The Art Of Introspection

Delving into the topic of truly becoming familiar with oneself and the benefits of looking inward for discovery and fulfillment, rather than outside for approval. Relating that knowledge to your mental state, and thus, your reality. 

Who are you? Yes, you. Sitting there reading this. Take just a minute and ponder that question. What are the roles you play? Mother, brother, employee, wife? How would people describe you? What are you good at ?

You have a good idea in mind? 

Great. Now throw it out entirely.

 Why? Simple. Because those things- the answers to those marvelous questions- don’t make you who you are. In all honesty, one can and should never boast complete self knowledge because it’s an impossible and limiting belief.  Nonetheless there are bits and pieces to the infinitely amazing puzzle that is you- breadcrumbs leading you into the dark woods of self discovery. It can be scary to go on such a journey. You may come out of those woods a bit rattled. You may even get lost. But that’s the beauty of it. You come out confidently knowing what you want and need out of life. But if you’re not ready or are unsure about taking those first steps just yet, that’s perfectly fine. I’ll be holding your hand the entire way as we dive step by step into self-awareness. 

 A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

 As individuals, the way we see ourselves is constantly changing and evolving. In fact, change is considered one of the only true constants in life. It’s what propels us to want more and do more. But this fact also makes it increasingly easy to forget what brought us to that point. When this happens, we unknowingly stunt our growth.  And without that movement, we default to the example Mother Nature sets for us. That being:  Anything that’s not growing is Stagnant. Unmoving. Dead. Our minds and bodies are the same in that sense. Sure, it sounds like hippie garbage, but we really are one with the earth. She provides and sustains all that we need to live. From the air the trees produce and, the water from its depths to the the animals that suck from her generous tit. Some cultures would even send those coming of age into the wild, believing they’d emerge with greater understanding and appreciation.

 Oppositely, many people now shuffle from day to day, place to place, not bothering or simply forgetting to show gratitude for such abundance. This is why the first step to clearing a path through your restrictive mental state is to GET OUT and enjoy nature. You may be wondering how an act so basic can help on your journey to self. The answer lies on a scientific level, as numerous studies show that being outdoors for even a short period of time can have tremendous impact on personal healing.

 As you can see here, studies show “being in nature can restore and strengthen our mental capacities, increasing focus and attention.” And trust me, you’ll need ALL that focus a bit later on. But for now, take deep breaths, let the crisp air clear your mind. Allow the warm sun wash over you and bathe in the radiance that is natural beauty. Be aware that you - yes, you- are made from the very same amazing material you’re admiring. And guess what? Your inner beauty is just as brilliant. This exercise aims to connect you with source energy and get you in tune with something bigger than yourself. But do not be fooled into thinking the answers can be found outside. or get used to looking outward for your internal burning questions. After all, we’re on the topic of introspection.

WHAT IS IT, ANYWAY?

 The act of introspection by definition, is “a process that involves looking inward to examine one's own thoughts and emotions.”The Idea was first developed by psychologist Wilhelm Wundt as an experiment in training people to carefully and objectively  analyze the content of their own thoughts. But it’s not limited to simply obsessing about dumb stuff you’ve done or regretting that shade of lipstick you wore at last years Christmas party. Those things have to do with OUTSIDE Influences, what other people may have thought or said or felt about you and how It subsequently made you feel. But if you recall, we’re here for YOU. Not them.

 SO, HOW DO I DO IT?

  Instead, the proper avenue to take Involves truly getting to the root of your, emotions, thoughts and memories. Why did you feel that way? When do you notice yourself slipping into these behaviors? What do you truly believe in? After all, to know where you’re going, you simply must look back on where you’ve been. By asking yourself just a few simple questions and leading your subconscious down a (sometimes extremely uncomfortable ) rabbit hole you’ll discover the essential roadmap to you.

 Not to be confused with overthinking, looking within oneself Is necessary to avoid repeating functions that no longer serve us. Or rather- serve the person we are NOW. So often in life, we find ourselves on auto pilot. Going through the motions the best way we know how. But if we knew the ‘why’s’ behind our ‘how’s’, we’d have a better way to control the ‘what’ and the ‘when’. If I lost you there, this just means you’ll be less likely to fall victim to the same patterns and thus be more cemented in holding yourself more accountable for your personal choices. And from these new outcomes and experiences, the core sense of self will emerge.

 EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE 

 What an Interesting word that Is. ‘Yourself’. It sounds so singular. So, finite. But I Implore you to view It In a different light. As we’ve touched on previously, we are ever changing, ever evolving beings, full of boundless potential. So why confine your definition to such a stationary way of thinking? The you you are today will not be you you are a few years from now. The key to finding you, is to realize that YOU will always be searching because you are everywhere. You are in the earth; you are in the trees. You were in the past, and you will be in the future. And there’s no wrong way to go about Introspection other than to think that your past and the decisions you’ve made define you. Because that Is just not true. You are as free flowing as the wind. As capable and destined for change as the leaves on the trees. You just have to embrace it. Allow yourself to Lean into It with these steps.

·       START WHERE YOU ARE (LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY)

·       PICK A TIME AND A PLACE (AND STICK WITH IT)

·       ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS (WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO GAIN CLARITY ON)

·       FOCUS (TOLD YOU YOU’D NEED IT LATER)

·       WRITE DOWN YOUR REALIZATIONS

·       PLAN & GROW

WHAT NOW?

 Self reflection is a powerful tool in anyone's hands. And although these tips and steps can be good outline and starting point, your approach can honestly be as flexible and unique as you are. From it, you can carve out a more solid sense of self awareness and mindfulness. That awareness will give way to endless possibilities and opportunities for personal growth in your life. And no need to worry about the direction in which It takes you; you’ll always have your roadmap.