This time last year, I was unaware of the term introspection, what it means to
be introspective or how it could benefit my life. It wasn't until I had help
seeking methods of coping with anxiety that I was enlightened to a new way of
understanding myself (or at least the practice of understanding what makes me me). Writing this out, it
sounds narcissistic to ponder what makes up my personality, but introspection
when practiced correctly is not narcissistic-- it's liberating.
Anxiety can be brought on
by triggers. They are different from one individual to the next. Even
though I have experienced anxiety since childhood, my triggers remain unknown.
Introspection, I was told, can be used as a tool to identify them. This
made sense to me, because knowing myself would include knowing what caused me
to become anxious--and more importantly-- knowing the behavioral patterns that led to my panic
or anxiety attack.
I am aware not everyone
is as neurotic as I am, which is why I'm going to point out other benefits
introspection can provide. Raising awareness to introspection as a tool in
everyday life can't be successful on my part if I can't emphasize the
importance of introspection to others like and unlike myself and what can be gained from it.
So, what can everyone achieve through
introspection?
1. Become definite in
your own morals, values and ideas.
2. Pinpoint how your
emotions fuel your actions and reactions.
3. Learn to shut down
negative thoughts before they grow into self-destructive thought patterns.
4. Heighten sensory
awareness (learn to view the world as it is instead of withdrawing into selfish
tunnel vision due to constantly over-thinking).
5. Achieve a sense of
peace with who you are (flaws included), because you understand why you do the
things that you do.
6. Induce self-preservation (for
the sensitive soul).
7. Heal old wounds that
have played a repetitive role in your relationships.
8. Strengthen your
ability to meditate, which can diffuse anger and enhance focus.
9. Harness the capability
to be alone with your thoughts and not become bored or easily discouraged.
10. Build confidence
resulting in refined communication with those around you.
I will not lie to you,
introspection takes practice and can feel awkward at first. We are asked to look deeper into ourselves in hopes of possibly uncovering a
new truth that adds to the complexity of us as human beings. This may seem
intimidating, and I am here to vouch that introspection is the farthest thing
from that. With all the benefits you could gain, (that I have only begun to
touch upon) isn't it time you gave it a try?
