Practicing What I Preach: A Weekend of Self-Reflection

Author Christine T. 3/16/25

This past weekend was a true test of practicing what I preach. Friday and Saturday, I felt on edge, irritated by every little thing, and, to be honest, I was snappy with people. Sleep had been non-existent for a while, leaving me feeling restless and antsy.

My novice knowledge of horoscopes, I might have blamed it on full moon energy or planetary alignments shifting my emotions. But the truth is, I had to take a step back and acknowledge something important—it wasn’t the universe; it was me.

Owning My Reactions

I started my day frustrated, mentally ready to throw the whole day away. I was waiting for something to set me off, allowing my emotions to control me rather than the other way around. But when I finally sat with myself, I had a realization:

➡ My response was controlling me.
➡ I was reacting instead of being mindful.
➡ I was not being gentle with myself.

I had to take a deep breath and remind myself that some situations are simply out of my control. Instead of allowing external frustrations to dictate my mood, I needed to step outside of myself, shift my perspective, and regulate my response.

Choosing Mindfulness Over Reaction

Once I consciously decided to change my approach, I noticed a difference. I slowed down, focused on my breathing, and took in my environment. I reminded myself that the world does not revolve around me—other people have their own struggles too.

Through this process, I embraced three important lessons:

1️⃣ Be gentle with yourself. Not every day is filled with love and light, and that’s okay. Some days will be tough, and that doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human.

2️⃣ Check your attitude. Recognize when you’re spiraling into frustration and take a moment to recalibrate.

3️⃣ Control what you can—your response. You may not be able to control everything around you, but you can control how you react. Move with intention, not impulse.

Final Thoughts

This weekend reminded me that growth is a daily practice. Some days, you’ll feel aligned and at peace; other days, you’ll be frustrated and impatient. But the key is awareness—catching yourself before you spiral, giving yourself grace, and choosing to respond with coolness instead of contempt.

💡 What’s one way you practice emotional self-awareness?