Self-Reflection And Your Happiness
Do you ever ask yourself “Is this all there is?” Do you suffer from a vague sense of unrest that you don’t have IT quite right and that you are missing something important but you are moving too fast to figure it out?
Are you rushing around trying to meet all your commitments and feeling that you yourself are not getting what you want out of your own life?
It is easy to get caught up doing lots of things that don’t fulfill us. It is useful to periodically step back and ask if you are using your one and only life in a way that is in line with your deepest desires and values.
Many years ago, I went on a vision quest in the Sangre De Christo Mountains of Colorado. I went with a group called Animus Valley Institute, through Omega institute. It involved 10 days, 3 of which were fasting alone in the wilderness.
It taught me the value of stillness, something that in our modern life is neglected.
To start, think about where you want your life to go. Are there areas in which you have some regrets or need closure? Are you spending time with the people with whom you want to spend time? Are you doing the things that have meaning for you?
Self-reflection gives you the opportunity to explore yourself at a deeper level. Doing it with a therapist guide can take you deeper than you might go all on your own. The therapist can ask questions you may not consider. She can also be your witness, a contribution that can be very grounding.
The process of discovering your inner self is a life long journey. Step by step, you’ll be able to get rid of toxicity in your life and find balance. So, no matter what part of life’s journey you’re on, you can discover your inner self in a few ways…
- Set goals and continue to check in with yourself to assess progress and make adjustments to your goals.
- Learn to say no! Create healthy boundaries.
- Identify things in life that add to your happiness. Increase your access to them.
- Practice gratitude – this is incredibly powerful
- Silence your inner critic! Often times, we’re too hard on ourselves. Cognitive Behavior Therapy is useful for changing the toxic effects of negative self-talk
- Embrace imperfections. No one has a perfect life and there will always be challenges and setbacks. Don’t compare yourself to others as their lives are never what you imagine. Remember that Comparison is always a losing game. Be grateful for your own life and focus on how you would like to change it.
At Peg Walsh Psychotherapy, one of my major interests and skills is working with individuals who want to explore their psychological, emotional, relational and spiritual dimensions. I see this kind of inner journey as a gift they give themselves. Inner peace and happiness can emerge when one sets the intention of listening deeply to one’s self.
I consider it a great honor to have the opportunity to guide others on the sacred journey of listening to your soul.
