When I look in a mirror, I see my reflection. I find that my attitude about looking at my reflection varies from day to day and sometimes even moment to moment. There are times where I love what I see and other times I’m mortified because I see something that needs some serious attention. Sometimes I don’t even want to look in the mirror. Can you relate? 

Reflection seems to be very popular at the beginning of the year or the end of a season. 

Let me encourage you to keep reflecting. I am not crazy and I’m not the only one. If you look at the planners that are out there, so many have a place to reflect on your day, week, month, or even your year (insert Friends theme song).

Why is this so important? Especially when you see so many inspirational quotes out there talking about looking forward and stop looking back. Is it important to look back? I truly believe so and here’s why:

Self-awareness

In a world where the idea of emotional intelligence is gaining more ground, self-awareness is key. Dr. Tasha Eurich in her book “Insight: The Surprising Truth About How Others See Us, How We See Ourselves, and Why the Answers Matter More Than We Think” says, “Self-Awareness is the meta-skill of the 21st Century!” What does this mean? It means it is so important to ask yourself the hard questions. What did I do that worked? What did I do that didn’t work? How am I being perceived? What do I need to change? This is just the tip of the iceberg of self-awareness, but reflecting is where it starts.

Sanity

No one wants to go insane. We’ve all heard the idea that insanity happens if you do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. Reflection is so important here because if you don’t look at what you’ve done and how you’ve done it, you can’t make the necessary changes. If you don’t look back, it is so easy to do what you’ve always done because what you’ve always done feels more comfortable. Looking back allows you to make the changes that need to happen to change the outcome.

Good stuff

It is so important to look at the good things. Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in the bad and we don’t look at the good things that have happened. When you reflect on your life now compared to a year ago, do you see growth? Did you get to do things you wanted to do? Grow relationships? Create memories? Sometimes I have to ask myself these specific questions to see all the good that has happened. On my Passion Planner there is a spot on each week labeled “Good things that happened.” My coach always starts our sessions with a good news check-in. My facebook group has some of the most engagement when I ask for good news. Why? We are wired for negativity. It is so important to be intentional about reflecting on the good. It can change mindset in an instant.

Your Story

Your past is part of your story and therefore part of who you are. Your story is a beautiful thing. Even if parts are not. Brene Brown says in her book The Gifts of Imperfection that “story tells us who you are, where you came from, and what you’re up against.” Reflecting is looking at your story. Is it always comfortable? I can say with certainty that the answer is a big, fat NO! But my story is what brought me to the place I am now. And I get to add on to it every single day. So do you. There is power in knowing your story. You cannot know your story without reflection.

You can categorize reflection as good or bad. But truth be told, reflection states what is. Sometimes is difficult to face. Sometimes you need someone else to hold up the mirror, like a good friend or a life coach. Sometimes it shows challenges, sometimes is shows beauty, and most times it shows both. But you won’t know unless you look.