How’s your December going so far? Mine has been hectic, so please excuse me for being a few days late with this month’s newsletter.
Of course, we all know that the 1st December is a special date in our diaries, but it looks like December has got of to a flying start at Sahir House with the Santa Dash for Sahir on World AIDS Day, which combined with the Snatch Game raised a combined total of £6,883! A massive well done to everyone involved.
December can be a reflective time for many of us, a time to look back over the last year at the highs and the lows. It can also be a good to time to become a little bit more self-aware.
Sometimes we might hear the use of the words ‘self-aware’ to describe someone in a negative way. We might say it about a person who is aware of the fact they are talented or goodlooking, and perhaps a little conceited.
Self-awareness also has a more positive meaning and can be a valuable attribute. It’s a really important topic, and one that can have a big impact on your mental health and wellbeing. Self-awareness is the ability to understand your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It’s about being able to see yourself clearly, both the good and the bad. When you’re self-aware, you’re better able to manage your emotions, make healthy choices, and build strong relationships.
There are many different ways to become more self-aware. One way is to simply pay attention to your thoughts and feelings throughout the day. Notice what triggers your emotions, and how you react to different situations.
Self-awareness is the foundation for personal growth and development. When we are self-aware, we can:
- Make better decisions: We can weigh our options and choose the path that aligns with our values and goals.
- Improve our relationships: We can communicate more effectively and understand the needs of others.
- Manage our emotions: We can recognise our triggers and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
- Increase our self-esteem: We can appreciate our strengths and work on our weaknesses.
- Live a more fulfilling life: We can pursue our passions and live in alignment with our true selves.
One of the key aspects of self-awareness is the ability to recognise our emotions. Emotions are a natural part of the human experience, and they can be both positive and negative. When we can identify our emotions, we can better understand and manage them.
To do this properly, we need to develop a better understanding of our triggers. Triggers are situations or events that can cause us to feel strong emotions. For example, you might be the type of person that feels incredibly angry if you are kept waiting by someone, or if someone doesn’t respond to your texts. Maybe you are the type of person who will react emotionally in a professional situation, and then have second thoughts about it afterwards, perhaps regretting something you have said.
Understanding our triggers can help us to avoid them, or the situations which may lead to them. We can also try to develop other ways of coping and reacting, once we are aware of them. It can also be helpful if we can become aware of what our own strengths and weaknesses are. Knowing our strengths can help us build on them, while recognising our weaknesses can help us improve them.
Self-reflection is a powerful tool for personal growth. It allows you to examine your thoughts, feelings, and actions objectively, leading to valuable insights and positive change.
A great way to begin the process is to draw up a list of personal strengths and weaknesses. It’s a simple enough idea, but not something many of us do. Make yourself a cuppa, set 10 minutes aside and give it a go. It might be your first step to becoming more self-aware and becoming a better version of yourself.
Remember, self-awareness is not about perfection; it’s about progress. Be patient with yourself, celebrate your successes, and embrace the journey of self-discovery. By taking the time to understand yourself, you’ll unlock your potential and live a more fulfilling life.
My final thoughts for this month. When it comes to getting in the moment and being mindful, many people say to me they simply don’t have time. My response is always the same, if you don’t have half an hour to yourself for some self-care, then you need an hour! On that note it is time for one last push before my Christmas break.
Take good care of yourselves and have a great Christmas. I’ll be back in 2025.
Martin Furber is a therapist qualified in various modalities and an Instructor Member of Mental Health First Aid England. If you would like me to cover any other subjects to do with mental health and well-being please get in touch, I’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to send me an email with SAHIR HOUSE in the subject line to solutions@martinfurber.com
If you would like to know more about the private treatments I offer then please check out my website https://www.martinfurber.com
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