Hey Boost Friend!

Ever feel like you’re losing a sense of who you really are?

If there’s one thing that we haven’t had any shortages of in 2020, it’s time alone with our thoughts. We’ve all had to put up with ourselves and really reflect on our lives with everything being slowed down by the pandemic. Some days being self-aware has its benefits other times it feels like our intuitions should really give us a break. Self-awareness comes with vulnerability, and that’s not something we always enjoy, but can be very empowering. The more we know about ourselves, the more we’re able to learn how to be self-aware and work on the parts of ourselves that we need to change.

Why Learn How To Be Self-Aware?

We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and figuring them out means we can navigate life more effectively. Think of it as self-communication. If you were to completely stop talking to a friend or family member for a long time, that relationship would most likely suffer. You’d lose touch with who the other person is. It’s no different when it comes to the relationship with yourself. It’s up to you to weed out the weaker parts that prevent you from living up to your full potential and live according to your strengths to become the best, most SUPERCHARGED version of yourself. Self-awareness is all about learning how to take better care of yourself.

Here are a few simple ways you can be more self-aware:

1. Check-in with yourself

We all experience life differently, and even two people who experience the exact same thing at the same time will have different outcomes. You aren’t expected to feel a certain way just because everybody else does. Be fully transparent with yourself. There’s no point in denying how you feel because you will ultimately know the truth. Time for an honest chat! Take a moment to sit and have a conversation with yourself. If talking out loud makes you feel a little uncomfortable, then make it a mental conversation. The best part is...you could do this whenever and wherever you are. Why not make some time for it today?

2. Don’t ignore the bad things

Self-awareness doesn’t always mean discovering the good parts of yourself; it’s learning that sometimes you can be someone you really don’t like. Avoid toxic positivity (i.e. encouraging only good and pleasant feelings), and welcome negative feelings too—it’s the only way we can work through them. Everyone experiences feelings of jealousy, self-doubt, loneliness, etc...we’re human! The important thing is that you get to the root of these feelings so that you can learn how to deal with them. When you experience these emotions, take some time to reflect on why you feel them, what causes it, and how you can avoid it moving forward.

3. Journal

Something that really allows us to witness our growth is journaling. How you feel one year, month, or even week can change so much from the next. We can almost guarantee that reading old diary entries will give you a sense of relief because you’ll be so grateful that you’ve grown and moved on from your past self. Grab that spare notebook and pen, and get to writing! Letting whatever comes to mind flow onto the page can be extremely effective and therapeutic.

4. Learn to be comfortable alone

I’m sure we’ve all experienced being in an unpleasant mood and would rather call our friends and family to distract us from our problems rather than be alone. It’s great to be surrounded by people who want the best for you, but quality time with yourself is so necessary too. Start by making it a habit to do things you’d normally do with a companion but alone. It can be running errands, grabbing a coffee, or going to the gym by yourself.

5. Surround yourself with people who keep it real

It’s not always easy to look at yourself objectively since we typically tend to be biased when it comes to ourselves. Sometimes people around us are able to pick up on our patterns better than we can. Use this as an opportunity to ask people around you for their honest opinions about you from time to time. We know, we know...finding a genuine network can be a bit tricky. To start, check out our SUPERCHARGED® Boost Friends community where you can connect to a new type of friend—the kind that's invested in your growth.

6. Never be ashamed of who you are

Stay true to you. Self-awareness can be met with shame in discovering parts of yourself that may not be as acceptable to others, but never let that stop you from living your truth. Start by sharing more about yourself with others to give you that extra boost of self-appreciation.

7. Focus on your own journey

Feeling inspired by others is absolutely great, but it should never make you feel like you are not enough. Comparison really is the thief of joy, but understanding that you’re also deserving of good things will help you make it happen for yourself. If you find yourself comparing your life to others online, then limit your social media usage. And as a good exercise, list 1-3 things you are grateful for each day.

8. Recognize your power

You have the potential to inspire those around you, yet you cannot pour from an empty cup. Those who are in a good place with themselves can help others get to that point too. Start by helping out in your community where you can, and witness the positive and powerful effects of your decisions.

9. Be gentle with yourself

The way you speak to yourself really does mean something. Don’t be too hard on yourself; it only makes things more difficult. Remember to slow it down when you need to, and develop good self-care habits that you can practice regularly.

10. Celebrate small wins!

Celebrating your wins, breakthroughs, or the achievement of personal goals helps you boost your self-awareness. Constantly encourage and inspire yourself! Make a big fuss when you achieve something...you deserve it.

Like anything, self-awareness is a skill that you develop and improve over time. It’s true that often nothing good comes easy, but it’s definitely worth the effort. Here’s to mastering how to be self-aware and becoming our best selves... together!