“The world is nothing but change. Our life is only perception.”

– Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius translated by Gregory Hays (2003)

Self-awareness is a term that has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly in the world of personal growth and development. But what exactly does it mean to be self-aware, and why is it so important?

At its core, self-awareness is about being able to recognize and contemplate your own thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and experiences. It's the ability to understand your own characteristics, such as your strengths, weaknesses, beliefs, and values. Essentially, it's the capacity to reflect on yourself, and to evaluate your own thoughts, feelings, and actions in relation to your goals and values.

So why is self-awareness so important? There are many reasons, but perhaps the most significant is that it allows you to make better decisions. By being aware of your own thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, you can more easily identify patterns and make changes that will help you achieve your goals. This includes everything from setting healthy boundaries in your relationships, to making lifestyle changes that improve your physical and emotional health.

Self-awareness is also important for emotional regulation. When you are aware of your own emotions, you can better understand and manage them. This can help you avoid reactive or impulsive behaviour, and instead respond to situations in a more deliberate and thoughtful way.

In addition, self-awareness can help you understand how you are perceived by others. When you have a good sense of your own strengths and weaknesses, you can more easily identify areas where you need to improve. This can be especially helpful in the workplace, where feedback is often crucial for professional growth and development.

But perhaps the most compelling reason to cultivate self-awareness is that it allows you to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life. When you are aware of your own values and beliefs, you can make choices that align with those values. This can help you feel more satisfied and fulfilled, and can give your life a sense of purpose.

The Stoics, an ancient Greek philosophy, believed that self-awareness was crucial for personal growth and development. They believed that by checking yourself, you could prevent yourself from hurting others or engaging in harmful behaviour. And when you did hurt others, they believed that reflecting on that experience could help you learn from it and avoid making the same mistakes in the future.

If you're interested in cultivating more self-awareness in your own life, there are a few things you can do. One is to practice self-reflection, which might include journaling, meditation, or simply taking time to think about your own thoughts and feelings. Another is to seek feedback from others, particularly those you trust and respect. This can help you gain a more objective view of yourself and your behaviour.

It's also worth noting that self-awareness is not always easy. It can be uncomfortable to confront your own flaws or mistakes, and it takes time and effort to cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself. But the benefits are clear: greater emotional regulation, better decision-making, and a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

In conclusion, self-awareness is a crucial aspect of personal growth and development. By cultivating a deeper understanding of ourselves, we can make better choices, regulate our emotions, and live more fulfilling lives. Whether you're just starting out on your personal growth journey or you're looking to deepen your existing self-awareness, there are many resources available to help you along the way.

Here are some that I have found helpful:

- Seeking therapy privately, so there isn’t a waiting list.

- Reading books, for instance Meditations by Marcus Aurelius translated by Gregory Hays, which is one of the best translations available in modern day English.

- Apps that make you aware of your screen time like Opal are good, this will help you to stay in the moment more which is needed in order to do some self-detective work

- Podcasts like Modern Wisdom with Chris Williamson or even Joe Rogan when he gets scientists and philosophers on, helps to make you think differently.

Bibliography:

Hays, G. (ed.) (2003) Meditations. United States of America: Modern Library.