Self-reflection sounds like some intricate work, but actually, it is just a peep into one’s
own inner world. Often, we get lost in the race of life, “I want to do this, I want to achieve
that, I want to reach here”, and in this race, what we forget is what is happening in the
‘now.’ What we are feeling in the present often gets brushed under the carpet, sometimes
consciously and other times subconsciously. The feelings get piled up one after another,
just like a yarn of thoughts dumped in a corner of the room. Every time this happens, the
pile keeps rising, and just like the yarns, our feelings get tangled in one another. Reflecting
on those actions is the only way of untangling those thoughts and the emotions associated
with them. One may choose any path of healing and self-improvement, but it all begins
with introspecting our actions and emotions.
It is like activating an inner eye to keep a check on your internal happenings. Self
reflection can sometimes be puzzling, making you ponder, what do I actually do? Guess
what, it is neither tricky nor technical. It is about sitting with your thoughts and emotions
objectively and trying to sense a pattern, a reasoning, or any difference. We are intrigued
at times by our own actions, “Why did I behave in that way? Where did that reaction come
from?” There are certainly such questions, and the answers lie within us; we are just
caught up in tangled thoughts, unable to look at those answers. Reflecting on our inner
world gives us insight into the meaning behind our actions.
Self-reflection does not require any fancy tool. At times, it can be challenging to simply sit
and reflect on one’s thoughts. In such cases, you can make art, like painting, poetry, craft,
music or choose any random painting that intrigues you and try to understand the art. If
possible, write about it. Whatever is going on in our head comes out through this process.
Sometimes, what comes out of such activities is surprising; other times, you may already
have a hint about it. In every way, the relief that you feel after understanding your pattern
is unmatched. Once that is determined, we are free to choose our path and how to move
forward.
Sometimes it can be liberating, sometimes it leads to more confusion, sometimes
agitating, and for some, it feels pointless. But no matter what feelings we associate with
it, it is always certainly a good exercise for your mental and psychological health. At least
once, it should be tried by everyone, if not to find answers, then for the sake of the
experience. It is like unwinding a web of your own thoughts.
Art of Self Reflection
