Self-Awareness Is Worth It

There was a time when I didn't fully recognize how my energy affected those around me, especially my daughters. I would push through exhaustion, dismiss my frustration as just part of the day, and brush aside any signs that I needed to reset. Deepening my self-awareness changed everything,

I am trained as a mindfulness educator, and mindfulness practices are one way to build self-awareness. Many of us know that we are self-aware, and as I finished my training, I was proud to say that I was more aware. However, there is no destination when it comes to building self-awareness. It is an ongoing journey. Once I felt comfortable meditating and integrating mindfulness practices into my daily life, I expected to have complete control over my reactions. Yet, I still found myself responding in ways that didn't align with how I wanted to show up. How could that be? I am a wellbeing professional!

The more I leaned into self-awareness, the clearer the patterns became. I started paying attention to my reactions, my tone, my energy, and my ability to stay present. Interacting with my daughters became my way to measure my awareness. I asked myself tough questions: Am I truly listening? Am I responding with patience and understanding? Or am I letting my own depletion spill over into our interaction?

When I was centered, my daughters felt it. They opened up more, sought connection, and our home felt lighter. When I was drained, my responses were shorter, my patience thinner, and I could sense their reactions shifting in response.

That realization pushed me to take action. I made a commitment to communicate with them when I wasn't feeling like myself. Instead of letting a bad day create unnecessary tension, I would say, "I'm feeling off today. It is not about you, I just need a little time to recharge."  Those words, simple as they are, created a bridge of understanding.

Now, my daughters have become my energy meter. They reflect back to me how I am showing up, and I have learned to use that reflection as a guide. When I see that I am more reactive than responsive, I know it is time to reset, whether that means stepping away for a quiet moment, taking deep breaths, or intentionally carving out time to rest. 

This shift hasn't just helped me, it has strengthened our relationship. My daughters see that self-awareness isn't about perfection; it is about honesty, growth, and taking care of yourself so you can be fully present for the people you love.

Recognizing when I need to recharge has made me a better parent, a more mindful communicator, and a more compassionate version of myself. And for that, I am endlessly grateful. 

How do you recognize when it is time to recharge?
Share in the comments.