Evolving Through Introspection: An Emotional, Physical, and Mental Feat

Introversion is more than being reserved, shy, and “standoffish.” According to Etymonline, introversion (1650’s) is the “action of turning inward (of thought or contemplation.)”

You don’t have to be an introvert to be introspective. But in this case particular case they do go hand-in-hand. Introspection is simply having an elevated sense of awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and actions and acknowledging and taking responsibility for them. It’s also being aware of what’s going on inside you. Even if you consider yourself extroverted, you have this capability.

I am 100% an introvert (well, according to the Myer-Briggs personality test, about 71%). This number has changed over several years of me taking and retaking the test, which shows me that you can in fact change over time. Physics and metaphysics prove this as well. But that’s a post for another time.

I’ve always been more reserved, quiet, and observant of my environment before becoming too involved since young. I noticed myself becoming more self-aware as I got older. I began asking myself questions before doing or saying something to check in with how I felt about what I was about to say or do.

Such questions could be “How should I deliver this? In what tone?” “Is it the right timing to do/say this?” “Will what I say or do be aligned with something I’d truly do or am I just doing this from impulse/fear?” and many more.

While introspecting on what to say or do beforehand is important, it’s also important to check in with yourself afterward. We don’t always have time to contemplate what we’ll say or do in the moment. A decision or action is sometimes needed as soon as possible with minimal time to think it through.

Reflection afterward is still introspection. The above questions after doing and saying something would be, “How do I feel about my delivery or the action I took? Could I have said or did this differently?” “Was that the right time to do or say that?” “What could I have done differently?”

The most arduous part of becoming more introspective and aware of my emotions and actions is the accountability and responsibility it comes with. With introspection, you are forced to ensure what you’re doing, saying, or thinking will be the right thing and what the potential consequences would or will be, positive or negative. And the like for actions already taken.

Introspection is far from easy. Facing your inner wounds and battles and asking yourself the hard questions about why you do what you do or did, why you continue to do what you do or did, or what you could have done differently can be very confrontational and uncomfortable. But it takes one to recognize the detriment of certain behavioral patterns and decision-making and making a conscious effort to change the behavior. This is true maturity.

It’s easy to blame someone else for disappointments, upset, failed relationships and much more. But we have to ask ourselves: What part did/do we play in it? This is something a lot of people don’t do, and it perpetuates a cycle of victim mentality.

You evolve through introspection because you grow, gain a new level of responsibility, and continue to acknowledge areas where you can continue to grow and become better.

When we look inside ourselves, it’s easier to look inside another. Here, we evolve ourselves and our relationships.