How To Be More Thoughtful Toward Others Through Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is the ability to be cognizant of your habits, thoughts, and emotions, as well as how others may see you. Many of us may not always see ourselves clearly, and we may not always notice the things we do that may bother others. However, you can take steps to become more aware of how your actions may impact others and treat others more thoughtfully through cultivating self-awareness. In this article, we'll explore three ways to do this and why it can be beneficial to work with a licensed therapist.
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Find your matchUsing self-awareness to be more thoughtful
Here are some ways to become more thoughtful toward others using self-awareness:
Ask others for feedback
Developing self-awareness doesn't have to be something you do on your own. You can enroll friends, family, and co-workers to help you become more self-aware. This can be especially helpful if you don't know what you are doing that may be bothering others. Some things you can try include:
- Because discussions about one's shortcomings can be tense, you could request anonymous feedback if that feels more comfortable.
- Ask a couple of people directly for their feedback. Before you begin, remind them to give critiques only on features you have control over, and you can even request that they offer a suggested solution if possible.
- Ask them to identify the positive attributes they see in you to get a more balanced view of how others perceive you.
Finding the right therapist isn’t just important – it’s everything.
Find your matchPay attention to your interactions
In addition to asking others for their feedback, you can also pay attention to any unspoken feedback people may give during your interactions. If you pay close attention, you may be able to pick up on certain things through their body language and speaking patterns. For example:
- If they seem unusually curt or frustrated in a conversation, you may consider whether there was something you could have said or done that could have prompted that shift.
- If they are fidgeting more than usual or avoiding eye contact, you may consider if you are talking to them at a bad time.
- If they are crossing their arms, turning their back, or walking away from you, it can be that they’re getting defensive or annoyed.
Take steps to become more thoughtful
Once you've received feedback and become more aware of how people around you respond to your behaviors, you can take steps to address them, including:
- Reminding yourself that none of us is perfect, so try to be kind to yourself.
- Using others' feedback as an opportunity for personal growth and stronger connections.
- Tackling one habit at a time and working toward becoming the kind of person you want to be.
- Keeping in mind that you should only work on habits that seem important to you. You don't have to be who everyone else wants you to be.
For help with cultivating self-awareness, addressing bad habits, strengthening relationships, and other concerns, you can talk to a licensed counselor for support. There can be many different dynamics at play that may impact how you treat others and how others perceive you, and research has shown that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions for a range of concerns.
Discussing how others view you and areas you want to improve on can sometimes feel very vulnerable, so it may feel easier to discuss these topics in a space where you feel most comfortable, such as your home. With online therapy, you can speak with your counselor from wherever you have an internet connection, such as the coziest part of your home.
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Takeaway
What is a thoughtful person like?
A thoughtful person is someone who shows a high degree of consideration for the feelings, needs, and well-being of others. They often listen actively to what people say and make an effort to understand and support them, which many people view as extremely thoughtful.
What is an example of being thoughtful?
An example of being thoughtful is remembering and celebrating important dates like anniversaries or birthdays of a loved one. When you remember important dates, it shows that you care about the person and want to celebrate things that are important to them.
What are the actions of a thoughtful person?
A thoughtful person will often act in a manner that enhances the lives of those around them. Actions may include anything from lending an empathetic ear, helping with chores, or simply offering words of appreciation.
Is being thoughtful attractive?
Yes, many thoughtful people are attractive. It often signifies that a person has a lot deeper understanding of emotional intelligence, which many find appealing in a partner or friend.
How self-awareness help me become a kinder and more thoughtful person?
One of the best ways to become more kind and thoughtful is by making a conscious effort to be aware of the needs and feelings of others. A thoughtful person is someone who shows a high degree of consideration for the feelings, needs, and well-being of others. Listen to what they say, be proactive in showing appreciation, and learn how to be thoughtful in day-to-day interactions.
Is it better to be kind or thoughtful?
While kindness is important, being thoughtful adds an additional layer of consideration to your actions. It implies that you’ve taken the time to think about all the things that could impact someone's life, going beyond just the basic act of kindness.
What is thoughtfulness in a relationship?
In a relationship, thoughtfulness usually means consistently considering your partner’s feelings and needs. Whether it’s planning a special date or simply taking the time to listen, being thoughtful means that you value and prioritize your partner’s life and happiness.
What is the value of being thoughtful?
The value of being thoughtful extends beyond personal gains. It has the power to improve relationships, foster a sense of community, and contribute to the overall well-being of those around you. Being a thoughtful friend or partner can enrich your own life in the process.
Is being thoughtful a character trait?
Yes, being thoughtful is generally considered a character trait. It’s something that can be nurtured and developed over time, but some people are instinctively thoughtful, displaying a natural inclination to think about others before themselves.
Why is being self-aware and thoughtful important in a relationship?
Being thoughtful is important in a relationship because it demonstrates that you have consideration for your partner’s feelings and needs. It helps build a strong foundation of trust and appreciation, making your relationship more resilient and fulfilling. Being self-aware allows you to better understand your actions and their impact on your partner, further enhancing the relationship.
Additional questions
What does self-awareness mean?
Self-awareness means understanding your own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It's about recognizing how you react to different situations and how your actions affect others.
Other words for self awareness are self consciousness or self knowledge. There are different types of self awareness. These include objective self awareness (focus on the self as an object of evaluation by others, as described by self awareness theory), self awareness (knowledge of one’s own emotions and internal state, along with self reflection), and public self awareness (a person's ability to be aware of how others perceive you, as if in third person, and know what is socially acceptable or socially wrong). Most people use internal standards, or their own beliefs, values, and expectations, to evaluate themselves.
Tasha Eurich, an organizational psychologist with the Eurich Group, explains why self-awareness is important in an NIH Record article. Eurich has published many articles in both the mainstream and academic press.
Researchers did a study on self-awareness with human infants, to investigate their growing brain and mental capacities, in which they placed a red dot on a baby’s nose and placed them in front of a mirror to see if they would realize they were seeing an image of themselves. They demonstrated self recognition, recognizing the red dot on their nose based on their own reflection, by touching their own nose instead of the mirror.
How can self-awareness help you improve yourself?
Self-awareness helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses. By understanding these, you can work on improving your skills and behaviors, leading to personal growth. It can also help you improve your mental health and self perception by increasing awareness of negative thoughts and focusing on self compassion, self confidence, and self acceptance.
How can you become self-aware?
To become self-aware, pay attention to your actions and emotions. Writing your thoughts down, getting honest feedback, and practicing mindfulness can help you see things more clearly. A self awareness training course can also lead to increased self awareness. Practicing meditation can also help you bring greater awareness to the present moment when you focus on what’s happening with your physical sensations and mental processes.
How do you demonstrate self-awareness?
You show self-awareness when you recognize your emotions, own your actions, and make adjustments based on how you affect those around you. Self aware people understand their motivations and reactions and the importance of how their actions can affect others.
Why is self-awareness important for personal growth?
Self-awareness is important for personal growth because it helps you understand yourself better. This understanding allows you to make positive changes and develop healthier relationships and experience less anxiety. People tend to become more self aware with age, as they’ve experienced certain situations and challenges in their lives.
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