The Importance of Self-Reflection

By: Andrea Moral-Lopez

"We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be."

- May Sarton

After spending so much time trying to act and be a certain way, it can be hard to find time for yourself. Especially in college, when you truly begin to put yourself out there, whether it be in classes, clubs, or through internships. Expectations are placed on you: how you should act, dress, and so much more. With finals and responsibilities to handle, it can be easy to lose sight of yourself.

Through reflection, you can analyze what your strengths and flaws are, as well as how to improve on them. There are several ways to do this, here are a couple:

1. Journal

Take some time out of your day to write down your thoughts, opinions, and emotions. Doing this can help you understand yourself. According to Rosebud, journaling can help you manage stress and anxiety, improve mental clarity, and enhance creativity!

2. Talk to yourself

Although this may sound odd, it’s actually really helpful. Psyche mentions that through self-talk, you can calm yourself in stressful situations, as you can remind yourself of what’s in your span of control and what isn’t. It’s also through this that you can participate in self-affirmation, reminding yourself what you’re good at.

At the end of the day, it’s important to learn to be with yourself – to accept who you are and enjoy being alone with yourself. After all, this is a benefit to not just your mentality but can also help you learn what you enjoy doing and how you can integrate this into your career.