SCH 109 Why Becoming Self-Aware is a Form of Self-Care

I’m on a journey to becoming self-aware, and I’ve discovered how self-awareness forms the foundation for healthy self-care routines.

“I don’t like those,” my five-year-old grandson informed me as he looked at the green beans on the serving plate. “I’m allergic to them.”

“O.k.,” I said, trying to hide my grin, “did you want some carrots?”

“I’m not allergic to carrots,” he said, helping himself to a handful of baby carrots.

I set aside my instinct to insist he try a bite of green beans (he has no known food allergies, just a very extensive vocabulary). His parents have wisely let him guide his own food choices. I know he’ll try new foods when he’s ready. We had spent the previous day eating edible flowers at a community garden. He liked the violas the best. Nasturtiums tasted a little spicy for his palate.

When I reflect on my childhood, I don’t remember having the option not to eat foods that didn’t appeal to me. I had to clean my plate. While Pedro and I didn’t go quite that far with our daughters, we did insist they try new foods several times to ensure they didn’t like them.

Our daughters now have their own families, and I can see how the strategy we grew up with and used with our children kept us from becoming self-aware. If adults don’t allow children to make decisions and have preferences, how will they get to know their likes and dislikes?

As I watch my grandson navigate his burgeoning self-awareness, I see a need to spend time becoming self-aware in my own life. Increased self-awareness will help me form the best strategies for effective self-care. How self-aware do you consider yourself? What foods do you wish you could have an ‘allergy’ to?

Building a Storybrand (Rebranded in 2021 as Business Made Simple) podcast.

Lead to Win podcast.

Self-help books I’ve found helpful.

5 Voices: How to Communicate Effectively with Everyone You Lead

Dream Big, by Bob Goff

The Powerful Purpose of Introverts: Why the World Needs You to be You by Holley Gerth

Here’s a post about growth mindset–a companion to self-awareness.

Come back next week when I start a series on parenting. No matter your children’s ages, you can always improve your relationship with them.

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