If you listen to the people around you, you can hear more and more about self-awareness. But what is it? It is the ability to objectively observe yourself and understand your emotions, your actions, and your thoughts.
I asked Maureen Scanlon, Award-winning Author, relationship expert, motivational speaker, positive change integrator, and spiritual coach, some questions about self-awareness, its benefits, the habits to maintain it, and how people can go there from a point of self-delusion. Here is what Maureen wrote:
1. What does self-awareness mean to you, and how did being self-aware impact your life?
Self-awareness is empowerment. It is the shift from “life happens to me” to “life happens for me”. In my own life, it helped me understand that I create my life and that I have choices. It opens your mind to understanding that your dreams are achievable not impossible.
2. What are the benefits of being self-aware?
The benefits of being self-aware are endless. From being able to turn negative thinking into positivity to just learning how to self-soothe in difficult times. It gives us more effective coping skills and also makes us more aware of others and the world around us. It helps us view people and ourselves with a new and different perspective.
3. What are the symptoms and causes of a lack of self-awareness?
Most obviously, it’s being unaware of yourself- thoughts, beliefs, and habits. Symptoms would show as self-doubt, insecurities, anxiety, blaming others, resentment and a victim mentality. Our upbringing and life experiences can affect how we see ourselves and we tend to “lose” who we really are.
4. How can one go from self-delusion to self-awareness?
That is a great question! It is a process of recognition that is most important. Journaling or really being willing to look at (and take accountability) for things that have happened in your life is the first step. Self-delusion tends to be a soothing method but is short term. Without really taking a hard look at ourselves, the honesty and readiness will be difficult. Instead of saying, “why do people do this to me” or “why does this always happen”, asking “What am I supposed to learn from this, based on my behavior” is good way to check if you’re willing to start the self-awareness journey.
5. What habits can people do to maintain that self-awareness?
Once you’ve achieved self-awareness, or at least habits and thoughts inclusive of it, daily practices such as meditation, setting intentions, affirmations and positive self talk will maintain it.
6. What tools would you recommend for people who want to learn more about self-awareness?
Since we are all so varying in our life paths and stages of our journeys, finding what works for you is important. There are so many ways to learn about this. As an author, I always believe those who need to hear my message- will. There are TED Talks, Self Help books, Podcasts, Meditation methods, and Spiritual places that can assist with finding what resonates most with you.
About Maureen
Maureen Scanlon is the founder and CEO of Maureen Scanlon Life coaching. She is an Award-winning Author, relationship expert, motivational speaker, positive change integrator, and spiritual coach who has successfully helped many people, from experienced professionals to young adults and couples. She focuses her tools and techniques on overcoming past negative experiences and making positive changes in our thoughts and lives.
You can connect with Maureen through her website lifecoachmaureen.com and social media pages:
Instagram — @maureen.scanlon.lifecoach
Facebook — @LifeCoachMaureenS
Twitter — @ScanlonLife
LinkedIn — @lifecoachmaureen
About the interviewer
My name is Jeff Monnery, a videographer and documentarian whose mission is to ensure people are given the choice to make positive changes toward self-empowerment. I am the founder of Spoken Out Stories, a video series about stories of people who lived a hard experience in their life, and found their way to move forward with courage, determination, and optimism.
You can connect with me through my social media pages:
Instagram — @jeffmonnery
Twitter — @jeffmonnery
Facebook — @JeffMonnery
LinkedIn — @jeffmonnery
About An Unlearning Initiative
An Unlearning Initiative is an interview series of people sharing the experience and expertise on various topics around mental health, self-empowerment, empathy, and love.
It is about giving others diverse perspectives from around the World to help unlearn misconceptions and enlighten people toward a better understanding of what is around them.
You can connect with An Unlearning Initiative through these social media pages:
Instagram — @anunlearninginitiative
Twitter — @AnUnlearning
Facebook — @anunlearninginitiative