SELF-REFLECTION
The unexamined life is not worth living — Socrates
Self-reflection is the process of pausing to examine our thoughts, feelings, actions, and motivations. It involves looking inward to better understand why we think, feel, or behave in certain ways. Self-reflection is an important foundation for personal growth and meaningful change. Many people tend to deny or suppress our emotions, whether those emotions are positive or negative. We may also avoid taking responsibility for how we feel or for the actions that contribute to those feelings. Instead, we may defend our behavior or justify our emotional responses. Self-reflection encourages honesty, accountability, and a willingness to examine ourselves without judgment. Self-reflection includes:
Self-Observation: Becoming aware of your daily habits, moods, thoughts, and instinctive reactions.
Evaluating Motives: Asking yourself why you made a particular decision or responded in a certain way.
Value Alignment: Examining whether your current lifestyle, choices, and behaviors align with your personal goals and core values.
Personal Growth: Identifying areas of weakness or patterns that may need improvement so you can develop healthier skills and behaviors.
Better Reactions: Learning to pause and think before responding to stressful situations, rather than react impulsively.
WHAT IS SELF-REFLECTION
To get started, step away from your office or home and find a place where stress is minimal.
Take a pen and paper and write down your thoughts.
Start by listening to the audio session, then watch the short video(s).
PREPARATION
GUIDED SESSION
Use headphones for optimal sound
Finding who you are. Japan Kabuki Lion Dance
Self-Reflection - What are YOU all about
Reflections on Reflection. Johan Von Wright. University of Helsinki, Finland. 4 July 2002.
The Importance of Self-Reflection and Awareness for Human Development in Hard Times. Monika Ardelt. Research in Human Development. V. 15, 2018 - Issue 3-4. 10 Jul 2018.
THE SELF-REFLECTION AND INSIGHT SCALE. Grant, Anthony M. Scientific Journal Publishers. V. 30, N. 8. P. 821-835. 2002.
Evaluating self-reflection and insight as self-conscious traits. Paul J. Silvia. Personality and Individual Differences. V. 50, Issue 2. P. 234-237. January 2011.
Neural correlates of self‐reflection. Sterling C. Johnson. Brain, V. 125, Issue 8, P. 1808–1814. August 2002.
Self-reflection in Reflective Practice: A Note of Caution. Kam-shing Yip. The British Journal of Social Work. V. 36, Issue 5. P. 777–788. July 2006.