Learning to Observe Yourself

Know thyself

Getting to know yourself is the most important goal in your life. You can live your best life when you know yourself better, and to know yourself, you need to observe yourself.

What are you thinking? What are you feeling?

It’s helpful to do a daily thought download and empty everything in your head by writing it down. (Writing in a daily journal works too!)

What’s going on in your head?

  • I’m afraid
  • I’m worried
  • I’m procrastinating, again
  • I don’t want to do it
  • I want to eat or drink something
  • I want to do nothing
  • I want to hide
  • I’m not good enough
  • I’m a failure
  • I’m confused
  • I’m tired
  • I want to spend the day watching Netflix 🙂

Practice watching yourself

Looking out for “false pleasures” such as:

Buffering. Overeating. Overdrinking. Overspending. Creating other “false pleasures” to feel better. Indulging yourself. playing the victim, feeling resentful, pitying yourself, feeling anger, lashing out. Beating yourself up. “I’m not enough, I’m giving up. I can’t have that. I’m a failure. I’m will punish myself by forcing myself to do this and power through.”

Start looking for your true self

Being with it. Reconnect to your true self by starting to:

Feel it. Be with it. Watch it. Don’t respond. Let it wash over you. Nothing to do or change. Reconnect with your center. Meditate. Relax. Be yourself. Nurture yourself. Do what you’re meant to do. What do you love? What inspires you?

Go back to your daily thought download (or your daily journal) for a closer look at your thoughts and feelings.

Without drama, and with deep compassion for yourself, take a closer look: What are you feeling most of the time? How do you deal with it? What can you change? What “just is”?

  • What if you started to do things for yourself rather than for others?
  • How can you create a better relationship with yourself and therefore create a better life?
  • What are you holding on to that is getting in the way of your happiness?

Are you ready to ask for help? If any part of this resonates with you, I get it. I’ve struggled with these things too. Let’s work together on learning to understand yourself better.


Author: Jamie Cavanaugh

Jamie Cavanaugh is a Certified Life Coach, Educator, Interaction Designer, and Writer.

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