The art of self-reflection

I’m doing a Mental Wellness Series for #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth. Every Thursday this May, I’m writing about one theme that shapes how we live, feel, and function.

This week’s focus is self-reflection.

We spend so much time looking outward—managing tasks, responding to others, chasing what’s next. It’s easy to become efficient at everything—except being with yourself.

Self-reflection isn’t a trend or a one-time exercise. It’s a quiet habit of returning to your inner world. A chance to check in before things pile up. A way to stay honest with yourself when life gets loud.

But when things are uncertain or fast, reflection can feel like a luxury. When you’re always solving or giving, it can feel unnatural to pause and ask, How am I really doing with all of this?

We’re conditioned to value doing over being. Output over observation. But without reflection, we live on autopilot—reacting instead of responding, pushing forward without checking if it’s even the direction we want.

Mental wellness isn’t just about pushing through. It’s about knowing yourself—what grounds you, what drains you, when you're out of alignment, when you’re pretending to be fine.

That kind of knowing doesn’t come from noise. It comes from stillness. From noticing without judgment. 

Self-reflection isn’t about overthinking. It’s about seeing clearly. It’s asking, Am I living in a way that feels true—or just tolerable?

In therapy, I meet people who are doing well on paper but feel disconnected inside. Not because they’re broken, but because they’ve been living by borrowed rules without pausing to ask if those rules still fit.

Sometimes, clarity doesn’t come from talking to someone else. It comes from listening to yourself. Writing something down. Sitting with your own words. Noticing the small signs of misalignment you’ve been ignoring.

You don’t need a long ritual to reflect. You need honesty. Five quiet minutes. A willingness to be with what is.

Because self-reflection isn’t about fixing everything. It’s about asking better questions. About remembering that your life is allowed to change when you do.

So this week, give yourself a moment—not to plan or solve, but to listen.

Here's to self-reflection leading to lasting transformation for all of us.

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If you are looking for a structured way to reflect, do not forget to check out my bestselling book on the topic ‘Question The Answers.’ https://lnkd.in/gEKjdyHY