Knowing Yourself Better: Looking Inward
Learning Goals:
- Learn new words about understanding ourselves better.
- Talk about different ways to think about our feelings and actions.
- Read about activities that help us know ourselves.
- Listen to someone talk about being more mindful.
- Write about our own experiences with self-reflection.
Key Words:
- Self-awareness: Paying attention to your own thoughts, feelings, and actions.
- Journaling: Writing down your thoughts and feelings in a notebook or diary.
- Meditation: Sitting quietly and focusing on your breath or a single word.
- Mindfulness: Paying attention to what’s happening right now, without judgment.
- Therapy: Talking to a trained professional to help you understand your feelings and problems.
Let’s Talk About It!
- Have you ever tried journaling, meditation, or mindfulness? What was it like?
- Why do you think it’s important to understand our own feelings?
- What are some ways we can learn more about ourselves?
Let’s Read!
Many people find it helpful to keep a journal where they write about their day, their feelings, and their worries. Others like to meditate to quiet their minds and focus on the present moment. Some people see a therapist to help them understand themselves better. All of these are ways to practice self-awareness.
Listen and Learn!
(Teacher plays a short clip of someone explaining what mindfulness is and how it can help us feel calmer and more aware.)
Talk with a Partner!
One of you is feeling stressed or upset about something. The other offers advice using self-reflection techniques.
Example:
- Person 1: “I’m so worried about my exams! I can’t sleep.”
- Person 2: “Maybe you could try journaling about your worries. Sometimes writing things down can help you feel better.”
Homework:
Write a short paragraph about one of the self-reflection techniques we talked about. Have you tried it? Would you like to? Why or why not?
Extra Fun:
Try a short meditation or mindfulness exercise. Sit quietly, close your eyes, and focus on your breath for a few minutes. How do you feel afterward?
