The Art of Introspection – Finding Yourself

My blog has focused on setting goals, intentional living, and well-being, but as we explore all these topics, we find our core by looking inside ourselves. Defining your identity, who are you?

This month, we are going inside ourselves. Self-reflection, self-examination, and self-analysis.

Introduction to introspection

Introspection is looking inward and seeking a deeper understanding of who we are. It is about our core self; it does not involve seeking feedback from others, and they cannot answer and explore these questions. The core is our source of personal knowledge; who am I? It takes time and intentionality.

You may know it as self-reflection. It is a form of meditation or serious thought about one’s character, actions, and motives. The goal for June is to set time aside to think deeply about who we are and to evaluate our truth.

So why is it important? It plays a vital role in our mental health. Connecting to our emotions and thoughts helps us to manage them effectively. The more we know ourselves, the better we can live; it helps us navigate the world. How do we talk to ourselves? This internal dialogue is our thoughts and feelings.

Cultivate Empowering Self-Talk, by Linda L. Pilcher

Introspection is vital to understanding who we are. It helps us to learn more about our beliefs, hopes, plans, and dreams. We can examine our attitudes and behaviors. This is the place we come to work on ourselves. Where we find motivation, drive, and satisfaction.

Introspection: Definition (in Psychology), Examples, and Questions, by Tckiki Davis, MA, PhD

How to start

Start by noticing what is going on in your mind. Become aware of your thoughts, emotions, and sensations. Don’t force your thoughts, act more as an observer.

Hit pause and stop during your day to check in with your emotions. What are you feeling? Why? Awareness is a critical tool in learning about yourself. We live much of our day on autopilot. Set aside time for quiet moments for contemplation. Disconnect from distractions and focus on your inner world.

Journaling is the act of writing about what is happening around you, and in this case, inside of you. Writing about your thoughts and feelings regularly can help you get perspective. You could also note your hopes, plans, and dreams. If you do not take time to explore your thoughts, how can you know what is important? 

I have journaled for decades, and my takeaways are a strong understanding of my core values and beliefs. I have also learned what parts of myself have stayed the same and what parts have changed. The change represents personal growth. My writing has provided a perspective on my emotions, fears, passions, and thought processes. I have identified my strengths and weaknesses and weeded out the trivial from what truly matters. The journals show my growth journey; the writing has become my therapist, friend, and personal history. My journals contain my deepest and most genuine thoughts.

You must write FOR YOUR EYES ONLY in journaling. Once you share with others your deepest thoughts, then you start writing for them. You will not write your truth.

The Magic of Journaling – A Guide to Finding Clarity and Maintaining Focus, by Linda L. Pilcher

Taking a walk for mental clarity. Walking is a rhythmic and repetitive activity that can create a meditative state and bring you into the present moment. Walking frees your mind, and you become more attentive to your inner experiences or dialogue. It takes you away from distractions; you may find it easier to reflect on your thoughts and declutter your mind. Walking can enhance creativity; studies have shown that people produce more novel ideas in motion than sitting. Some influential thinkers of our time have discussed the benefits of walking and thinking. Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Henry David Thoreau, and Immanuel Kant all noted they did their best thinking when walking. All favoring solitary walks to help them engage in contemplation and introspection. It gives you time alone to think. Movement is a form of meditation; combined with mindfulness it becomes a valuable tool for introspection. Moving meditation promotes inner peace and balance. Connecting with yourself deeper makes you more aware of your emotions, enabling a healthier response.

Meditation helps us to become more attuned to our inner world. Create a dedicated space and time, which will help establish a routine. Find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted. Remove distractions. Get comfortable and begin slow, deep breathing. Stay in the present, do not think about the task for the day, or what happened yesterday. Be Here Now! We want to declutter our minds. Researchers estimate that we have over 50,000 thoughts per day, many of which are repetitive and negative. As your thoughts arise, acknowledge them, but keep focusing on your breathing.

Listening to music can also cause a meditative state. It can calm you or change your mood. Some music can help you focus deeper. Music like walking frees your mind. Music can evoke memories and emotions and can become a mirror reflecting your inner experiences. Try listening to different music, such as classical, or jazz.

Reading self-growth books.

Reflect on experiences, both positive and negative. What did you learn? How can you grow?

Asking yourself deeply probing questions is an essential step. We seek clarity in ourselves, and answering these deep questions can help you find your truth. What motivates your actions? What values drive your decisions? This is a place where our hopes, plans, and dreams live.

Journaling Exercise

Here is what Ernest Hemingway had to say about writing:

“All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” So finally, he would write one true sentence, and then go on from there. It was easy then because there was always one true sentence that he knew or had seen or had heard someone say.

Of course, Hemingway was writing fiction. We are writing our story. Here, we are looking inward for the truth. So, let’s title this first journal writing – Who am I?

Find a quiet location, remove all distractions, and turn off your phone, computer, and the TV. Start with a spiral notebook so that you can keep writing after this exercise. Date the writing: this will help provide perspective later.

We will start with a free flow writing method, meaning write anything that comes to mind. Who am I? Don’t worry about structure or making it perfect. The idea here is not to draft something for others, but to get your thoughts on paper. You can doodle, draw, create diagrams, or use a brainstorming chart to help you get started, keep it all in your notebook. I am visually driven, so an image or chart often is more meaningful than my words. Below is a sample of a brainstorming chart. This type of chart helps visualize your thoughts and ideas. It does not have to look good or be in any specific format. This is for your use only.

Ask and answer defining questions. The critical questions about you. Who am I today? Who do I want to be tomorrow?

• What are my core values?
  What are my strengths and weaknesses?
  What are my life goals? What is my focus in life?
  What are my fears and insecurities?
  What brings me joy?
  What kind of person am I? What kind of person do I want to be?

Conclusion

A reflective person is someone who regularly looks inward. Quiet introspection can be extremely valuable.  

Introspection is not new. Philosophers from ancient times explored the same questions we have today. Who am I? What truly matters in life? What is love? What is beauty? Introspection helps us to learn about our abilities and assists with self-growth. Stoic philosophy focused on empowering individuals and strengthening their will through cultivating moral and spiritual insight; areas you may think about. As we move through this month, you will develop a workbook to help you with insight to help you become a better version of yourself; help you find yourself. Keeping these notes in writing helps you to develop a plan.

Jewish Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl was one such example. In his inspirational 1946 book Man’s Search for Meaning, he wrote, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Introspection can give us the fuel we need to change ourselves.

Remember that introspection is not about self-criticism, but about understanding yourself better. It contributes to personal growth, self-awareness, and resilience. So, whether you are contemplating or journaling, introspection can be a valuable tool for your well-being and understanding of your inner world.

Recommended Books

Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor E. Frankl

Change your questions, change your life, by Marilee Adams

Siddhartha, by Hermann Hesse

Flow, The Psychology of Optimal Experience, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Citations

Photo by Andreas Rasmussen on Unsplash

Photo by Laurenz Kleinheider on Unsplash

Photo by Lorenz Lippert on Unsplash