Important questions I’ve been asking myself lately.
How self-reflection moves me towards real growth and purpose.
On my mind: What good does reflection do if change never happens?
Like many others, I do a lot of my reflecting at night, right before bed. In the past, when the thoughts coming to my mind were especially stressful, or moved me to consider taking a tough step forward, it paralyzed me.
I started to develop a relationship with reflection that looked a lot like avoidance.
I’ve long since revisited my relationship with late night reflection, and it’s led me to remember a few important points:
Having stressful thoughts is normal. Anxiety can be a challenging visitor - trying to control it only encourages it to overstay its welcome. Accept, be curious, let go.
If I avoid reflection, then I am in many ways avoiding change. Sometimes reflection leads us to a difficult decision. Facing it can be transformative, even amongst the fear.
Lean into your rhythms. For a while I was convinced I needed to reflect first thing in the morning instead of late at night. Now, if you know me…I’m not a morning person. This experiment (although ultimately illuminating!) proved to be a huge routine shift that ultimately left me disconnected and out of sorts. Follow your body. Don’t force it.
Regular dialogue with the self is a ritual that sharpens my internal compass. Self knowledge is an integral spoke on my wheel of purpose. To know where I’m going, I need to understand myself today.
Today I’m sharing a few of the important reflective questions that help keep me grounded.
If my purpose is a doorway, these questions are the frame.
What nourishes me? When do I feel warm, fuzzy and fulfilled?
What helped me focus my time this week/ this month?
What relationships need more attention? Which ones should I let go of?
How is my self-talk? Where can I insert more patience and compassion for myself?
When was the last time I paused to be mindful? Do I need a moment to check in?
When was the last time I listened to my intuition? What did it tell me?
What inspires and excites me?
These questions are not static. They are an ever-evolving part of my reflective toolkit. Both the questions (and the answers) change depending on where I am in my life and what’s been on my mind. Sometimes it’s confirmatory — a sign I’m on the right track. Other times they are clear beacons that I’ve lost the plot, and need to get back to what really matters.
If you’re reading this and are considering re-thinking your relationship with self reflection, consider your own important questions. Make answering them a habit you don’t avoid. Do your answers change over time? How do they act as guide posts towards a sense of purpose or wholeness?What ways do they move you into change, or bring you back to to center?
Sending good energy your way✨,
Meg
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