Definition of

Introspection

Head

Introspection involves "looking" at yourself.

The Latin word introspicĕre , which can be translated as "look within" , derived in late Latin into introspectio . From there comes the concept of introspection , which refers to the look that an individual directs towards himself .

Through introspection, therefore, a person orients himself to his mood, his thoughts or his actions. It is an internal inspection that allows the subject to know themselves better, analyzing themselves to interpret their own emotions and ideas.

Introspection is linked to reflection and meditation . The notion has been debated throughout history by philosophy and psychology .

How introspection arises

At a general level it can be said that introspection arises from the reflective capacity of the mind , which allows it to be aware of its own states . The past and present can be protagonists of the introspective act, which helps to understand experiences and influence individual reality.

The introspective method is the basis of various schools of psychology . This procedure leads the person to concentrate on their own mental processes and contents; Then you must verbalize the thought in the most objective way possible so that the psychologist can help interpret it.

Introspection, in short, is a way to identify and perceive one's thoughts . It contributes to self-knowledge thanks to the fact that the subject unfolds and is an observer of the reality that he or she constructs.

Look

Introspection can be linked to self-perception.

Practice in everyday life

In everyday practice, introspection consists of reflecting in depth on one's actions, ideas, emotions and feelings, in such a way that it is possible to detect what is positive or good and thus guide behavior in that sense.

Since the exercise of introspection is so beneficial for putting our lives in balance , below we will see some tips from those who have the most experience in this field. The first step towards introspection is choosing the right time and place . It is about that space in which no one can bother or interrupt us, and about that time of day in which we know we can relax since we have no obligations ahead of us.

Usefulness of introspection

Introspection should serve to free us , and that is why we must move away from all oppression to put it into practice. Furthermore, it is important to highlight that if it is not part of a genuine initiative, it does not work. Another fundamental point is to look back in order to move forward . In other words, we must study our past through questions that help us understand the causes of our errors, to detect the decisions that have led us to success, the degree of satisfaction that our achievements have produced, and the defects of our character. that we want to change.

Identifying our voids is another great tip to achieve adequate introspection. In this case we talk about those needs that we have not been able to satisfy, the important questions that have been left unanswered and the difficulty in establishing well-defined objectives. To begin to solve our problems, it is recommended to prioritize them taking as a parameter the pain or anguish that each one causes us, and then prioritize those that are most possible to treat.

Self-criticism is a basic part of introspection. We must look at ourselves with courage and without pride, to understand what things we should change. If we deny our mistakes , the exercise will be useless. Of course, this does not mean focusing on guilt, but simply using objectivity to remove what is useless, to eliminate the obstacles that prevent us from moving forward. Finally, the time comes to recognize our virtues , which are the tools with which we can stay afloat and progress.