To know and comprehend ourselves better, as well as to become more cognizant of our feelings and past traumas, we must first develop self-awareness. This process of learning and unlearning never stops. Although self-awareness is frequently idealised, there are a few misconceptions about it.
You can approach self-awareness with a more realistic and positive perspective by identifying and dispelling these beliefs. This piece by therapist Israa Nasir serves as a helpful reminder that developing self-awareness is a personal journey that need not resemble anyone else’s.
Facets of self-awareness
Myth: To be
self-aware is to be fully aware of
oneself
Truth: The truth is that no one can ever fully know himself. The process of discovering more about who we are and finding the answers to the questions we have about ourselves is known as self-awareness.
Myth: Perfection comes from self-awareness
Truth: It alludes to the process of coming to terms with and comprehending who we are. Perfection means different things to different people. On the other hand, self-awareness enables us to recognise our flaws, shortcomings, and areas that want improvement.
Myth: Reflection is the only path to self-awareness
Truth: We ought to ask for and welcome criticism from others. Being self-aware requires a great deal of introspection, but it also requires us to consider the viewpoints of those around us.
Myth: Gaining self-awareness is a solitary endeavour
Truth: The development of self-awareness is influenced by social interactions and outside input. This increases our awareness of our own behavior and the impact it has on other people. Seeing things from other people’s viewpoints can also help us see better options.
Myth: All difficulties can be solved by self-awareness
Truth: It opens your eyes to new avenues for development and aids in personal improvement. Being self-aware does not, however, ensure that our issues will be resolved. It may be beneficial for us to approach the issues from a different angle.
