Self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence. It is the ability to understand and recognize our thoughts, feelings, values, beliefs, and behavior and how these impact our relationships with others and reactions to different situations.
Self-awareness provides us with an accurate understanding of ourselves and our emotional state and is essential for effectively managing our emotions and improving our emotional intelligence. Keep reading to discover simple ways to cultivate self-awareness and why self-awareness is vital to emotional intelligence.
What is self-awareness?
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you acted without thinking and then regretted it? That’s an example of not having enough self-awareness. To be self-aware is to consciously align your actions with your internal standards. Self-aware people can evaluate their behaviors, identify their values and manage their emotions without beating themselves up.
It seems easy on paper, but many of us have been taught to hold unrealistic standards for ourselves and fall into unskillful and ineffective habits without realizing them. Practicing mindfulness is a fundamental skill for developing self-awareness, as it involves paying close attention to your inner world and being aware of your physical and emotional states.
The benefits of self-awareness
A research paper published in Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences Research in 2012 concluded that people with developed emotional intelligence skills are more capable of success in their personal and professional lives. High emotional intelligence helps us become aware of how interconnected the various parts of our lives are. This way, we can connect our feelings and behaviors to the thoughts and actions we allow into our mental space; you learn how to better manage your emotions and make decisions that align with your goals and values.
Self-awareness also helps you to be mindful of how your feelings can affect those around you. By being mindful of your inner connections, you can easily create and maintain healthy relationships with people outside your personal experience.
How to cultivate self-awareness
Self-aware people create good habits and practices that help them stay aware of their thoughts and feelings. These habits may include setting aside time each day for self-reflection, monitoring your thoughts and emotions, taking inventory of your accomplishments and failures, and asking for feedback from others.
One way to cultivate self-awareness is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness as a practice is being present and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. When you practice mindfulness, you become more aware of your body and its sensations, allowing you to recognize when something is wrong or off before it affects your mental and emotional state.
Another helpful way to cultivate self-awareness is to keep a journal. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you track patterns in your behavior and provides valuable insight into what triggers certain emotions or reactions. Additionally, writing can be a powerful way to process your experiences and gain clarity on uncomfortable topics.
Finally, seek feedback from those around you. Having an honest conversation with a trusted friend or family member can be a great way to gain perspective on yourself and identify areas that need improvement. Asking for honest feedback from someone close to you can also increase your self-awareness, giving you valuable insight into how others view you.
How self-awareness increases emotional intelligence
When we understand ourselves better, we can make better decisions and respond more effectively. With self-awareness, we can see how our reactions affect others and develop a deeper understanding of our relationships with them. This increased insight allows us to be more empathetic and communicate better, leading to more meaningful connections. Self-awareness also helps us understand our strengths and weaknesses, so we can use them to our advantage and become more successful in whatever we set out to do.
Self-awareness is a big part of developing emotional intelligence, as it allows us to navigate the complexities of life with increased skill and understanding. Self-awareness helps us to think before we act and take responsibility for our actions, leading to healthier relationships with those around us. With greater self-awareness, we can also practice self-care more effectively and make positive changes in our lives, leading to emotional stability and well-being.
Ultimately, having self-awareness is essential for increasing our emotional intelligence and understanding how our thoughts and actions can affect those around us. It enables us to be more mindful and aware of our behavior so that we can better manage our emotions and relationships. With increased self-awareness, we can form stronger connections with those around us and lead fulfilling lives.
Shaman Giya Venus 