Self Reflection

Self reflection is a powerful tool for growth, healing, and self-love. It allows you to:

Gain clarity about your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.

Recognise patterns that support or sabotage your well-being.

Make intentional choices that align with your values and needs.

So, What is Self-Reflection?

Self reflection is the practice of pausing and looking inward to examine your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It’s like holding up a mirror to your inner world, allowing you to better understand what drives you, what challenges you, and what you need to thrive.

Think of it as checking in with yourself, the same way you would check in with a friend to see how they’re doing. When done regularly, self reflection helps you make aligned and intentional choices rather than running on autopilot.

Why is it Important?

Without it, we:

Repeat old patterns without understanding why.

Struggle to manage our emotions effectively.

Feel disconnected from our true desires and purpose.

But with self-reflection, we:

Become more self aware and emotionally intelligent.

Identify behaviours and beliefs that may be holding us back.

Gain clarity on what truly fulfils and energises us.

Reflection is about understanding, not self criticism. Instead of judging yourself, ask:

“What can I learn from this experience?”

“How can I support myself moving forward?”

Let’s explore techniques that will help you deepen your self awareness.

Journaling is one of the most effective self reflection tools. It allows you to express thoughts freely and gain insights into your inner world.

Lets get you started

Write freely for 5-10 minutes without censoring yourself.

Use prompts like:

“What emotions have I been experiencing lately?”

“What do I need more of in my life?”

“What am I avoiding, and why?”

Example: Maria, a busy entrepreneur, struggled with self doubt but couldn’t pinpoint why. Through journaling, she realised her self doubt stemmed from childhood experiences. By identifying this, she was able to reframe her mindset and build confidence.

This whys technique helps uncover the root cause of an issue by asking “Why?” multiple times.

How to Use It:

1. Identify a challenge you’re facing.
2. Ask “Why is this happening?”
3. Take that answer and ask “Why?” again.
4. Repeat at least five times until you reach a deeper understanding.

Example:

Sarah struggles with setting boundaries.

• Why? → She feels guilty saying no.
• Why? → She worries people will be upset.
• Why? → She fears losing relationships.
• Why? → She believes her worth is tied to making others happy.
• Why? → She learned in childhood that love had to be earned.

Now, Sarah knows the deeper issue isn’t just about saying "no"—it’s about self-worth. This insight helps her address the real problem.

Mindfulness helps you witness your thoughts without judgment.

How to Practice:

• Find a quiet space and close your eyes.
• Focus on your breath and observe your thoughts.
• Imagine them like clouds drifting by without attaching emotions to them.
• If you notice negative self talk, simply acknowledge it and let it pass.

Example: Alex used to believe “I’m not smart enough to succeed.” Through mindfulness, he noticed how often this thought appeared and learned to detach from it, realising it was just an old belief and not reality.

Talking to Your Future Self

Imagine yourself 5 years from now, happy, confident, and fulfilled. Write a letter from that version of you, giving yourself advice.

How to Make Self Reflection a Habit

To make self reflection a consistent practice:

Schedule It, set aside time daily or weekly. Even 10 minutes counts!

Find a Method You Enjoy, try journaling, meditation, or voice recordings.

Practice Self Compassion, reflection is about growth, not perfection.

Key Takeaways

• Self reflection helps you understand yourself, recognise patterns, and make aligned choices.
• Common barriers include fear, lack of time, and overthinking, but simple techniques can make it easier.
• Powerful self reflection tools include:

Journaling, writing thoughts to gain clarity.

The Whys, digging deeper to uncover root causes.

Mindfulness, observing thoughts without judgment.

Daily Check-Ins, reflecting on emotions and experiences.

Talking to Your Future Self, gaining wisdom from your ideal self.

Your Self Reflection Challenge

Tonight, take 10 minutes to reflect using one of the techniques above.

Step 1: Choose One Technique

Pick journaling, the Whys, mindfulness, a self-check-in, or a future-self letter.

Step 2: Write or Record Your Reflections

• What did you discover?
• How did it feel to reflect?

Step 3: Plan Your Next Step

• How can you apply this insight in your life?