What Self-awareness Means and 5 Questions to Ask Yourself to Build Confidence.

"Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life, and you will call it fate." - Carl Jung.

In this episode, you will learn:

What is Self-Awareness?

Self-awareness is like a GPS to a traveller: Similar to how a traveller relies on a GPS to navigate unfamiliar territory, self-awareness guides one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It provides direction, helping individuals understand themselves and make better, informed decisions about their lives, just like a GPS helps a traveller reach their destination.

5 Benefits of Being Self-Aware

Self-confidence:  First, it helps you build confidence. When you know yourself well, you feel more comfortable in your skin. 

Emotional Regulation:  Self-awareness also helps you navigate tricky situations. Instead of reacting without thinking, you can pause and consider how you want to respond. 

Better Decision Making: When self-aware, you make better decisions that align with your values and goals. You're less likely to be influenced by peer pressure or external expectations because you know what's important to you. 

Improved Conflict Resolution: Conflict is a natural part of life, but how we handle it can make a big difference. Self-awareness allows you to recognize your triggers and biases, making it easier to approach conflicts with empathy and understanding. By taking ownership of your feelings and behaviours, you can work towards resolving conflicts respectfully and productively.

Enhanced Emotional Regulation: Emotions can be powerful and sometimes overwhelming, but self-awareness can help you manage them more effectively. Understanding your emotional triggers and patterns allows you to develop healthy coping strategies to regulate emotions and maintain balance. 

3 Steps to How to Become Self-Aware

1. Pay attention to your feelings: Take time to notice how you feel throughout the day. Are you happy, sad, or frustrated? Understanding your emotions is the first step to becoming more self-aware.
2. Reflect on your actions: Take a few minutes at the end of the day, when brushing your teeth, for example, and consider why you did certain things. Did you choose because it felt right, or were you trying to please someone else? Thinking about your actions can help you understand your motives and values. 
3. Ask for feedback: Sometimes, other people can see things about us that we can't see ourselves. Ask Trusted friends or family members who are great people to offer feedback on your strengths and weaknesses. They can help you gain a better understanding of who you are. Please note: Talking to another person makes us vulnerable. Ensure you speak to trusted people who genuinely want to support you. 

5 Questions to Ask Yourself to start your self-awareness journey. 

1. What are my strengths and weaknesses?

2. What are my core values and beliefs, and do my actions align with them?

3. What activities or situations energize me, and which ones drain me?

4. How do I handle stress, and are there healthier ways I could cope

5. What triggers strong emotional reactions in me, and why?

Self-Awareness and Self-Esteem

Self-awareness and self-esteem go hand in hand. When you know yourself well, you feel more confident in your abilities. This confidence boosts your self-esteem and helps you believe in yourself.

But self-awareness isn't just about building confidence—it's also about building stronger relationships. When you understand your own needs and emotions, you can communicate them more effectively to others. Self-awareness creates deeper connections based on honesty and understanding.

Building self-awareness takes time and practice, so be patient with yourself. As you continue to learn and grow, you'll become more confident and self-assured, setting a positive example for your youngsters. 

So take some time to get to know yourself. You might be surprised at what you discover!

Remember, the key is to lead by example and create a safe space for open communication within your family. 

Change begins with ourselves!

You are not alone in this parenting journey!

To learn more about Cathy or submit a topic or question, check out her website at parentingyoungsters.com

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DISCLAIMER

The Tips for Parenting Youngsters Podcast and content posted by Cathy Barker is presented solely for general information, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have. They should seek the assistance of their healthcare professional for any such conditions.