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Self-reflection questions can be one of the best ways to get to know yourself, evaluate your life, and set a plan for a successful future.
If you are hoping to get to know yourself better, these 100 self-reflection questions to ask yourself might be just perfect for you.
What is Self-Reflection?
Ah… self-reflection.
We see it, read it, and hear it all the time these days… what REALLY is self-reflection?
Self-reflection is the process of getting to know yourself internally. It is getting comfortable with understanding the workings of your thoughts, wants, desires, and mind overall.
It is normal to get comfortable with your external reflection. You know what you look like and who you are physically.
Light hair or dark? Blue eyes or brown? Long hair or short?
These are all things we know about ourselves. But self-reflection is the process of getting to know yourself internally. Often, this is a more difficult thing to do… which is why guiding self-reflection questions can be so helpful.
What are Self-Reflection Questions?
In short, self-reflection questions are a form of guidance to help you achieve knowledge about your inner self. Self-reflection questions can cover many different aspects and topics in your life. Overall, self-reflection questions can be defined by the need to look inward.
Sometimes self-reflection questions can be uncomfortable. As you explore new areas of your mind, uncomfortable thoughts and feelings may come up.
Sometimes self-reflection questions ask you to dive into taking a look at your past, which can be uncomfortable too!
It’s important to push past any discomfort that may arise to get the full benefits of asking yourself reflection questions!
What topics do self-reflection questions cover?
Again, there is a wide range of topics that can fall into the self-reflection category. Much like you have many different areas of your life, there are many different areas to reflect on.
Some of the most common self-reflection question topics include:
- childhood memories
- mental health
- physical health
- routines and daily life
- work
- family relationships
- friendships
- romantic relationships
- self-care
- dreams/goals
- past trauma
- bad habits
- interests
- personal wellness and happiness
All of these are life topics that can (and should!) be explored to better understand yourself. We will be covering questions to ask yourself in nearly all of these topics today.
Who needs to ask self-reflection questions?
Anybody and everybody!
Self-reflection questions, much like journaling or therapy, are just another tool to care for yourself.
Self-reflection is simply a means to understand yourself better so you can live a happier and more fulfilled life!
Questions on self-reflection really force you to dig deep and figure out everything about yourself. This, in turn, offers you the ability to better cater to your needs.
In a long-winded way, all I am trying to say is that self-reflection is a form of self-care that anyone can benefit from!
Why is Self-Reflection Important?
This leads me to my next important point: the purpose of self-reflection!
Self-reflection is really important for living a happy, healthy, and fulfilled life.
As human beings, we have thousands of thoughts every day. Of course, it’s nearly impossible to unpack ALL of those thoughts.
But, it is important to unpack the big ones.
Our thoughts control a lot of our life. Instead of letting our thoughts control us, some introspection and self-reflection can help us learn how to take charge of our own minds and, thus, our own life!
This book on controlling our thoughts really taught me the importance of this concept. This is when I began to really pursue some deep inner work and self-reflection.
The difference I have noticed since beginning true self-reflection is remarkable.
This is something I wish all people could experience… hence why I’m writing a full article on it.
100 Self-Reflection Questions
Now that we’ve broken down all the benefits, tips, and reasons for self-reflection, we can actually get into the specific questions for self-reflection.
Since there are so many different ways to self-reflect, let’s break them down into some categories.
We will be covering self-reflection questions about your:
- past
- current habits
- future
- mental health
- physical health
- relationships
- work-life
Self-Reflection Questions for Your Past
- What is your first memory?
- What was your relationship like with your parents growing up?
- Do you have any blatant childhood trauma that comes to mind?
- What is something you have overcome?
- What are you most proud of?
- When was the happiest time in your life? Write about it in detail.
- What was the best present you’ve ever received? Why was it so meaningful?
- Would you change anything about your past if you could? Why or why not?
- What is the most valuable life lesson you’ve been taught? How did you learn it?
- Who did you spend the most time with as a child? What was that relationship like then? How is it now?
- Write a letter to your past self… what would you want to say?
- What goals have you accomplished already? What do you have left to accomplish? Do you still want those same things?
- When did you most down/lost? Why? How did you overcome it? If current, how do you plan to overcome it?
- Do you still maintain many relationships from childhood/your past? Are they healthy? What value do they bring?
- What’s your favorite memory? Why?
Self-Reflection Questions for Right Now
- Are you happy? Why? Why not?
- What challenges are you currently facing?
- Do you have a solid, consistent routine? Do you like it?
- What changes do you want to make in your life right now? Where do you need to work?
- What keeps you up at night?
- Who are the three closest people to you right now? Describe those relationships.
- What is your favorite hobby?
- When do you feel most alive? Do you make time for that time/thing/place often?
- What is something recent that you are proud of? Why?
- What is something recent that you are ashamed of? Why?
- Do you feel content with life?
- What areas of your life feel like they need some improvement? Work? Home? Health? Etc.
- What’s your first thought when you wake up?
- Where do you spend most of your time? What are you doing? Do you enjoy it?
- Where do you feel out of control in your life? Do you seek control there? If so, how do you think you could gain control?
Self-Reflection Questions for Your Future
- Ideally, where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
RELATED POST: 101 Goals for 1001 Days
- What goals do you hope to achieve?
- What is on your bucket list? Make one.
- If today was your last day, would you be happy with it? How could you begin living like it was your last day on Earth?
- What do you hope to move on from in the future?
- What does your dream home look like? If it is your current home, how would you like to improve it?
- Write about your ideal version of “success”. What does it look like? How can you get there?
- What is a dream vacation you want to take?
- Write a letter to your future self. What would you want to know? Anything you’d want to say?
- How do you feel about growing older? Why?
- What do you want to be known for?
- How do you plan to reach your goals? Realistically, what is your plan for how to achieve your goals?
- What habits do you want your future self to have?
- What do you hope a typical day looks like for your future self?
Self-Reflection Questions for Mental Health
- How do you care for your mental health currently?
- Do you practice any self-care?
- When do you feel happiest? How can you incorporate that more into your everyday schedule?
- Do you ever have full self-care days or self-care nights? Plan one and schedule it.
- What’s your favorite self-care activity? Why?
- What does self-love mean to you? Do you feel like you love yourself?
- Do you feel confident in yourself? Why or why not? If not, what needs to be worked on to be able to carry yourself with confidence?
- How can you improve your mental health right now?
- Do you feel run down? Where do you feel you’re lacking motivation? How could you improve that?
- What do you love about your life?
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Self-Reflection Questions for Physical Health
- How much sleep are you getting? Is that how much sleep you NEED?
- How is your gut health? Do you feel uncomfortable after you eat?
- What foods make you feel good? What foods make you feel poorly?
- How are you active? Do you enjoy moving your body in that way?
- What is your favorite form of physical activity?
- How much water do you need in a day? Do you drink that much?
- Do you make time for a relaxing shower at least 3-4 times a week?
- Have you felt exhausted, run-down, unmotivated, etc. recently? Why do you think? How can you help fix that?
- Do you routinely buy healthy foods that make you feel good? Develop a healthy and balanced grocery list. Meal plan if you feel that it would be helpful.
- Is your environment clean? Dust can affect your health more than you realize.
Self-Reflection Questions for Relationships
- Do you feel well-connected with others?
- Do you have a romantic relationship going? If so, does it feel healthy? If not, do you want one?
- Are you more of an introvert or extrovert?
- What relationship(s) matter to you the most? Why?
- What do you think makes a good friend? Describe in detail.
- Do you consider yourself a good friend?
- How do you show love to others?
- What is your favorite way others can show love to you?
- What is your love language? (The Mastery of Love is a book on love that really changed my life. Highly recommend you are reading it if you are pursuing relationship self-reflection.)
- Do you experience social anxiety? What makes it feel worse? What makes it manageable?
- Who are you closest to in your immediate family?
- What relationships have distance? What made them distant?
- Are there any relationships you would like to rekindle? How could you do that?
- What characteristics make a good romantic partner?
- Who do you enjoy being around the most? What makes you want to be around them?
- Do you have any toxic relationships in your life? Why are they toxic? Do you plan to remove them? How?
- Who do you look up to the most? Why?
- Do you think people look up to you? Who? Are you are good role model? Why?
- Do you value the opinions of others? Why or why not?
- How do you feel in social settings? Describe in detail.
Self-Reflection Questions for Work
- Do you like your job? Why or why not?
- What would your dream job look like?
- Do you feel passionate about your work?
- What are your goals for your career?
- What have you learned through work? How did you learn these lessons?
- What is your relationship like with coworkers?
- Do you feel valued, respected, and appreciated at work?
- How do you feel about your work/life balance? How could it be improved?
- Where do you see yourself in your career in 5 years?
- What unique skills do you bring to your work?
- How do you stay motivated when you are in a slump?
- Is your job fulfilling? Why or why not?
- Why did you choose this job? Do you feel happy or like you are settling?
- What accomplishments are you most proud of in your work?
- How could you make work more enjoyable?
How to Answer Self-Reflection Questions: 5 Simple Tips
When you are just beginning self-reflection, tackling the big questions can be intimidating. These 5 tips for self-reflection questions will help guide you on your self-discovery journey!
1. Get a Self-Reflection Journal
Having a journal dedicated just to self-reflection is a MUST.
A guided journal can be really great as you begin. Sometimes that concise layout is just the push you need to get started.
Personally, as someone who has been pursuing self-reflection for a while now, I like to just use a plain journal and free-write my answers.
But, as a stationery junkie, I, of course, love to find journals that reflect the content inside of them.
I am absolutely obsessed with using a guided journal. I’ve hand-created a perfect printable journal for daily self-reflection just for this!
Having a journal dedicated to self-reflection helps keep all your thoughts together in one place.
It also helps to hold you accountable. Setting up a routine with the same journal every time helps create good daily habits for self-reflection.
2. Set Aside Time to Reflect
Self-reflection takes time! If you want to do it right, it is not a 30-second process.
My best self-reflection sessions come from taking some time to really get into it.
It doesn’t have to be hours long… a simple 10 or 15-minute self-reflection session will do the trick.
As long as you are intentional with setting away some time for reflection, you can be successful.
3. Set the Scene
Much like the amount of time you spend on self-reflection, this is a bit of a personal preference.
I personally love to grab my journal, cuddle up in a cozy blanket, light a comforting candle, and really set the scene for my self-reflection process.
Setting the scene can help prep your mind and body, getting you ready to really dive deep into self-reflection.
4. Have No Expectations
This tip is SO important for self-reflection.
To really reflect, you NEED to allow your thoughts to flow freely. Asking yourself questions for self-reflection can feel intimidating. It’s normal to set expectations for yourself and your answers.
I have found that actually only hinders the process.
To get the most out of your questions for reflection, freewriting seems to be the best bet.
No pressure, no expectations, no limitations, no rules.
That is the best way to truly uncover yourself through reflection questions.
5. Be Honest with Your Self-Reflection
One major benefit of self-reflection journaling questions is that your reflections can remain 100% personal and confidential. No one else needs to read or see them.
This makes it a lot easier to be honest with yourself.
To be blunt, you won’t get anything out of self-reflection if you aren’t honest.
Drop the facade and just be real. You will have much more success in your personal growth.
There you have 100 questions for deep self-reflection.
Self-reflection can be tough to pursue without any initial guidance or motivation. Hopefully, these questions help to get you started on your self-reflection journey.
As humans who are ever-evolving and growing, it is important to take time out of our busy lives to reflect.
I hope this post was a good reminder of how you can do that.
Start integrating these self-reflection questions into your life and watch your relationship with yourself grow.
Dori says
I can see myself using these prompts to start journaling.
Delaney says
So glad you enjoyed!