How to Reflect

‘Mindfulness’ and ‘presence’ have become part of our daily vocabulary for a reason. The importance of being fully invested in reality and in the future have been proven as key determinants of individual health and satisfaction. A large part of being in the moment is feeling fully present. One strong way to increase your presence is to reflect on how you are feeling, on what has worked well for you in the past, on your hopes for the future and on just existing in the moment.

We have listed some ways in which you can explore this. 

Journaling is a great way to give yourself space to let the words and thoughts flow. It can allow you to check in with yourself and focus your attention on your current state. There are many options when it comes to journaling practices but some most common ones include keeping a gratitude journal, writing using the stream of consciousness method, creating an art journal or setting aside time to regularly contribute to a visual journal. 

Journaling is effective in reducing stress and increasing introspection. It may be insightful to schedule time for after you have captured your thoughts on paper to quietly reflect back on what you have chosen to fill your pages with.

Is there anything more calming than going on a walk in nature? Combining walking with reflection is a strong way to ground yourself. You can either choose to walk with an open mind, simply observing your body and breathing as you move, or you can set a specific intention for your walk. 

Some of the different walking exercises you can apply to uplift yourself and make space for reflection include 

• Gratitude Walks 
• Appreciation Walks
  
  

Setting aside clear time to reflect is a meaningful and positive way to check in with yourself. Reflection exercises can involve a variety of activities. We have created two worksheets for you to walk through as an introduction to reflection. 

• Gratitude Exercise- enhancing appreciation for your life through the logical levels
• What Worked Well, Even Better If- a practical way to reflect on the past and set intentions for your future

Reflection exercises can range from thought-provoking to calming. We also recommend exploring guided reflection exercises with a coach or using self-paced audio. 

Few things call upon reflection and intention as much as setting goals for a year. The act of unpacking what you want from the year is a deep exploration of your own values, identity and vision. This process is best supported by incorporating visuals to help you observe your goals, either through a whiteboard, a worksheet or a representational graphic.

Some of the strongest ways to explore what you want for the year include

• Scheduling a session with you coach
• Self Coaching yourself on this topic
• Completing a custom worksheet - Planting The Seeds
  
  

Often for reflection and introspection to take place you first need to quieten your mind. Acts like yoga and meditation can help to reconnect you to your body and calm your mind to a space where you are ready to be curious. Both of these practices focus on reducing stress, lowering the heart rate and instilling a sense of peace. For some, the act of reading or practicing breathing exercises can have a similar effect. 

Self Coaching is an immediate and accessible way to check in with yourself. It encourages honest and open thoughts and reconnects your actions and behaviors to your true intentions. It entails guiding yourself to a greater self awareness from which solutions, ideas and possibilities become more visible.

Self coaching also allows you to take a more objective view of yourself and your current situation which can be calming and provide a new perspective for reflection.

Exploring ways in which you can deepen your presence and mindfulness through reflection is an expression of self care. You may already practice some of these exercises while others may be new to you. Keep in mind that what may work best for you could be completely different from what works for others. What matters at the end of the day is finding your own methods and practices that help you to reflect and find a deeper sense of self awareness.