes clearer as you start understanding things better. It means you’re able to see the beauty of life, overlook the negativity and accept the unpredictability of our existence. Such sentiments bring out happiness that you can enhance with time.
Finally, self-awareness allows us to connect with our surroundings and find meaning in our lives. When we are self-aware, we are more likely to appreciate the beauty around us and feel connected to something larger than ourselves. Self-awareness means you find purpose in small positives, appreciate your efforts, and amidst everything; choose to be happy. Contrary to most beliefs, happiness is chosen. Nothing can bring you happiness unless there are conscious efforts to be happy. Start taking action towards habits that bring you inner and lasting peace. Here at the Joy Vibes, we equip you with tools to ease your transition process to the promised land. Your happiness is a shared responsibility but the ball will always be in your court. Do the necessary!
Developing Self-Awareness
Attaining high levels of self-awareness is not an easy feat but it is definitely worth the journey. The benefits clearly validate that the sooner we start down the path to self-discovery, the happier we will be.
Here are a few tips:
- Be open to new experiences and people
- Be curious about the world around you
- Pay attention to your thoughts and emotions
- Keep a journal
- Meditate or do some form of mindfulness practice
- Seek feedback from others
- Talk to a therapist or counselor (if needed)
Self-Awareness Test
To further help you towards self-awareness, we’ve developed a self-awareness assessment for you to undertake. All you need is to truthfully answer these questions and this will set you on a path of a fully aware personality.
- What’s you? Who are you?
- What makes you happiest?
- Which are your pain areas/trigger areas? Angers you? Fears.
- What simply melts/enlightens your moods?
- Who/what’s your inspiration? I’m yet to think about this too.
- What’s your bubble? Explore the one things that simply make you feel secure.
- Undertake a SWOT analysis of your personality and plan accordingly.
- Are you truthful in all these questions? This speaks volumes about your self-awareness.
Self-Awareness is a Process
Even after completing the above self-assessment. don’t rest at that. It is only the beginning of a lifelong journey to uncovering who you are. The key is to be patient with yourself, celebrate your successes, and learn from your mistakes. For instance, take time to ask “what did I do well today?” and keep recording these observations in a journal.
Fun fact: A whopping 90% of people think that they are self-aware but scientific research indicates that only 10% of this section do!
Well, that means I’ve got to retake the self-assessment self-awareness test to further understand where I stand. Join me and let’s soar on the ladder of happiness. A better job, salary, better car, and other superficial benchmarks will not make you happier. It certainly feels good but pure bliss is beyond that.
Understand your behavior patterns, flaws, and their consequences towards self and others, and reap the maximum benefits of self-awareness.
Basically …
Well, I’ve got to retake the self-assessment self-awareness test to further understand where I stand. That’s the best part of self-awareness. You constantly engage in examination of self-conscious. Join me and let’s soar on the ladder of happiness. A better job, salary, better car, and other superficial benchmarks will not make you happier. It certainly feels good but pure bliss is beyond that.
Understand your behavior patterns, flaws, and their consequences towards self and others, and reap the maximum benefits of self-awareness.
