In this digital era, we are so busy chasing our goals and empowering our social status that we have forgotten entirely ourselves. Who are we, or what do we want to do? Most of us do what others want from us. So, in our lives, a time comes when we want to find ourselves. Probably, you are also one of those seeking answers through self reflection questions.
The best way of self-realization is through self-reflection. Self-reflection is a process of self-awareness and learning about one’s self. It’s the true reflection of one’s personality, thoughts and habits. It creates a sense of realization of your mistakes and achievements and can improve your mental health.
Most people think that they are self-aware, but clearly, they are not. It is estimated that only 10-15% of people are self-aware. So, if you want to know what self-reflection is, how to do it, or want to ask self reflection questions, you are in the right spot. Scroll down to learn what your subconscious wants!
What is Self-Reflection?
Self-reflection is a solid and essential part of learning about yourself. It makes us strong enough to make meaningful and life-changing decisions easily. Without reflecting on our mistakes, habits, and thoughts, we cannot learn new things and improve our routines. It’s the process of discovering yourself, inside and out. Take some time to reflect on yourself, your habits, mistakes and character by stepping back and evaluating them.
There is no exact way of self-reflecting. However, one can commonly do it by asking thought-provoking self-reflecting questions in a peaceful place or anywhere where one feels comfortable. You can also do this by starting your day with mindful affirmations, meditation, gratitude or journaling.
Also Read: 15 Questions to Discover Your Life Purpose
Why is Self-Reflection Important?
Self-reflection is very important in building character and improving behavior. You can understand its importance by the following three main points:
Openness: Self-reflection makes you so strong that you can separate yourself and look at the situation as if you are the third party and evaluate it honestly. In short, it’s the ability to think about things and situations that are not in the context of what you think about them.
Observation: Self-reflection allows you to watch yourself as you are watching any event or show from a distance. So, think as you are watching a video and sitting on the other side, watching and feeling what is being done right and what needs to be improved. It helps you to reflect on who you are personally.
Objectivity: It is the ability to separate one’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior from one’s identity. It enhances one’s mind’s ability to learn and improves habits and character.
In short, giving you the ability of openness, observation, and objectivity self-reflection creates an ability to look at critical situations being neutral and bring positive changes in your personality.
- It brings a fresh perspective in critical situations, and you can deal with it calmly and wisely.
- You can behave objectively in a situation, being considerate of others and your feelings.
- You will be able to know your feelings, what makes you happy, and what makes you truly yourself.
- It clarifies your future goals and enhances decision-making skills.
- It creates a sense of self-awareness and improves your mental well-being.
How to Self-Reflect?
Self-reflecting is a process of self-learning positively, not beating yourself with stress and anxiety. So, when you start self-assessment, focus on what you want to know or what makes you happy.
Self-reflection can be done differently by practicing gratitude, focused meditation, journaling, self-talk, mindfulness gifts, or setting goals. The most common way is self reflection questions. So, here we will discuss the most common and effective method of self-reflection.
Self-Reflection Questions to Know Yourself Better
Self-reflection can start with positive or negative questions like “Which things make me happy this week or Why can’t I make friends?” You can ask self reflection questions on a long walk or in a manifestation technique like meditation.
To ask yourself questions, you need space, silence, or a place where nobody bothers you because when you ask questions, it’s like a job interview where you have to give the best of your subconscious answers or what you want. For your convenience, we have categorized self reflection questions daily and weekly.
Daily Self Reflection Questions
- What do I really want?
- What am I avoiding?
- What am I grateful for in my life?
- What am I afraid of?
- What are my biggest strengths and flaws?
- Am I alive to myself?
- What will I do today and what did I achieve yesterday?
- What makes me happy?
- What are my goals in my life?
- Do I love and care for myself?
- What am I thinking right now?
- Am I with my life? Why?
- Is there anything that is bothering me? If so, why does it still exist in my life? Is it ok to ignore it?
- If I have only 5 days in my life, what are the 5 things that I want to do right now?
- What does my perfect everyday routine look like?
- Am I taking steps to achieve my goals in life?
- What is my unique quality that can positively impact and serve the world?
- Who inspires me the most? List three things that you love most in your favorite personality
- How much influence do I have?
- Do I have some unique qualities that would make someone like me?
- How much can I change as an individual?
- What can I expect of other people or relationships?
- What’s my worth?
- What do I do in response to unpleasant feelings and discomfort?
- What emotional states is my mind drawn to?
- What are my three most important values?
- What helps me stay in balance?
- Is there something that I am dreaming of but not working on it?
- Is happiness a choice? If yes, then why?
- What mistakes did I make that ruined my relationships?
Weekly Self-Reflection Questions
- What goals have I achieved?
- What have I learned in the past week?
- Do I gain any skills?
- What are my plans for next week?
- What are the three most important things I want to achieve this week?
- What are my most significant weaknesses, and how do I cope with them?
- Which values were foremost in my actions and decisions throughout this week?
- How motivated do I feel about my goals on a scale of 1 to 10 by the week’s end?
- What are my biggest and small wins this week, and how do they affect my emotions?
- How effectively did I utilize my time, energy, and resources throughout the week?
Student Self-Reflection Questions
Self-reflection is pausing and thinking about what you have learned as a student or professional. Students can also ask self reflection questions to determine their current learning journey. Self-reflection gives powerful insights that can be applied to future experiences.
Some end-of-the-year questions you can try as a student:
- Which is the worst or best subject this year?
- What is the course essence, or what have I learned this year?
- What were the coolest experiences I had this year?
- What new skills did I develop/improve in this previous year?
- What challenges did I face last year in my learning?
- How have I grown or matured over the years?
- Which are the best things that I learned this year?
- Which project I like the most in this year?
- Which events make me happy in this previous year?
- What are my achievements in this year?
How do you work with these self-reflection questions?
With the above self reflection questions, you can learn about your goals, achievements, and mistakes and bring changes in your behavior and character. However, it is not feasible to ask all the questions in one day.
Instead, you can make a journal and start with just one question that relates to your circumstances. Self-reflection can also be gained by positive affirmations. It could be positive affirmations for men or women. It depends on your gender.
Find a peaceful, quiet place to inhale and exhale. Then, be alert and ask yourself and write the answer in your journal, prompted by your subconscious.
After getting insights from these questions, write them on a piece of paper and hang it where you can see them often.
Self-Reflection Quotes
Self-reflection quotes are another way to achieve personal growth and fulfillment. These self-reflection quotes provoke your thoughts toward the reality of who you are and what you want to be. To enhance your self-awareness, we have added some powerful self-reflection quotes:
You reflect what you are, not what you want. So, if you wish to do it, reflect on it. (Tony Gaskins)
The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection. (Thomas Paine)
Self-awareness gives you the capacity to learn from your mistakes as well as your successes. (Lawrence Bossidy)
There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s yourself. (Aldous Huxley)
What we perceive about ourselves is greatly a reflection of how we end up living our lives. (unknown)
Final Thoughts
To live your values in your busy lives, you must pause and ask self reflection questions. It is the most straightforward and relaxing process because all the answers are within you. Spend time with yourself and get to know yourself better. It helps to achieve life goals, friendship goals, or relationship goals. You will see where you were wrong and step ahead on personal growth.
About the Author: Shanzaib Haider
