Are you self-aware?

Ronni

Ronni

Well-known Member
Location
Nashville TN
I'm using the term self-awareness this way: Having conscious knowledge of our own own character and feelings. Able to monitor our emotions and thoughts. Awareness of one's flaws as well as virtues. Self awareness allows you to tune in to your own thoughts, understand your motivations, and assists in being self-critical.

I was having a conversation with one of my boys the other day. We were chatting, catching up on life in quarantine, joking and laughing as we always do, and something he said (can't remember what) led me to comment on the fact that I know too well that I'm a motor mouth and I figured that every time he called he had to make sure there was gonna be enough time for me to opine the way I do about every damn thing, ask a thousand questions, take the convo in 15 different directions, and generally keep us both talking for ages, and that I appreciated his patience.

He laughed and told me how much he loved that about me. Huh. Loved what? He loved that I was so self-aware and understanding of my own quirks and the potential effects both good and bad that those quirks could have on people.

I was floored. I don't think I'd ever even HEARD the term before. We talked more about that, and he gave me other examples of myself to further support his statement. Huh. Who knew??? 🤷‍♀️ Certainly not me! After that I did some googling to gain a better understanding of the term, (which is where that first sentence above worth of explanation came from....thanks google!)

So.....I learned something about myself from one of my kids. Now I'm curious about you all. Do you consider yourself to be self-aware? Did you even know about the concept?
 

Lee said:
I have faults like anyone else, what I don't like is someone else pointing them out to me in a non constructive manner. Tell me nicely and I just might listen and learn.
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My husband is exceptionally funny but he uses sarcasm a lot in his humour which usually involves poking fun of other people. He used to work with all men and this was how they all joked around. After living with him for over 30 years I hadn’t realized that I’d started to do the same thing. It can be quite insulting and hurtful being on the receiving end of this type of humour so now I’m trying to be extra cautious but now get far too serious. 🥺

I talk far too much, am an over-sharer, take things far too personally, joke around too much, am far too impulsive, can take things too seriously, can be overly sensitive, ask too many questions,( will begin up 12 topics in one conversation ), am overly critical at times, super moody, can be very self centred .....

There’s a huge list of faults I have which I know about and I actually DO try and censor myself but then I don’t feel like me . It’s feels foreign and pretentious so I try to share my joy since that is usually what most people like & accept. Unfortunately that can then seem like I’m showing off so then I become overly self conscious.

When I’m at home by myself I’m exceptionally self aware but it’s far easier. Even the few people I meet I have no problems with. We’ve been in the same area for over 25 years and I get along with everyone in the area.

When I go out I rarely have issues with people . The truth is I don’t like being around too many people but when I can see people’s eyes and their body language, I can manage even while being scared. Eye contact is everything for me.

What I need to learn to do on these boards is act here the way I do in my normal everyday life even while not seeing or hearing people. I’m not exactly sure why I find it so difficult but I do.
 
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Yes. When people ask me why I don't belong to a gym (for instance), I tell them, "Doesn't matter what my intentions are when signing up, I already know I won't go. I've met myself."

Many on SF are nearly as aware of my faults and foibles as I am.
Why point them out to the newbies? I'm content with allowing them to believe I'm perfect. Until my actions disprove their perceptions, of course.
 
Interesting topic Ronni.....like what Rose said above 'yes, I often wish I wasn't'.... is how I've often felt about being self-aware of who I am, good, bad or ugly traits....but just this last year I have come to totally accept everything about myself in a peaceful way, layer by layer, cuz this is who I really am and have become in my old age.....who cares what others think at this point, pffftttt...
And what a loving and kind compliment from your son @Ronnie xo
 
I'm like PopsnTuff. I honestly don't give a hoot about what people think of me. Over the last few years I'm discovering my true self; my SOUL! I'm finding out things about my feelings, my character, what I need to grow, how to devise more powerful thoughts, how to "send" love to others and to the world, how to truly enjoy who I am, know my spirituality and make the most out of every incident. My Dad always affected the quality of any encounter and I deeply respect him for that. No matter what was going on, he would always make the moments better for everyone!
I've learned gumption and being my own person. I can stand alone and be proud of my accomplishments, even if no one else sees it. Don't care!
It IS important what my children think of me and they tell me on the phone that I'm the coolest Mom ever! You always strive to be the best you can, all the while knowing you're fallible and only a lowly erring mortal.
 
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I believe I am self aware. I've had many years to make and learn from my mistakes and to work on correcting my negative traits. I've learned that my well being and peace of mind is just as important as that of others.
 
I wish I was less self aware. Or not so constantly over thinking, and perpetually exploring my feelings, reactions and expectations. It compromises my spontaneity. I'm working on occupying a middle ground between spontaneous and obsessively self aware.
 
Well, I guess I am. I try to find the good in everyone but sometimes I don't think before I say something and I am told I am too blunt. I hate to say it but my upbringing was good from my standpoint but due to my hearing impairment I missed a lot of social interaction and misinterpreted MANY things so it will probably take the rest of my life to sort things out but that is ok as I can hear now.
 
IrisSenior said:
Well, I guess I am. I try to find the good in everyone but sometimes I don't think before I say something and I am told I am too blunt. I hate to say it but my upbringing was good from my standpoint but due to my hearing impairment I missed a lot of social interaction and misinterpreted MANY things so it will probably take the rest of my life to sort things out but that is ok as I can hear now.
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Hi, I too have Hearing impairment....Yes I do sometimes when a couple of people are talking,,, ,I just smile and they think I know what they are saying. .I miss a lot.... The phone is another problem....Some people talk so low....
 
peppermint said:
Hi, I too have Hearing impairment....Yes I do sometimes when a couple of people are talking,,, ,I just smile and they think I know what they are saying. .I miss a lot.... The phone is another problem....Some people talk so low....
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I wore hearing aids before the implant. Can you get your hearing checked?
 
IrisSenior said:
I wore hearing aids before the implant. Can you get your hearing checked?
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I have very expensive hearing aids... I go to my Doctor 2 times a year....when I'm with people I can hear them...
It's the phone that bother's me....I was talking to my friend and she kept on taking the phone away from her air..
I did tell her what she was doing...She said she was sorry...It was a habit...
 

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