Hi, I’m Cathy! Your self-esteem booster. Together, let’s navigate the three pillars I learned from being a parent and a grandparent. They are assertive communication, conflict resolution, and setting healthy boundaries to cultivate a nurturing and happy family environment. I'm not here to dwell on your past parenting mistakes but, to focus on unlocking your full potential and creating lasting positive changes for you and your family.

Sometimes, we do things without really knowing why. These things can affect our lives significantly, even if we don't realize it. It may be just luck or destiny. But if we understand more about why we do things, we can make better choices and have more control over our lives.

What is Self-Awareness?

Self-awareness is like a GPS to a traveller: Similar to how a traveller relies on a GPS to navigate unfamiliar territory, self-awareness guides one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It provides direction, helping individuals understand themselves and make better, informed decisions about their lives, just like a GPS helps a traveller reach their destination.

5 Benefits of Being Self-Aware

Being self-aware comes with lots of benefits. 

Self-confidence: First, it helps you build confidence. When you know yourself well, you feel more comfortable in your skin. This confidence shines through in everything you do, whether talking to new people or trying something new.

Emotional Regulation: Self-awareness also helps you navigate tricky situations. Instead of reacting without thinking, you can pause and consider how you want to respond. Self-awareness can prevent arguments and help you solve problems more effectively.

Better Decision Making: When self-aware, you make better decisions that align with your values and goals. You're less likely to be influenced by peer pressure or external expectations because you know what's important to you. Better decision-making leads to more confidence and contributes to your overall well-being.

Improved Conflict Resolution: Conflict is a natural part of life, but how we handle it can make a big difference. Self-awareness allows you to recognize your triggers and biases, making it easier to approach conflicts with empathy and understanding. I don’t know about you, but my youngsters caused many triggers for me. I never took the time to reflect on my behaviour until one day when I was in a heated argument with my husband and oldest daughter, and they pointed out how I behaved. Yikes! By taking ownership of your feelings and behaviours, you can work towards resolving conflicts respectfully and productively.

Enhanced Emotional Regulation: Emotions can be powerful and sometimes overwhelming, but self-awareness can help you manage them more effectively. Understanding your emotional triggers and patterns allows you to develop healthy coping strategies to regulate emotions and maintain balance. Self-awareness leads to greater emotional resilience and inner peace, even during challenging times.

3 Steps to How to Become Self-Aware

Now that you know why self-awareness is critical, let's discuss how to develop it. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Pay attention to your feelings: Take time to notice how you feel throughout the day. Are you happy, sad, or frustrated? Understanding your emotions is the first step to becoming more self-aware.
2. Reflect on your actions: Take a few minutes at the end of the day, when brushing your teeth, for example, and consider why you did certain things. Did you choose because it felt right, or were you trying to please someone else? Thinking about your actions can help you understand your motives and values. 
3. Ask for feedback: Sometimes, other people can see things about us that we can't see ourselves. Ask trusted friends or family members who are great people to offer feedback on your strengths and weaknesses. They can help you gain a better understanding of who you are. Please note: Talking to another person makes us vulnerable. Ensure you speak to trusted people who genuinely want to support you. 

5 Questions to Ask Yourself to start your self-awareness journey. 

1. What are my strengths and weaknesses?
2. What are my core values and beliefs, and do my actions align with them?
3. What activities or situations energize me, and which ones drain me?
4. How do I handle stress, and are there healthier ways I could cope?
5. What triggers strong emotional reactions in me, and why?



Self-Awareness and Self-Esteem

Self-awareness and self-esteem go hand in hand. When you know yourself well, you feel more confident in your abilities. This confidence boosts your self-esteem and helps you believe in yourself.

But self-awareness isn't just about building confidence—it's also about building stronger relationships. When you understand your own needs and emotions, you can communicate them more effectively to others. Self-awareness creates deeper connections based on honesty and understanding.

In conclusion, think of self-awareness as being a skilled gardener. Your mind is like a garden; self-awareness is like tending to it. You pull out the weeds (bad thoughts) and help the seeds  (positive thoughts) grow. Self-awareness is vital to becoming a better person and building stronger family relationships.

Building self-awareness takes time and practice, so be patient with yourself. As you continue to learn and grow, you'll become more confident and self-assured, setting a positive example for your youngsters.



So take some time to get to know yourself. You might be surprised at what you discover!

In next week's blog, I am delving into self-discipline.

"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." - Jim Rohn

I lacked self-discipline in many areas until I studied the topic. Now, self-discipline helps me enormously to accomplish my goals.

Remember, the key is to lead by example and create a safe space for open communication within your family.



Change begins with ourselves!

I wish you heartfelt warmth and support on your parenting journey!

Cathy