How can I recognize myself more effectively What knowledge can contribute to self-awareness

The question is posed in a simple and direct way, with clear logic.

Since the ancient wise men like Socrates, the topic of "Know Thyself" has always attracted those who are curious about themselves and don't want to follow the masses blindly.

By the time I saw this question, a number of you had already given succinct and comprehensive knowledge of psychology, and this part is crucial, so I won't repeat what people have mentioned.

I'd like to get other perspectives, such as

The self is the unique existence that distinguishes us from others. If "others are hell", then the self may be our "safe haven".

The self can be categorized as "The inner self"and"The Outer Me".

The two are both distinct and closely related.

When we were born, "I" was the world.

With the involvement of the primary caregiver, usually the mother (hereinafter referred to collectively as "the mother" for convenience), the "I" begins to incorporate the influence of the mother. The way our mother treats us and interacts with us subtly shapes the formation of the "I".

As I grew older, other important people and social environments slowly joined in, sculpting "me".

As a result, we gradually develop a "sense of self".

The "inner me" is centered on biological foundations such as innate temperament and way of thinking, and is shaped by external influences of others and socio-cultural influences;

The "outer me" is more of an image presented to the outside world by social expectations and the idealized requirements of the "inner me".

There are very many theories about self-perception in psychology, such as personality theory in general psychology, cognitive developmental theory in developmental psychology, Johari Window in social psychology, and psychoanalysis and object relations theory in counseling psychology, all of which involve self-perception ...... My friends have already covered it more comprehensively, so I won't go into details.

Questions 3 and 4, in essence, want to know:

They have a recursive relationship, so I combined the answers.

Based on my life experience and counseling practice, there are a few practical ways to do this:

I. Keeping a diary

As someone who has been keeping a journal for 20 years and is still going strong, I think journaling is one of the great ways to get to know and improve yourself.

Journaling is not just about recording daily events, but also about writing down your thoughts, feelings and emotions. By writing about inner changes, we can learn more about ourselves.

II. Practicing positive thinking, meditation or internal observation

All of these methods enhance awareness of the outside world and the self by focusing on the breath.

Positive thinking not only enhances self-awareness, but also relieves anxiety and improves sleep. You can start with a short positive breathing session to feel calm and recognize your self in deep breaths.

III. Try a little self-care exercise

If you want to know more about yourself, you can do some fill-in-the-blank exercises, such as describing "I" with adjectives, to deepen your self-knowledge through free association;

You can also ask friends and family to hear their version of "me", which may give you new insights.

You can also look back at your life history and think about how your life, school, work and emotions have changed over the course of your life.

For the negative aspects, change takes time and the key is acceptance before reconciliation, which is recommended in the company of a professional counselor.

I hope the above discussion about the self has inspired you.

Good luck.