7 Reasons Introspection Is Important
Introspection involves the examination of our thoughts, feelings, and behavior and helps develop the self-awareness required to support personal growth and wellbeing.
Here are science-based reasons introspection is important, supported by research.
1. Development of self-awareness
Introspection increases self-awareness, which is necessary to identify personal values, strengths, and challenges. Recognizing these characteristics is required to promote growth and make informed decisions (Carden et al., 2022).
2. Emotional regulation
Reflecting on our emotions and recognizing triggers and glimmers helps us manage our responses to stressors and challenging situations. Taking responsibility for our emotions and their expression is the hallmark of a mature adult (London et al., 2023).
3. Improved relationships
Introspection is an important self-exploration skill for understanding relationship patterns, setting boundaries, resolving misunderstandings, and building healthier connections (Morales, 2024).
4. Increased resilience
Understanding our unique responses to life events helps us recognize problems and identify solutions at an early stage. This builds coping skills and enhances resilience (Carden et al., 2022).
5. Clarification of goals and values
Introspection supports us aligning our actions with our core values and long-term goals. This is especially important for managing stress and overcoming life challenges that might result in reactive behaviors that undermine our values (London et al., 2023).
6. Encouragement of growth and change
Introspection is an important aspect of self-discovery that can uncover areas of stagnation and help to motivate change. Self-reflection questions are required to leave our comfort zone and seize opportunities for growth (Carden et al., 2022).
7. Enhanced problem-solving and creativity
Introspection fuels creativity by allowing people to process experiences and learn from them. Self-reflection questions, followed by writing about experiences, can generate new perspectives and solutions, especially when used as support for psychotherapy (Ruini & Mortara, 2022).
By regularly practicing introspection, we can develop a deeper understanding of ourselves, leading to greater fulfilment, improved relationships, and the capacity to navigate life’s complexities with resilience and confidence.
How to Self-Reflect in 6 Steps
This exercise has been designed to explore your feelings, identify unmet personal needs, and align your actions with your values. The exercise integrates mindfulness and values-based self-reflection, helping you nurture self-awareness and personal growth.
- Find a quiet, comfortable place where you won’t be disturbed. Bring a notebook or device to record your reflections.
- Begin with a mindful body scan.
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
– What are you feeling right now?
– Where do you notice these feelings in your body?
Note your observations.
- Identify the source.
– What events, thoughts, or situations might be contributing to these feelings?
– Are these feelings aligned with your values or external pressures?
- Explore your needs.
– What do you need most right now (e.g., rest, connection, adventure, achievement)?
– Are there unmet needs or boundaries you need to address?
- Consider acting.
Can you take a small step to address your needs or align more closely with your values today? For example:
– If you feel stressed, commit to a short relaxation activity.
– If you feel disconnected, reach out to someone important to you.
- Review your experience.
– How do you feel now compared to when you started?
– What did you learn about yourself?
How to deal with discomfort when reflecting
For the more extroverted among us especially, looking inward may not be a natural tendency and can be challenging and uncomfortable.
For example, when practicing the inner observation of mindfulness for the first time, people are often shocked to find out how random and chaotic their thought processes are. They may also be negative, critical, or bullying. This can create anxiety if we hold on to these thoughts and believe in them (Hanckmann, 2021).
However, this recognition of the often chaotic nature of thoughts is normal and an important stage of mindfulness practice. It is believing in them that is problematic and creates anxiety (Hanckmann, 2021). As your mindfulness skills improve, you begin to see thoughts as temporary and fleeting.
When reflecting, if you begin to feel stressed, remember that you can step back and “defuse” from your thoughts rather than identifying with them (Assaz et al., 2023). We have a free worksheet of cognitive defusion exercises based on acceptance and commitment therapy that can help.
In short, it is quite normal to feel uncomfortable when doing introspection, but there are skills you can use to manage and even dissolve any discomfort.
What our readers think
very useful indeed
Thank you very much 🙂
Fantastic article and each of the Reflective Question is like a light house taking us deep inside of our life experiences.
Thank You with deep appreciation in preparing this.
Great article! Self-reflection is necessary for improvement!
A very informative article. I learned alot.
I would say ”Best” information I’ve ever read about Self-reflection