I'm on a journey to becoming self-aware, and I've discovered how self-awareness forms the foundation for healthy self-care routines. #selfaware #selfawareness #selfcare #selfcarehacks #podcast #knowyourself #extrovert #introvert #bekindtoyourself

I’m on a journey to becoming self-aware, and I’ve discovered how self-awareness forms the foundation for healthy self-care routines.

The Process of Becoming Self-Aware isn’t Natural

“I don’t like those,” my five-year-old grandson informed me as he looked at the green beans on the serving plate. “I’m allergic to them.”

“O.k.,” I said, trying to hide my grin, “did you want some carrots?”

“I’m not allergic to carrots,” he said, helping himself to a handful of baby carrots.

I set aside my instinct to insist he try a bite of green beans (he has no known food allergies, just a very extensive vocabulary). His parents have wisely let him guide his own food choices. I know he’ll try new foods when he’s ready. We had spent the previous day eating edible flowers at a community garden. He liked the violas the best. Nasturtiums tasted a little spicy for his palate.

When I reflect on my childhood, I don’t remember having the option not to eat foods that didn’t appeal to me. I had to clean my plate. While Pedro and I didn’t go quite that far with our daughters, we did insist they try new foods several times to ensure they didn’t like them.

Our daughters now have their own families, and I can see how the strategy we grew up with and used with our children kept us from becoming self-aware. If adults don’t allow children to make decisions and have preferences, how will they get to know their likes and dislikes?

As I watch my grandson navigate his burgeoning self-awareness, I see a need to spend time becoming self-aware in my own life. Increased self-awareness will help me form the best strategies for effective self-care. How self-aware do you consider yourself? What foods do you wish you could have an ‘allergy’ to?

Show Notes

Building a Storybrand (Rebranded in 2021 as Business Made Simple) podcast.

Lead to Win podcast.

Self-help books I’ve found helpful.

5 Voices: How to Communicate Effectively with Everyone You Lead

Dream Big, by Bob Goff

The Powerful Purpose of Introverts: Why the World Needs You to be You by Holley Gerth

Here’s a post about growth mindset–a companion to self-awareness.

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11 Comments

  1. Unfortunately, my mother didn’t teach me to experiment with a variety of foods (although I was happy about it at the time!). I remember on spaghetti night, she would cook a hot dog for me. lol. Fortunately I have expanded my tastes quite a bit since then (and I now love spaghetti). 🙂 Thanks for sharing Julie’s post on Debbie’s blog. I just visited there and enjoyed what she had to share.
    Lisa notes recently posted…Romans 8:39 – Memory Verse for July 24-30, 2022My Profile

  2. I would happily have a pea allergy! UGH! However, I do have the Alpha-Gal meat allergy caused by the lonestar tick bite! My numbers are getting better and I can eat beef much better than I can pork (not supposed to eat any meat from an animal with a hoof). I’ve never had to use an epi-pen yet, but I’ve been close once!

  3. Self awareness is so important! I never thought of it in terms of food choices as children though. That is a brilliant way to illustrate the importance of self awareness. I remember being forced to eat a giant pile of sauerkraut when I was 4 years old. I am still traumatized by that! Just the smell of the stuff can flash me back to that horrible moment in life trying to choke down that nasty stuff so I wouldn’t get in trouble. Oh, and liver. I was forced to eat liver on a weekly basis. The word itself makes me sick! I just wrote a mental health post that talks a bit about self awareness so I will link it here. Thanks for another thought provoking topic!

    Shelbee

  4. I think I know myself pretty well, however, I’m sure there are some things I should learn! Each day we should ask the Lord to open our hearts and minds to what He wants to teach us… whether it be a behavior He wants to be changed or something He wants to add to our skill-set. Just this morning I was praying for wisdom as I know I sure need it! LOL
    Blessings, Joan

  5. I’ll be listening to your podcast on the drive to work today. I very much disliked peas, yet my mother still insisted on putting on my plate. Now as an adult, I do like peas! I think it is about giving the choices even when we “say” we don’t like something. Often we can miss out because of our own pre-judgements from what we “think” rather than what we will experience if we give it a try, I find!

  6. Hi Anita,
    Your grandson is a creative little guy! His comment made me smile. 🙂
    I had no choices growing up–including those regarding food.

    When my children were little, I tried to provide two vegetable options when serving a new item. While I wanted them to give the vegie a try, they could choose to eat the more agreeable, child-friendly item if the new option didn’t appeal.

    I did offer the “new” choice several times, though, since research does indicate repetition is an important part of acquisition for children. Sometimes, they just didn’t like what I offered. (My seventeen year old daughter still refuses to eat mushrooms. )

    Blessings,
    Tammy

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Anita Ojeda

Anita Ojeda juggles writing with teaching high school English and history. When she's not lurking in odd places looking for rare birds, you can find her camping with her kids, adventuring with her husband or mountain biking with her students.

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