Hi Ladies, Happy Women's month! 💜
I’m glad you are here, got your drink ready? Great, let’s get started.
This month we are celebrating the immense strength and beauty of being a woman. We are not only resilient when overcoming life’s challenges, but we are also forces of change. With courage and confidence, we continue to evolve, shaping the world as we grow.
This week, our featured guest shares with us some insights while breaking down self-awareness. You will also find a few tips to accompany you on your journey to help you connect with your power.
Women’s day will be on Saturday, March 8th, and to celebrate, I will be listening to my “empower her” playlist which I am also sharing with you.
So let's raise a glass, to bold women, our everyday heroes. At Sipping With Her, we rise, inspire, and transform the world together, one sip at a time!
Cheers, 🥂
Mindrid
Personal Self-Care 🪻
One small habit to practice and that can be incorporated into daily routines is setting intentions. You can do this at the start of your day or before going to bed. Set meaningful intentions to help you navigate daily life. This simple practice can help you connect with your personal power, shift your focus, and create a big impact on your overall well-being.
Financial Self-Care 💸
Your Money, Your Power! Create a simple budget that aligns with your values and goals. Track your spending, if possible, save a small percentage each month, and set financial intentions. Knowing where your money is going gives you the power to make mindful decisions. Remember, your money is a tool, and by managing it with intention, you empower yourself to live the life you want.
Verse Spotlight 🎙️
Preoccupied Mind by Mary Elizabeth - Video credit: @maryelizabeth_501
Breaking Down Self-Awareness
Defining Self Awareness
Self-awareness is the ability to perceive, recognize and understand your own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is the awareness of how you navigate in the world, how you believe you are perceived by others, how you perceive yourself, and how your actions affect not only yourself but others around you. It involves being aware of your strengths, weaknesses, values and motivations.
How does self-awareness differ from self-consciousness or introspection?
In the past, the terms self-awareness and self-consciousness were synonyms of each other but as the English Language has evolved they both mean different things.
Self-consciousness is the state of being overly aware of how others perceive our appearance, personality, and actions. This preoccupation often prevents us from fully embracing our individuality out of fear of judgment. At some level, we all experience a degree of narcissism, believing the world revolves around us. A simple example is when we see a group photo—the first person we look for is ourselves, not our friends.
In psychology, the spotlight effect refers to a cognitive bias that makes us feel more noticed than we actually are. Since childhood, we’ve contended with this illusion, yet in reality, most people are too absorbed in their own lives to dwell on our outfit choices or blue eyeliner.
A heightened sense of self-consciousness is often associated with introversion, where individuals spend significant time examining their own thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This process, known as introspection, can be a valuable tool for self-awareness and growth. However, balance is key. Without time for solitude, we risk losing our own inner voice; without engagement with others, we miss out on valuable feedback. Striking a balance between self-reflection and external experience is essential for personal development.
How can someone distinguish between healthy self-reflection and unproductive self-criticism?
Healthy self-reflection and unproductive self-criticism differ in intent, tone, and outcome. Self-reflection is growth-oriented, compassionate, and solution-focused, helping you learn from mistakes and improve. It acknowledges imperfections without judgment, fostering self-awareness and motivation. In contrast, self-criticism is harsh, rooted in shame or perfectionism, and often leads to self-doubt and stagnation. While self-reflection asks, “What can I learn from this?” self-criticism says, “I’m not good enough.” To shift from self-criticism to self-reflection, reframe mistakes as learning opportunities, speak to yourself with kindness, challenge negative thoughts, focus on solutions, and practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with the same patience and understanding you would offer a friend, recognizing that mistakes are part of growth.
“You will find therefore, that if you get with reality, all thoughts of illusions disappear.” –Alan Watts
What are some practical exercises or techniques people can use to improve their self-awareness?
Practice of meditation: I strongly recommend practicing the Dharana (Sanskrit word for “concentration”) which is practicing focused meditation originating from Hindu and Buddhist meditation practices. Get yourself in a safe and quiet space. Sit down on a yoga mat, carpet or bed and focus on one thing for as long as you can. Once you feel your awareness wandering away, bring it back to the object. Your object of choice can be as simple as breath, a picture, a bowl, listening to something, anything. This is only one of many meditation practices. Have fun!
Journaling: Two hours before bed, journal what is the one thing you’re grateful for, one thing that caused stress or anxiety and one win for the day.
Reframe mistakes: Practicing reframing mistakes as learning opportunities. Mistakes are a step closer to the outcome you want to achieve.
Practice self-compassion: Remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes and that the only thing that is different between you and the expert is that they have failed more than you.
Focus on growth: Growth goes hand in hand with stepping out of our comfort zones. Growth is the same as healing. Painful but worth it.
What advice would you give someone who is just starting their journey of self-discovery and wants to become more self-aware?
Embarking on a journey of self-discovery and self-awareness is both exciting and transformative. To begin, practice mindfulness by observing your thoughts, emotions, and reactions without judgment. Set aside time for introspection, asking yourself meaningful questions about your values, joys, and challenges—journaling can help bring clarity. Seek honest feedback from trusted friends or mentors, as they may offer insights you might not see yourself. Challenge your assumptions and question whether your thoughts are based on facts or ingrained habits. Embrace discomfort, as self-awareness can reveal difficult truths, but these moments of unease often lead to the most growth. Pay attention to your emotional reactions, as strong emotions can uncover deeper beliefs or past experiences shaping your behavior. Explore new perspectives through books, podcasts, or conversations that challenge your worldview. Most importantly, take action—self-awareness without change leads to stagnation. Experiment, try new things, and reflect on how they shape your understanding of yourself. Lastly, be patient and kind to yourself. Self-discovery is a lifelong process, and growth happens gradually. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer a close friend.
Empower Her Playlist 🎵
The Good Report ✨
Politics: Foreign Service Officer, Seidi Quetzal, the first Belizean recipient of the President of the General Assembly Fellowship at the UN Headquarters.
Mark Your Calendar 🗓️
Art Exhibition: Women in Art Exhibit opens in Dangriga on Saturday, 8th March from 2.30 -5.00 pm at the Pen Cayetano Studio Gallery.
Exercise Program: Love Your HEART Belmopan Exercise Program on 17th March, from 5:30-6:30 pm at the Belmopan Civic Center.
Women in Art: Women in Art 2025 Exhibit opens at The Bliss Centre on 27th March, at 7:00 p.m.
Duo Painting Session: Women in Art presents Duo Painting Session in collaboration with artist Gayla at The Bliss Centre on 28th March, at 7:30 p.m.
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