What is self-awareness

Self-awareness is the ability to recognise and understand your own thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and how they impact both yourself and others. It’s essentially the process of becoming more conscious of who you are — your strengths, weaknesses, values, beliefs, desires, and triggers.

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There are two main types of self-awareness:

1. Internal self-awareness

This is your understanding of your own internal states — your emotions, thoughts, and motivations. It’s the ability to recognise why you feel a certain way or why you act the way you do. For example, noticing that you’re feeling anxious because of a stressful situation at work or realising that you react defensively when criticised because of past experiences.

Self-awareness is the ability to take an honest look at your life without any attachment to it being right or wrong, good or bad.

– Debbie Ford –

2. External self-awareness

This involves understanding how others perceive you. It’s being aware of how your actions and words affect the people around you. For instance, realising that your tone of voice may come across as harsh, even if that’s not your intention, or being able to see how your behaviour in a group setting influences the dynamic.

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Self-awareness is about being mindful and reflective in the present moment, observing your reactions and emotions without judgment. It means noticing your patterns — whether they’re positive or negative — and seeking to understand where they come from. It’s not just about being aware of your feelings, but also about accepting them and using that insight to improve your relationships, decisions, and personal growth.

Developing self-awareness is a lifelong process that involves regular self-reflection, mindfulness, and openness to learning about yourself. It can help you align your actions with your core values, make healthier decisions, and relate to others in a more empathetic and thoughtful way.