Self-Awareness Ain't Easy

When it comes to mental health, we often hear about the importance of self-awareness.  Whether it’s on podcasts or social media, the essentialism of cultivating self-awareness is widespread.  As Gretchen Rubin describes, “self-awareness is the key to self-mastery”.  While this is largely true, the piece we often skimp out on, is the reality that cultivating such awareness can be an incredibly challenging process.

When we’re in the midst of strengthening our awareness, we become mindful of the things that drain us, as well as what fuels us.  We gain insight into the narratives we hold true about ourselves, others and the world at large.  Moreover, we become aware of our own behaviours, tendencies and attitudes; both those that serve us well, as well as those that cause us great harm.  Learning about the latter is typically what most people find to be a touch painful.

Most of us are very astute at recognizing how others are doing us wrong, or perhaps how the world is doing us wrong.  However, we’re often weaker when it comes to being honest about the ways in which we are doing ourselves wrong.  It’s understandable.  It’s hard to take ownership of the ways in which we behave poorly.  Therefore, being tasked with taking inventory of our patterns, behaviours and tendencies that are harming us, can be at best sobering and at worse, a bit embarrassing.  So, with all the discomfort strengthening self-awareness brings, is it still worth it?

The answer is, absolutely.  Why?  Because you cannot heal what you do not own.  You cannot repair what you do not recognize is broken.  You cannot take responsibility of that which you ignore.  Yes, initially it’s hard, which is why it is so important to demonstrate compassion, grace and patience with oneself.  However, it’s helpful to sober up and remember that none of us are perfect.  Your being an imperfect human being is not special.  We are imperfect beings living in an imperfect world.  However, every time one person makes the decision to live a more conscientious life, to live a more responsible life, to live a life rooted in honest self-awareness and reflection, everyone benefits, yourself included.