There are so many layers and corners of the psyche that one works to uncover as we journey through life, learning more each day about what makes us…us.  

However, 

Hardly ever are we blessed with a clear cut structure for acquiring these teachings, or given pointers on how to better understand ourselves. More often than not we learn about ourselves through trial-and-error, Taking two steps forward and one step back.

Today we’re bringing you our small take on some layers of the psyche, painting you a picture of the magic that goes into creating the best you. For all those lost and wandering, here’s one to get a better grip on your climb back into a position of control.

 Self- Awareness, Self-Regulation and Self-consciousness, all very important but often overlooked, we believe that having a clear understanding on what these three are and how they are closely tied together can enable any person to work towards better structure and order in their inner and outer worlds, and aid them to sail through the chaotic unknown with better ease and control.

So let’s get it.

SELF-AWARENESS

To be aware is to be informed, to have knowledge about, and to be observant of a particular thing or environment. To be Self-aware means having a perception of yourself in the present moment, in the truest light possible that matches up your present behaviour(s) with your core values, motivations and beliefs. This is being able to look at both your weakness, faults and shortcomings, together with your strengths, achievements and highest moments, and seeing whether they align with the standards you set and maintain for yourself.

Self-awareness also has to do with your external environment as well, concerning your interactions with other people. This means being able to read how people view you and the role you play in those relationships you are a part of. For instance, as you go about your day to day and notice how the people you are involved with react or receive your different actions, and upon reflecting, see whether this was your desired outcome or something you could have never anticipated.  

Being able to see yourself and your surroundings and acting accordingly is what it’s all about. 

SELF-REGULATION

To regulate is to control something according to a set of rules. Self-regulation has to do with your ability to manage yourself. Your triggers, responses and reactions. At its peak this means having a firm grip on your behaviour, actions and emotions in every walk of life.

This is a skill few are aware of and even fewer consciously practice. This requires you to learn and work hard towards perfecting self-control. It calls on you to get your emotions in check and not the other way around, to not be swayed by a constantly changing environment and stick to your guns even when the sweet words of the world are doing the most to get you to slip up. Self-regulation means being aware of all the things that could make you go left and still choosing to go right, ignoring all the impulses and thoughts, any ideas that could falter your efforts to achieve your goals, both short and long term.

To have self-control and the ability to self-regulate is a great character trait to have. It shows a strong character; you are steadfast in your decisions and not easily moved by the people or things around you. 

SELF-CONSCIOUS

Aligned with self-awareness, to be self-conscious basically means to know where one begins and ends. Self-consciousness involves making sense of yourself (your actions and appearance), the world around us and where we fit into it, understanding the rules, standards and goals of the world and societies and judging for ourselves where and how we fit into this broader scheme of things. This concept is deeply embedded in emotions as it has everything to do with how we feel concerning the different events and processes in and around our lives.

There are the ‘Private’ and ‘Public’ spheres of self-consciousness. 

The ‘Private’ is solely concerned with the feelings and thoughts we have about ourselves, both positive and negative. We see this in ourselves when we think about whether we are fat or thin, if we’re in a good career or stuck in a bad end job, are we achieving our goals or stagnant in our progress, and often involves us comparing and contrasting our lives with those of others, guided by our feelings, good or bad, in those situations and whether they align with our standards of what we want out of life. Blessed with this mechanism we can see where we stand and figure out where to put in the work to get to a better position on how we see ourselves and the life we live.

The ‘Public’ is more fixated with our singular role in the society we live in and the people around us. This is what makes us feel like we are on stage, often trying our best to look and act like the best versions of ourselves and look like ‘stars’ in the eyes of others. Our public consciousness is informed by the world wide experience, the rules, norms and values in place and what they mean for us. This is that part of you that has political views, an opinion on climate change or even engages in campaigns to fight social injustice around the world. Public consciousness is that part of us that feels inclined to keep up with society.

 It basically has to do with the different occurrences around the world and how we relate to them.

There are so many things physical and abstract that go into the making of a human being. We could probably finish all our data talking about it. Many of us aren’t well versed concerning the many things that go on inside us and that’s why we work hard, to try and fill in the gaps and help steer you in the right direction to get a better vantage point of your life.

‍