![]() Besides the classic diary, they can combine words with drawings or images if your teen is more visually inclined. If you had a diary of your own when you were young, you can share it to encourage your teen to start his own. Writing provides a sense of clarity especially for confusing and complex feelings we don’t yet understand.įor the emotionally loaded or conflicted experiences teens face as they grow, writing a journal is particularly useful since it provides a safe space for expressing their feelings, and there is a greater chance that creative solutions will emerge in the form of new decisions and actions. Writing our thoughts down can help us explore what is going on in our minds – what we think, how we feel, what inspires or frightens us. This is another form of self-reflection, but it is especially beneficial for teenagers. For instance: “Honey, why don’t you go for a walk, write in your journal, or just spend some time processing this so you can figure out your true feelings and what you should do next.” Keeping a journal ![]() You can simply offer a gentle suggestion. Though it may appear we’re doing nothing, we are consciously and subconsciously processing information and getting closer to our true selves. This could mean taking a walk outside or just sitting or lying down in your room and doing nothing. If your teen is more extroverted and doesn’t like being alone, you should teach him the advantages of slowing down and self-reflecting every now and then. ![]() However, you might suggest that exploring and learning different ways to self-reflect could be beneficial for him. If your teen is more introverted, he prefers to spend time alone and you should respect his need. This applies to your teen as well, especially after busy day or week. Sometimes (ideally each day) we need to slow down, pause, be still, and be left quietly alone for self-reflection because this will ground us in reality. However, our brains haven’t evolved fast enough to catch up and process all the information and impressions inundating us daily. We live in a busy world where speed and multitasking have become the norm. Let’s not forget that we thrive together with our kids! Time and space for self-reflection And remember, it’s good for all of us to be open to applying them in our own lives. Each can become a habit of daily routine, which is the best-case scenario. Your teen doesn’t have to choose only one as they begin to discover which of these practices resonates the most with his/her unique being. There are a variety of practices and exercises to help you enhance self-awareness as you guide your child’s development, and we describe these below. However, since it is crucial in taking ownership of our lives and the direction we choose, we all need to foster it in ourselves and in our children.Īll parents need support. This skill develops naturally over time through experience and maturity. Practically speaking, being self-aware means we are able to understand our thoughts, emotions, beliefs, traits, and motivations and perceive how they affect our performance. ![]() Who am I? What makes me special, a unique human being, different from others? What do I want from my life? Why do I feel like this? What made me react like this? These are just some of the questions adolescents ask themselves.Īnswers to such questions build the foundation of a teen’s self-awareness. Why is self-awareness important for teens? ![]() Acclaimed psychologist Daniel Goleman points out that self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligence and that mastery of emotional self-awareness is a key attribute of successful leaders. Research has shown that a high self-awareness score is a crucial predictor of overall success. He who knows others is wise he who knows himself is enlightened. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |