Get to Know Yourself Better: How to Practice Self-Awareness

We are ever-evolving and the surest path toward continuous growth is to turn inward and practice self-awareness. After all, how will we get to where we strive to be if we don’t know, nor listen, to what we need right now?

What Is Self-Awareness?

Self-awareness is the ability to understand our emotions, thoughts, beliefs, strengths and weaknesses, and how these influence our behavior. It’s having what experts call an observing ego that considers our many actions, choices, feelings, needs and wants with a level of objectivity. At its simplest, it’s paying attention. And there are three areas of ourselves that we can be more aware of:

Physical: Being aware of our bodies and what they need to be healthy and strong, such as quality rest, nourishing meals, regular movement and joyful experiences, or noticing when something might be wrong

Relational: Understanding how others perceive and experience us, our quirks and our habits to manage our reactions and interpret the responses of others, too

Emotional: Being able to notice when we are experiencing a feeling and identifying what that feeling is so we can attend to the feeling and use it to motivate, inform, guide and enrich us

Experts highlight this form of self-awareness is the most important because emotions are information. “Becoming aware of your emotions is becoming aware of the most deeply personal, biological expression of who you are,” said Jonice Webb, a psychologist for psychologytoday.com.

Self-awareness is key to thriving. It supports overall wellbeing in several ways:

Contributes to healthy decisions, especially during difficult situations

Strengthens relationships by promoting authentic communication, enhancing empathy and supporting relationship independence

Acts as a buffer to prevent life’s stressors from morphing into depression or anxiety

Improves overall health with research showing it impacts biometrics like reducing body mass index (BMI), lowering fasting glucose and increasing the likelihood of physical activity

Quick Introspective Questions to Boost Self-Awareness

What am I feeling right now? Reflect on what is happening and what you need presently.

What would others say they adore about me? Be aware of the areas where you have the most positive impact.

What drains me? What invigorates me? This connects to all three areas of self-awareness and can guide you toward more joy.

What am I afraid of? Examine if and how that fear has impacted your past decisions or opportunities.

Do I act in ways that don’t align with who I want to be? Contemplate the enlightening reasons for this.

“Knowing who you are, what you need, what you feel, and how you affect others,” said Jonice Webb, a psychologist for psychologytoday.com, “gradually helps you to feel more grounded, more fulfilled, more connected and more alive.”

Sources:

“How to Become More Self-Aware and Why You Should,” Jonice Webb, psychologytoday.com, May 28, 2024.

“Three Ways Self-Awareness Can Improve Your Marriage,” Mark Travers, psychologytoday.com, Oct. 21, 2024.

“These 20 Questions Can Help You Boost Your Self-Awareness,” LaKeisha Fleming, verywellmind.com, Oct. 26, 2025.