Know Thyself – Time to Develop Self-Awareness

Last Updated on December 12, 2021 by Il-ham B

We tend to ask ourselves how well we know the people around us. But, have you ever directed that same effort toward getting to know yourself? Well, it is time to ask, “How well do I know myself?” In search of alignment, that is the question I’ve been asking myself. The acquisition of the knowledge of self can have one in tune with their higher self. So, what is self-knowledge?

Self-knowledge is the understanding of one’s passions, dreams, motivations, tolerance, beliefs, and limitations. In short, it is paying attention to your emotions, fears, and desires. In the hopes of understanding how/why we act/ react to certain situations.

With that being said, I don’t believe complete self-knowledge is attainable since we are ever-changing and evolving beings. But, I do think that the little we can consistently work on finding out about ourselves can make a load of a difference. It enables us to live a fulfilled life without the quiet frustration that comes with not knowing ourselves. We can either choose to ignore that quiet frustration or decide to explore it.

The first step is gaining a better understanding of our mind, body, and soul. To be able to make better decisions without second-guessing or regrets. Here are a few things to ponder on your journey to getting to know yourself. 

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.

Lao Tzu

How do you see yourself?

It is hard to look at ourselves objectively when we usually see ourselves from the first-person point of view. We also tend to see ourselves by how others define us. In that case, objectivity is a great tool to put into practice. An objective perspective allows you to detach from yourself, the events of your life, your belief system, and the people that have shaped who you are as a person. This is done through introspection and self-awareness. Becoming the observer gives you room to question your thoughts, actions, and beliefs, which, in turn, provides you with a better mental representation of yourself.  

How do others see you?

Did you know that people are highly dependent on the social world when it comes to seeking information about themselves? A lot of us say things like, “I don’t care what others think of me.” To a certain extent, we all do; we just can’t help it. Hence we all have an image in our minds of how others see us and are constantly evaluating how we come across to others.

We further this idea by comparing traits with our peers and drawing conclusions about what we, ourselves, are like. In most cases, our observations and evaluations are flawed. The goal of knowing how others see you is to gain awareness. To do this, find honest friends and family members who truly know you and can give you a bit of insight into your attributes. This is NOT a search for validation or self-worth from others.

Who you really are.

Your true self is loving and accepting of your uniqueness and every single thing about YOU. It is aware of the role the false self (ego) plays and the masks it puts on to protect itself when mingling in society. Who you do not seek acceptance or validation from others, regardless of the false importance of social approval. It seeks the attention of the self. Additionally, it does not pretend or imitate others but chooses to live in its truth. Your true self is your inner child and the things that made you laugh and smile at that developing age. If you can be in alignment with everything mentioned and more, then you are on your way to knowing yourself.

Self-knowledge is considered one of the few ways to break through societal conditioning and achieve higher levels of happiness/consciousness.

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Related Post: SELF-CARE CHECK-IN

MY EXPERIENCE

I was led to ask myself this question in the hopes of finding my purpose. I’ve gotten to a point in my life where is it not enough for me to wake up every morning, Monday to Friday, to go to a job where I am exchanging my time for currency and only being able to rest on the weekends or when I’m told.

This is only one example, and there is nothing wrong with a routine or a 9-5. I’ve learned to understand that it is just part of the game. We all have a role to play in this mundane life. As long as I am aware of the fact that I am part of a system, that gives me a slight peace of mind.

Coming into that awareness was one of many turning points for me. We live in a systematic life that includes so many distractions – currently, Covid-19. These distractions are put in place so we don’t stop to think or question ourselves or what’s going on around us. Equally, we don’t even stop to figure out who we really are or what we are here to accomplish outside of societal constraints. All we do is absorb external information that keeps us in fear and ignorance. Trust that I, myself, also fall into these traps; but, at the same time, I am aware of when to plug in and out. It is almost like I keep waking up from a dream. I hope that made sense.

To sum it up, self-knowledge has so many layers, and this is the angle I chose to explore at the moment. Thank you for stopping by, and don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comment section below. Also, share this post with someone who could benefit.