Part 2: Healing through Self-Awareness
My relationship with self-awareness
This is a continuation of The Biggest Flex is Self-Awareness. You can read more here.
Self-awareness is a gradual cognitive and emotional development process that begins in infancy and continues throughout our lives. While self-awareness may emerge in rudimentary forms during early childhood, it becomes more complex and refined as we mature. As we grow, we gain a deeper understanding of our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and their impact on ourselves and others. Significant life experiences, interactions with others, and periods of introspection often prompt heightened self-awareness, leading to profound insights into our identity, values, and purpose.
My Rude Awakening
I didn’t fully step into my journey of self-awareness until my late 20s. I blacked out my cubicle at my then-corporate job, and I couldn’t understand why. My work phone wouldn’t stop ringing; the e-mails and tears overflowed. I was overwhelmed and shaking. After being met with several panic attacks and crying episodes, I decided to commit to therapy for over four years. We unpacked everything from my childhood traumas and my personal and professional relationships.