Personally, I believe it is very important to take the time and look inward and self-reflect. Self-reflection is the process of acknowledging where we are, where we have been, and where we are going. There is no right or wrongs when going through the process. To have the motivation to continue on and grow, it is vital to acknowledge how far you have come. We all have gone through our own trials and tribulations and experiences have the ability to make us who we are. In other words, the things we have seen and the places that we have been mold us. The past may have been dark or unsettling, but the future always has the possibility to be bright. In our fast-paced society, it is easy to lose sight of the present. We get lost in the moment and forget to appreciate what is happening around us. Self-reflection is the ability to experience and feel emotions that are necessary to the process of growth. Feelings can be buried or misplaced intentionally or simply as a defense mechanism.
One may ask themselves, “How do I self-reflect?” There is no direct answer. Questions that come about are typically “Why did I do that?” or “How do I feel because this happened?” New experiences may bring about an extreme need for self-reflection. To know where you are and how you got there is an acknowledgment. There can be an overwhelming amount of pride in a positive place or an overwhelming amount of disappointment in a negative space. Self-reflection can be done anywhere. One can be reflecting while listening to music in the car, or behind a computer screen on Microsoft Word. Self-reflection does not have to be done in private. It can be shared with a loved one or professional. While sharing thoughts and feelings with another, there is the chance of finding thoughts and feelings you were unaware of. It is important to work through these and have the support of others. Self-reflection is crucial to one’s prosperity. I believe that in order to prosper, we must build off of past experiences, emotions and expand.