self-a·ware·ness

/',self əˈwernəs/

noun

Conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires.

"the process can be painful but it leads to greater self-awareness"

When it comes to our well-being self-awareness is really important; it has to do with everything we do. How we interact with people, the decisions we make, the people we keep in our lives, the way we perceive ourselves, and the things that we want.

Without self-awareness, all of these things can become confusing. People who have low self-awareness usually have a false perception of reality, believing that there's nothing wrong and this person usually can't take any constructive criticism. These people rate themselves to be above average than others, this is a phenomenon called the "superiority illusion."

There are so many ways to become self-aware, but one good way to figure out who you are and how you work is to meditate. There are so many ways to meditate and you can pretty much do it anywhere. If you have never meditated before there are so many resources out there for you. My personal favorite is an app called "HeadSpace." It teaches people who have especially have busy schedules how to check in with themselves.

Another way to practice self-awareness is to write out your plans and goals. Doing this can help you figure out what you want or need in life. Track your progress and the reasons as to why you're doing this; this also helps you figure out who you are and how to identify yourself.

Ask a friend or family member. Asking for constructive criticism helps people understand when they are wrong; being able to accept these things will help you become a better person. It helps you become aware of other people's feelings and maybe even your own. This can also help you find out your strength and weaknesses.

Always set boundaries. Being self-aware means knowing what you want. You can be gentle towards others but learn how to say no. Set boundaries between your passions and your work and learn to maintain them and keep them firm. Know what your passions are and the kind of work you need to put towards those passions.

Stay focused. Don't worry about being caught up in little things; learn to let things go that might weigh you down. When you like these things get to you they tend to take over your well being. Let go of drama and learn to know when you need to take a step back. Being there for others is good but sometimes people need to figure out themselves as well and it's best to let them. Don't let others suck the energy out of you.

Finally, keep an open mind. When you are open minded to new ideas you are able to figure out yourself. When you're not, you stay inside a box and you will never know what self-growth is or what your potential could. Self-awareness is so important for our personal growth and how we interact with the others. Be aware of these things and you too can become self-aware.