We tend to look outside of ourselves for answers to problems. It’s just easier to say that someone or
something else is responsible for a communication breakdown or
misunderstanding. It takes practice to
look at our interpersonal interactions in a more responsible and honest way,
but the rewards are well worth it.
Introspection, the process of observing one’s own life, can
help you understand your motives, psychology and self-image, which effectively
allows you to also change them. If you
want to understand how something works, you study it. Introspection is just that - a sort of
research we are doing on ourselves.
Through meditating and envisioning our actions throughout the day, we
learn more about who we are, which allows us to change things we don’t like and
improve on things about ourselves that we do.
Looking inside of myself like this, has resulted in a
greater peace in life for me. By looking
at how I have acted through the day, I have become more aware and feel like a
happier person. It feels good
understanding myself, making it not so painful after all to take responsibility
for my weaknesses and failures.
Although facing your weaknesses does make you stronger, this
practice is not about dwelling on the past and your shortcomings. When you come across something about yourself
that you don’t like, it becomes much easier to just change it and avoid it in
the future. Introspection allows you to
react to situations in more controlled and predictable way and makes it less
confusing to talk about your feelings with other people.
Studying your own life can also be a great way to discover and
focus on an interest or skill, which could lead to all sorts of new and
positive experiences and behavior. The
self-confidence of introspection gives you the power to act on things you
discover that you enjoy.
Practicing Introspection
The more you understand about yourself and the world, the
more you will be able to get out of it.
If you want to start practicing introspection and open up new
possibilities for yourself, start by setting aside 10 minutes of the day for
yourself.
Once you are seated comfortably in a quiet place, close your
eyes and take a few deeps breaths to relax.
Start replaying your day in your head as it happened, envisioning
everything you did in as much detail as you can recall.
It should flow like a movie, complete with
details, like what was playing on the radio and in what sequence, exactly what
you wore, the exact words you used, etc.
Skip things you get caught up on and try and visualize your day as if you
were an outsider looking in.
Each week you can add new techniques to your
practice, including:
- Stopping the film when you notice you do something you don’t like. Tell yourself you want to do less of that.
- Stopping the film when you do something you like. Tell yourself you want to do more of that.
- Ask yourself questions, such as why you act certain ways.
- Substitute new behaviors for old ones – embed a new clip altogether or replace one you want to leave on the cutting room floor.
