Questions for those who have never engaged in introspection

Introspection is a useful practice that allows you to look deep into yourself and realize what kind of person you are and what you are striving for. But figuring out where to start can be difficult, especially if you have never resorted to such reflections. Here are five questions that will help you think, determine your needs and desires, and get to know yourself better.

5 questions to begin self-reflection if you have never done so

1. What kind of feeling in your life do you think you’re pursuing?

Take your time answering this question quickly. Better think carefully: what emotion, as a rule, underlies your habits and behavior? What kind of feeling you’re chasing controls everything you do? Let’s give you a hint: as a rule, people are driven by two things — either avoiding pain or pursuing pleasure. Starting the path of self-discovery, you need to figure out your motives and determine precisely what you want.

Perhaps you are trying to feel self-sufficient, chasing the approval and recognition of others. Is your primary goal to feel alive and find something that makes you wake up motivated and in a good mood? Or are you looking for ways to avoid pain every day and do something to feel at least a little better? These are the questions worth answering to yourself.

2. What makes you get out of bed in the morning?

Let’s note right away: a sarcastic note about an alarm clock will not answer this question. Think about it: if you look at it daily, what motivates you to get out of bed in the morning? What excites you in your daily life? You may have a job you go to with joy or friends to communicate with whom you want to open your eyes and rush into the day faster.

Or it could be about the girl you genuinely love and whom you want to see as soon as possible. Try to figure out what motivates you to get up and go every day. In the future, this will help you realize your values and find ways to live up to them.

3. What brings you joy and peace?

We are all different, so our happiness is not the same for everyone. And even if you don’t like your life or the circumstances you find yourself in too much, there will still be at least one small thing that brings you joy and peace of mind. Visit . A F R I N I K . C O M .For the full article .Some find an outlet in going to the gym and hanging out with loved ones; others get a positive charge by staying alone and spending time with their favorite hobbies.

Whatever is the source of your “everyday” joy, write it down in a notebook. Don’t worry if there aren’t too many of these things — it’s better to ask yourself what you could do to enjoy these activities more often. Perhaps such reflection will lead you to thoughts that contribute to positive changes that will improve the quality of your life and help you be at least a little happier.

4. If money didn’t matter, would you still do what you’re doing now?

Imagine what your life would look like if money didn’t exist or you had an unlimited budget to spend on what you like. Think about it: would you do what you are doing now: would you choose your job or, in principle, this field of activity? Would you spend your time the way you are at the moment?

Or would you prefer to do something else that brings more pleasure and makes you feel more confident? Of course, such thoughts are not a reason to quit your job, especially if you can’t afford it yet. But they help you figure out if you’ve chosen the right direction and look at your life from a different angle.

5. Are you meeting your basic needs?

Before considering this question, let’s define “basic needs.” No, it’s not eating or sleeping, as it might seem at first glance, although they are essential. We are talking about mental needs, of which the three most important are autonomy, competence, and relationships.

Autonomy is the feeling that you are in control of your life, that you are an independent and self—sufficient person, and that you can make independent decisions. Competence reflects that you can do your job well, have achieved a high level of knowledge and skills in some area of life, and have also received recognition.

Relationships in this context are considered not just as having a girlfriend or wife in your life but as the ability to form and maintain meaningful connections with other people, as well as awareness of your attractiveness and the ability to give and receive support. Now think about it: do you feel there are enough things to meet these basic needs in your life? For example, work, social circle, daily tasks, and recreation? If you answered “yes” or “no,” do not stop there — reflect on why you think so.

It is also worth considering what life changes could contribute to meeting your basic needs. For example, to increase your competence, you can attend courses and take training, and to “tighten” relationships, try to communicate with different people and spend more time with your loved ones. Autonomy results from the ability to take responsibility and make decisions, skills that can be developed. By realizing what you are missing and what can be improved, you can change your life and make it how you would like it to be.