Self-awareness is a journey with no clear trail, milestones or destination. Which is why it is so hard for us to understand where we are in the process. But today, I don’t want to talk about how to become self-aware. In my opinion, the steepest slope is first getting to the point where we are capable of cultivating awareness within. This cognizance cannot be induced on demand. Nor is it a one-time passage.

This apparent lack of control over initiating an important life change got me thinking on what has helped me in the past to reach a stage of mindfulness. The truth is that this climb happens subconsciously for the most part. But there are things that can catalyse the process.

• Reading books that elevate our thoughts. These can be autobiographies, self-help or creative fiction. I would include blogs here too. (A Learning A Day, Seth’s Blog)
• Listening to podcasts that deliberate and analyse the complex questions in the world, those that don’t have straight cut-out answers. (Hidden Brain by Shankar Vendantam)
• Engaging in conversations that stimulate self-introspection.
• Trying new ventures. There is no right or wrong one here, it’s completely subjective. The only question we need to answer is what it means to us.
• Picking a challenge that attacks deep-seated self-doubts.
• Writing in a journal.
• Travelling.

The list can really go on. These are just some of the things that I have noticed to have an impact on me. It is alright if we try something and it doesn’t work. It just means that either the activity or the time is not right for us. And we move on to the next thing. The scary, but simultaneously, exciting part of this process is that there is no right or wrong step and every successful or failed attempt is just a data point. The underlying theme to take note of in all these activities is that they engage our minds and broaden our thinking to reach a point of mindfulness. And once we reach that stage, we can then embark on our journey of self-awareness.