Only 15% of People are Self-Aware, Does that Include You?

Episode: Starting the Year with Self-Awareness

Introduction

Hello and welcome back to another episode of Celestial Crumbs! I’m your host, Nathalie Bonilla, and as always, Coraline the dog is here with us today, offering her signature emotional comfort and positivity.

First, let me say Happy New Year to all of you amazing listeners. Yes, I know it’s already late January, but this is our first official episode of 2025, so I’m giving us a pass. I do want to share why it took me a little longer to get this out. My son had an accident—don’t worry, he’s okay, and he’s healing well—but it was one of those moments where everything felt like it was up in the air. He needed me more than the podcast did, and even though I felt guilty at first for the delay, I know that prioritizing family and health is what matters most. I’m so grateful for your understanding and grace.

Now, in the spirit of self-growth and setting intentions for the year ahead, I want to dive into a topic that’s foundational for personal development: self-awareness. This concept has been on my mind a lot lately, especially after coming across a startling statistic. Did you know that only about 15% of people are truly self-aware? And yet, over 90% of people think they are! That means most of us aren’t as self-aware as we believe. So today, we’re going to unpack what self-awareness really is, why it’s so important, and how we can all develop it as a skill.

What Is Self-Awareness?

Let’s start with the basics. Self-awareness is the ability to understand your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and how they impact others. It’s also about understanding how others perceive you—how you show up in the world. So, it’s really a two-sided coin: there’s internal self-awareness and external self-awareness.

Internal self-awareness is all about knowing your own values, passions, beliefs, and emotions. It’s that inner dialogue we have with ourselves. For example, if you’re feeling sad, internal self-awareness helps you identify the emotion and understand what you might need to feel better. It’s like being in tune with your inner compass.

External self-awareness, on the other hand, is understanding how others perceive you. This includes how your actions and behaviors impact those around you. It’s about being empathetic and connecting with others on a deeper level. When we’re externally self-aware, we can better navigate relationships and communication.

Why Self-Awareness Matters

So, why does this matter? First, let’s acknowledge the struggles that come with a lack of self-awareness. Someone who has low internal and external self-awareness might feel lost or stuck in life. They don’t know what they believe or want, and they’re also unsure of how others perceive them.

Now, here’s where things get interesting: Even people who seem confident can struggle with self-awareness. For example, leaders who have low external self-awareness might dismiss feedback or believe they know everything. On the flip side, people with low internal awareness might fall into people-pleasing behaviors, always prioritizing others while neglecting their own values and needs.

But here’s the good news: High self-awareness can improve nearly every aspect of life. Research shows that people with higher internal awareness report greater satisfaction in their jobs and relationships. It’s also linked to lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. When we’re self-aware, we make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and grow in our careers. And the best part? It’s a skill we can develop.

How to Improve Self-Awareness

Now, let’s talk about how we can actually work on this. There are some great practices to improve both internal and external self-awareness:

1. Journaling: Set aside time to reflect on your day. Write down what you felt, what you did, and what patterns you notice over time. Journaling helps you engage with your thoughts and emotions without judgment.

2. Mindfulness: This doesn’t have to be complicated. Even taking a few moments to sit quietly and notice your thoughts can help. Mindfulness teaches you to be present and observe yourself with curiosity instead of criticism.

3. Seek Feedback: Ask trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors for honest insights. How do they perceive you? What are your strengths? Where might you grow? The key is to listen without defensiveness—feedback is a gift for growth.

4. Therapy or Coaching: Sometimes, having a professional guide can make all the difference. They can help you unpack patterns you might not notice on your own.

5. Meditation: This helps you connect with your inner world and recognize emotional triggers. Over time, it builds resilience and emotional balance.

Self-Awareness Is a Journey

One thing I want to emphasize is that self-awareness isn’t something you achieve once and then check off your to-do list. It evolves with you. As we grow and face new challenges, our self-awareness deepens. It’s a lifelong practice, and that’s part of what makes it so powerful.

If you’re someone who struggles with people-pleasing, this is your reminder that practicing self-awareness and setting boundaries isn’t selfish. It’s essential for your growth and for creating healthier relationships.

Wrapping Up

So, as we step into 2025, I want to encourage each of you to take one small step toward improving your self-awareness. Whether it’s journaling, asking for feedback, or practicing mindfulness, every step counts.

And if you’re looking for more tools to master habits and motivation, I want to invite you to check out my Substack, The Motivation Method. It’s packed with practical advice and strategies to help you grow personally and professionally.

Thank you for joining me on this journey, and thank you for the grace you’ve shown as I navigate my own. I’ll see you next time on Celestial Crumbs! Take care and keep growing.