Self-Reflection

Hello Beloved! Can you believe we are halfway through this year and, thus far, what a year it has been! Not sure about you but I’m due for a heart check. As we navigate through this month our focus is all about self-reflection. Self-reflection involves intentionally thinking about your actions, thoughts, and feelings in order to gain a deeper understanding of self and life experiences. This is accomplished through journaling, engaging in mindfulness practices, or even therapy. The objective is to learn from your past, identify triggers that affect your mood, and improve your character to make sure you’re a person YOU enjoy being around, as well as others.

As humans we have a tendency to look outward, deflecting responsibility when negativity comes our way instead of acknowledging the part we played in the outcome. My reaction to how I am treated, being positive or negative, is my responsibility and not the one who has caused my reaction. This is the space where self-reflection comes in. How do you handle being wrongly accused? Cut off in traffic? Overlooked? How do you handle being celebrated? Expected to show up because you are the “strong friend”?  The lender and not the borrower?

Self-reflection is defined as meditation or serious thought about one's character, actions, and motives. If you find yourself spiraling in an emotion often, it could be a result of you neglecting to take the time to find the root of what is causing that emotion. What hurt or fear is connected to you feeling overlooked or being praised and celebrated for the amazing person you are? Many times, there are heart wounds that have been tucked away as a protective mechanism because we lack the tools to unpack the emotion only for that wound to be triggered at a later time.  

As mentioned above, there are ways to unpack your character, actions, and motives through self-reflection. Over the next 7 days implement the following exercises:

1. Journaling

Exercise: After a challenging conversation with a person, journal what happened, how you felt, and what you could have done differently. You might analyze if your tone or choice of words contributed to the situation and how you might approach similar conversations in the future.

2. Mindfulness and Meditation

Exercise: Focus on your breath and observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment. This can help you become more aware of your internal state and identify recurring patterns.

3. Self-Assessment

Exercise: After completing a project, evaluate your performance against your goals, identifying areas where you excelled and areas where you could improve. You could also consider how your strengths and weaknesses impacted the outcome.

4. Seeking Feedback

Exercise: Actively asking trusted friends, family members, or colleagues for feedback on your behavior or work can provide valuable insights into how you are perceived by others. You can then reflect on this feedback and consider how to adjust your behavior.

5. Nature Walks

Exercise: Spend time in nature taking in the splendor of God’s creation. While walking, allow your thoughts to drift, reflecting on your goals, values, and current life situation.

6. Creative Expression

Exercise: Engage in creative activities like painting, writing, dancing, or music for an outlet for self-reflection. You might use these activities to explore your emotions, express your thoughts, or process challenging experiences.

7. Identifying Values

Exercise: Reflect on what truly matters to you to help you align your actions with your values. You might ask yourself what principles guide your decisions, even when faced with difficult choices.