Let’s chat about self awareness. I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately and getting out of my comfort zone, exploring more outside of the house. This has been such an uncomfortable experience for me. It amazed me how many people are not self aware and also my own self-awareness.
What is Self-Awareness?
It is the conscious knowledge of one’s own character, feelings, motives and desires.
I remember asking my therapist, do I need to take more introspection of myself? Why do I keep noticing or running into people who seem to not be aware of what they are doing, in my eyes. She said oftentimes, when you are already hyper-vigilant, and on alert due to coming out of a stressful situation, you will notice things that bother you more. That means you are looking for things that will put you on alert.
I took a deep breath right there. It’s almost as if I was asking “why” to everything. Why did that lady stop to write on a piece of paper at my table? Why did that person lay the card down instead of putting it back in my hand? Why did so and so walk inches in front of me when there was so much space on the other side of the room to walk? Why? Why? WHY? Ugh, I cried because it makes you think something is wrong with you when things like this happen.
You Don’t Have to Carry What Is Not Yours
However, I realized that people are going through their own stuff. Some know how to handle it and some don’t. Some have been entitled all their life and they don’t have self awareness of their actions when they step outside their home. Some are just over the whole day and thinking about getting off and can care less how you feel about it. What is important is knowing who you are, and not taking on the world’s projections, and being self aware with yourself.
Things that have helped me is to know what energy you are bringing into any room. What is the atmosphere around you? Are you on edge? Are you calm? Do you enter every space with an open mind, calm, but discerning? That matters because if you are on alert for disrespect you will find it because it is as if your brain is searching for that. It helps when you take time in the morning to reset, spend time with God and say what you want to experience in the day. You also have to know that other people have things going on in their individual lives and it really has nothing to do with you, but it is important to know that you don’t have to be in a space that makes you feel uneasy. You have the right to speak up if something crosses the line of respect or invades your personal space.
“Remember that the world can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to carry it around with you.”
I pray that this has been an encouragement to you today.
What is one small act of self-awareness you can practice today, whether at home or out in the world? Write it out. Be Blessed.