Tools & Techniques
For me, learning is the greatest tool we have at our disposal—and it's free. With the internet at our fingertips, it's never been easier to expand our knowledge.
Books: I had never picked up a book until 2023. I always had this story about myself that I wasn’t the book-reading type. It wasn’t until I started questioning beliefs I held about myself that I put an end to that story. Through reading books about psychology, mindfulness, and spirituality, I’ve gained insights that have not only shaped my perspective on the outside world but also helped discover who I am as a person.
Podcasts: Listening to podcasts is a great way to consume content and learn. It helps quiet the chatter inside your head by focusing on what’s being discussed. There have been many times when I’ve listened to a podcast and heard something profound. Often, revisiting the same podcast can reveal new insights. We resonate with content on different levels, and over time, we can interpret different messages from the same material.
Journaling: This has probably been the best addition to my self-help repertoire. Similar to book reading, I also told myself I wasn’t a writer. Admittedly, when I first tried to journal, I gave up as I didn’t know what to write and it just felt unnatural. As I stuck with it, though, the easier it became. By simply writing down the thoughts that pop up, you start to uncover things about yourself. Introducing regular journaling into your routine can also help you see what bad habits you have, so you can take the correct action to make changes.
I have also found documentaries, movies, interviews, and even music to be of use. Yoga, sports, creative outlets, or any hobby can really be used as a tool to bring your awareness to the present moment.
Inner work
The process of self-exploration and personal development aimed at understanding and integrating the various aspects of one's inner being. It involves practices that help you become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and unconscious patterns. The goal of inner work is to achieve greater self-awareness, emotional healing, and personal growth. I will list a few.
Meditation: Meditation is the practice of focusing the mind on a particular sensation, thought, or activity to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. This practice has been shown to reduce stress, enhance concentration, and promote emotional health. By setting aside just a few minutes each day for meditation, we can learn to quiet our minds and develop a greater sense of inner peace. There are numerous methods of practicing meditation which I will delve deeper into in the future.
Mindfulness: Mindfulness involves being fully present in the current moment without judgment. This practice encourages us to observe our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. By cultivating mindfulness, we can increase our awareness, reduce stress, and improve our emotional regulation. Simple mindfulness exercises, such as focusing on our breath or engaging in mindful walking, can be easily incorporated into our daily routines.
Therapy and talking: Working with a trained therapist provides professional support and guidance, helping us explore our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Therapy can uncover deep-seated issues and promote healing, offering us tools to navigate life's challenges more effectively. Regular sessions with a therapist can lead to profound personal growth and a better understanding of ourselves. It might take a while to find a therapist that you click with, but don’t get disheartened. Once you find someone you feel comfortable with, it can be highly rewarding.
Shadow Work: A term that evolved from Carl Jung’s theories. It involves exploring and integrating the parts of ourselves that we have repressed or denied. This process can lead to greater self-awareness and personal growth by addressing hidden aspects of our psyche. By confronting our shadow, we can heal past traumas and transform negative patterns into positive attributes.
Gratitude Practice: Regularly acknowledging and appreciating the positive aspects of life through gratitude practice can significantly improve our mood and overall well-being. Keeping a gratitude journal, where we write down things we are thankful for each day, helps shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, fostering a positive mindset.
Creative Expression: Engaging in creative activities like art, music, or writing allows us to express and process our emotions. Creative expression provides an outlet for our feelings and fosters self-discovery. Whether it's painting, playing an instrument, or writing in a journal, these activities can enhance our mood and contribute to our mental well-being.
A combination of these things has promoted positive change in my life, helping me navigate it more freely. Now, I’m not saying you need to do all of these things yourself. You might find only one of them useful, or you might find a few combined work. We are all different, but I encourage you to try these tools and give them a chance. With regular use of these, you can begin your journey of self-discovery.