One of the most important things I work on daily is maintaining a level of self-awareness. This doesn't just mean understanding yourself (likes, dislikes, etc.). It also means you understand how what you do and say affects others, your reactions to others and what people/situations/experiences trigger your symptoms. This is a very important part of being able to cope as effectively as you can with whatever life throws your way.
I've also worked very hard to help my daughter, Jaimie, reach a strong level of self-awareness. As many of you know, she lives with SPD, Aspergers and other issues. The more I taught her about her sensory sensitivities, why she reacts to things the way she does and why others react to her the way they do when she's upset or reactive, the more confidence she gained. The reason for this is because once she became more aware of what was going on in her body, she was better able to explain to others what her needs were. She didn't need me to advocate for her as strongly because she was learning how to do it on her own. THAT is a powerful gift. And it's what we all should be doing, whether you live with anxiety, depression, bipolar or another mental health issue.
People don't always take the time to understand these conditions, or our unique form of it. But the more self-aware we are, the more able we are to give the right information. Esperanza magazine has a great article where writer, Bruce Clark, discusses his own journey to self-awareness. Click HERE to check it out. (I had to share this one, also, because he's a fellow Winnipegger!)
Enjoy and feel free to share.
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