August 23, 2021

Below is a lesson from mindful.org on the link between mindfulness and a stronger sense of self, as well as our key learnings.

The Blue Courage team is dedicated to continual learning and growth.  We have adopted a concept from Simon Sinek’s Start With Why team called “Learn, Share, Grow”.  We are constantly finding great articles, videos, and readings that have so much learning.  As we learn new and great things, this new knowledge should be shared for everyone to then grow from.

Do Mindful People Have a Stronger Sense of Self?

Mindful people might be happier because they cultivate non-judgmental awareness of their thoughts, which allows them to better understand who they really are, suggests a new study.

• BY KIRA M. NEWMAN

We all experience moments of self-doubt. Maybe we’re faced with a choice that leaves us confused about what we want; a conversation where we feel inauthentic and disconnected; or a mistake that makes us question who we are deep down.

The antidote to this internal conflict is a strong sense of self, what researchers call “self-concept clarity.” When we know who we are, we experience greater self-esteem and independence. That helps us cultivate better relationships and a sense of purpose in life.

But where does this inner confidence come from? In the past, that’s largely been a mystery to psychologists. But a recent study provides a clue: It may partly stem from the non-judgmental awareness that is mindfulness.

Continue Reading Here.

Key Learnings:

• Stronger sense of self, what researchers call “self-concept clarity” - when we know who we are we experience greater self-esteem and independence. That cultivates better relationship and a sense of purpose in life.
• Where inner confidence comes from - May partly come from the non-judgemental awareness that is mindfulness.
• University of Utah researchers studied over 1,000 undergraduate students around three traits: mindfulness, self-concept clarity, and well-being. Results showed that more mindful students reported higher well-being - and that a stronger sense of self partly accounted for that link.
• Students who were more non-judgemental about their thoughts and feelings tended to report a particularly clear sense of self.
• If we do not expect to beat ourselves up for our flaws, we may be more willing to take a clear look in the mirror.
• Besides reducing the uncertainty and conflict of self-doubt, mindfulness and a strong sense of self may allow us to confidently pursue the goals and relationships that are most authentically important to us.
• If mindful people notice change and improvement in themselves, they can shed ingrained beliefs that are no longer true.
• The study does not prove that mindfulness causes us to develop a stronger sense of self, but it does show a link between “trait mindfulness,” well-being, and sense of self.