Levels of Introspection

Introspection

(noun). The examination or observation of one’s own mental and emotional processes.

Throughout my previous posts, introspection is a word I utilized quite often. I always say either I had to get introspective or I suggest that the reader of my posts should get introspective. 

This post is going to be slightly different than others. This is more of an exercise, a journal activity. Some people have expressed that they do not know where to begin when they’re trying to be introspective. Read this post when you’re ready and have the time to participate. Get your journals ready, and let’s get introspective! 

First and foremost, in your own words define introspection. You have to know what you’re doing before you do it! For those that are just being introduced to this word, you can use the definition I provided as a reference. 

Here are some starter questions! Answer them at your own pace! You can do a question a day, one in the morning and one at night, or all of them in one sitting. Introspection is a personal process. This is your process. Hence, answer these at your own pace. Some questions may seem easy and some questions you may have never been asked before. This isn’t a test, there is no “right” answer, so be COMPLETELY honest with yourself. Even if you hit an uncomfortable “wound” write through it. It’s a part of the process.

1. What motivates you?

What excites you? What makes what you’re doing worth the while? What is the driving factor in your dreams, goals, and life in general?

2. What have I given up on?

Sometimes when we get too caught up in a routine of life, we start to operate on autopilot. We get so stuck in a routine that “works,” so we unintentionally neglect our passion projects and dreams. What’s something that you’ve always wanted to accomplish or start that you somewhat have given up on. This is an important question because it helps remind us what we’re passionate about and it ties into question 1 because it helps to remind us of our motivators. 

3. How many of my friends am I comfortable confiding in?

We can’t truly cater to ourselves internally if we constantly put ourselves in environments where we don’t feel safe and environments that do not foster growth. If you aren’t comfortable confiding in the people who you consider your friends, maybe it’s time to reevaluate your circle and or set new boundaries.

4. Do I care what others think of me?

This is an important question because it will help you gauge whether you’re living life for others or living life for yourself. If you uncover that you are living life for others, this question should help you unpack some insecurities. 

5. Tell me about yourself, really?

Now that you have answered some starter questions, use your answers as a basis to answer this question. Who are you? Truly. Not what do you do for a living or what a typical day for you looks like. Who are you internally? How do you perceive yourself, flaws and all?  Insecurities and all! Be raw, be honest, be unapologetic with it. 

You can answer these questions as journal entries, in your notes app, or even aloud to yourself. You can answer them with 1-3 sentences, a paragraph, or it can be a full page(s) of a response. Again, this is a part of your process, go about it however you see fit.

Enhancing our ability to understand ourselves and our motivations and to learn more about our own values helps us take the power away from the distractions of our modern, fast-paced lives and instead refocus on fulfillment (Wood, 2013).

Introspection helps us break through our internal blockages.

Blockage

A blockage is an internal road block or wound that prevents us from engaging in certain activities or conversations because it’s triggering. 

It is necessary to work through our triggers. We will encounter people and spaces that do not sugarcoat their words and rooms to accommodate our triggers. In that same breath, we can not expect the world to cater to our individual, internal struggles. Michael Singer in, The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Ourselves, says we can attempt to avoid our blockages by avoiding people, spaces, and things that might trigger us. He also states how extremely difficult this is because life is unpredictable and we don’t know what spaces we might end up in. Therefore, he states it’s better to work through those blockages as opposed to trying to act like they do not exist. 

Introspection is a solid way to work through them. Another way he recommends is when a blockage arises, or in other words when you are triggered, acknowledge the feelings that arise and then let them pass. Do not dwell on it, do not sit in a weird funk because of it, accept those feelings and let them pass, let them go. Allow that uncomfortable energy that arises to take its course and pass through you, do NOT hold onto it. 

Take this week to get introspective. Why? Because that’s #WhatChiSaid! See you next time! Follow @whatchisaid_ on Instagram and look out this week for more journal prompts to help you get introspective.

Book Recommendation

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Singer

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~These are just my thoughts and opinions

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