Can You Over Self Reflect?

Why is self-reflection helpful? Why does one self-reflect?  What can be learned from self-reflection? Can someone reflect on one’s Self too much? What can be gained through observing oneself?  What can I learn from self-observation? How do I balance self-reflection with experiencing life?

The tool of self-reflection and self-observation is necessary to re-discover ourselves as individuals, as well as understand our part of the greater collective. In everything in life, we must know how to create balance, in regards to self-reflection, finding the balance between going deeper within and still being present in our physical human experiences.  

Most of us can agree that we are currently immersed in a human experience.  In this experience of life, many people struggle with defining their “purpose.”  This is a common question, “What is my purpose?” In this quest to realize and self-actualize our “life purpose,” we can become entangled within our mental puzzlings as we continue our dive into the rabbit hole of what it means to know thy Self.  

Within life, we experience constant ebbs and flows, and it is these same cycles of currents that can influence our levels of need to focus on specific areas at any given time.  In these cycles, we may experience a time that requires us to hold more space for self-discovery, and at other times we share an uninhibited connection with our physical being and the experiences elicited in response to our physical senses.  In these cycles, our focus is held by the experiences at hand, internal or external.  However, when attempting to create balance within these cycles, it is important to maintain connection and take care of the physical, the mental, the emotional, the spiritual, and the shadow; each of these areas requires care and attention to assist in maintaining equilibrium. 

So, can even your energy & time spent on self-reflection become out of balance? 

At times, yes, it is possible. Sometimes, it is necessary to spend more time & energy on self-reflection.  We go through periods where we experience a desire, or may even feel required in a sense, to spend more time & energy on self-reflection, self-evaluation, & self-observation. Sometimes these cycles or periods are filled with the purpose of shadow work, other times (hopefully this is more often) we are spending time reconnecting with and being in our energy, which, in itself is re-energizing. Without time spent observing the self with relation to the work the shadow brings forward, healing these shadow aspects becomes slowed or delayed. You must take time to observe, to learn current patterns & programs, to know what needs to be de- & re-programmed and healed.  Without true observation, we only see partial truths, and partial wounds, thus receiving partial, & incomplete healing. 

In looking at any one thing, we can find potential negative effects of maintaining it at an out-of-balance state, which can potentially create imbalances in other areas. For a basic example, let’s take salt.  Salt is an important compound within our body.  In low states, called hyponatremia, we can experience headaches, nausea, comas, and even death.  It’s very important to our human life!  But, when we chronically consume too much salt in our diets, we can also experience extreme negatives like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Even in acute circumstances of extreme salt intake, the impact of the imbalance could be severe.

What I’m trying to say is, that too much of a good thing can still be too much; it can become toxic. 

So how do we determine if we are doing self-reflection too much?  Ironically, it lies within another moment of self-reflection.  How much of your day is spent in this space? Are other areas of your existence lacking attention? Or even suffering? Are you struggling or feeling stagnant in your efforts to reach the other side of the shadow? Are you feeling overwhelmed, confused, or maybe lost within the different thoughts and interactions within your mind? Or is this time spent leading you forward in life? Are you furthering your growth? Are you feeling old wounds & traumas healing? Is your self-love continuing to expand in different perspectives? Are you feeling more connected with the joy that is the very essence of you?  

So, to answer (or not answer) the question, can you spend too much time in self-reflection? Yes and no. When we listen to the needs spoken to us by the different parts of our being, spirit, body, and mind, we can learn to hold space and care for each of them. With consistent practice of holistic self-care, when we experience times when one area requires more attention, we are better able to overcome our hurdles and stay grounded and centered in love and compassion.

Moments of self-reflection can guide us in making many decisions. We have so much innate knowledge within the depths of ourselves, that many of us have learned how to ignore these intuitive prompts, and when we practice these check-ins and listen, things can feel as though they begin to move with more ease in our lives.  Not all of the time spent in self-reflection is long, but most of the time it’s actually relatively brief. 

Self-study is VERY important but no more important than having experiences & being physical. Without the physical experiences, we have nothing to observe. 

Love always,

Karista