self reflective writing

self reflective writing

The Power of Self-Reflective Writing

1. The Importance of Self-Reflective Writing

Because an experience can often obscure accurate memory of an event, self-reflective writing is a very important step in the learning process. When faced with the task of writing a reflection of an event such as a medical incident, the writer often experiences a greater depth of thought about the event and its causes. Whether it be thoughts on what the writer believes to be true, or an analysis of a situation to determine its credibility, self-reflective writing provides a clear picture of what the writer thinks and feels about an event. Information and opinions are then analyzed so that effective conclusions can be drawn, resulting in identification of any changes that need to be made and development of future action plans. The structured nature of reflection helps the writer to better understand both the positive and negative aspects of an experience, leading to an improved knowledge and possibly a new perspective on an event. This clarity of understanding helps take knowledge into new situations, making reflective writing an invaluable tool for learning and development. Through continued use of self-reflection to aid in making decisions, taking reflective information into account to determine alternative actions, and reflecting on the outcomes of those actions, a life pattern can be developed. This can be seen as a structured way of problem-solving using past experience and knowledge. It is this feature that makes self-reflective writing one of the most valuable learning tools. Essentially, reflective writing is an immensely useful practice which makes the re-randomizing of wrong patterns less likely, as they are brought to light or discovered through reflection, aiding in the resolution or removal of the cause of the error. It is this feature that makes it a very useful tool for both casual and formal learning. For example, self-reflective writing is a highly effective means for casual learning through trying to understand and resolve a troubling event in one’s personal life.

2. Techniques for Effective Self-Reflection

There are many methods of exploring oneself through reflective writing. There are a few which are recommended to be more effective than others. For a writer to really immerse themselves in a frame of mind reflective of the event, it is recommended that the writer uses a psychological approach to the situation. Be part of a psychological phenomenon known as cognitive change which is a “conscious event that is noticed and controlled by the individual” or also known as “private self-consciousness, an internal, inward focused attention to one’s thoughts and feelings”, in order to truly understand what was going on in their mind. After using cognitive change, it is recommended that a writer takes on a “third person” personality. This is to make an example of someone who they admire or a higher authority in order to view their thoughts and feelings through that particular perspective. This method is very effective because if there is regret or negative feelings regarding the situation, they can convince themselves that it was out of character and learn from the event. This will result in higher self-esteem and confidence and a general increased feeling of well-being. A person by the name of David did this and found that following an exchange he felt was “grumpy and arrogant”, his alter ego was a friendly old man who he knows. This resulted in David having a chuckle at his own image of the old man tripping over and since then made a determined effort to change his ways and try to be more understanding in similar situations. Thirdly, a mind-mapping exercise can be a very useful step for a visual person. By jotting down thoughts and linking them to the end and start of chains of thought, the branches can help organize the events and thoughts for a clearer picture and some form of closure to the situation. Finally, the most classic method is to keep a reflective diary over a period of time for continuous exploration of the self.

3. Benefits of Regular Self-Reflective Writing

Writing requires a high degree of self-regulation, and the process of reflection can serve to both regulate and enhance performance in any domain. Experiences with the potential for learning are captured—those triumphs and tribulations that touch our hearts or challenge our minds. These captured experiences are the grist for the mill of reflection. Coming to understand a problem gives rise to a higher chance of resolving it in a satisfactory way. As a coach might guide a star athlete through visualization of the best possible performance, reflection can guide the enhancement of a specific skill or the use of a particular strategy, preparing the writer for the next time an opportunity is presented. By comparing a current with a former experience, and contrasting the attitudes and feelings present at each time, reflection can create a shift in perspective. An expansive or improved view of self most often results in increased self-efficacy and an enhanced self-concept.

The benefits of regular reflective journal writing are vast. Writing provides both the process and the product of reflection. The very action of writing, be it in the form of a word, a sentence, or a paragraph, triggers new thought. Each time the words hit the page, they firm up thoughts—clarifying the vague, giving substance to the formless, and holding the ephemeral in a steady grip. At the end of the session, the entry itself is an enduring artifact. It can be saved, re-read, and shared (whether to check the spelling and grammar, or to solicit the feedback of peers).

4. Overcoming Challenges in Self-Reflective Writing

For those who are already clear on what they want to reflect upon, or have a particular focus, learning logs or diaries may be appropriate. This can be done on paper or saved as documents on a computer, and each will have different benefits. Logging and diary writing can be left and returned to at sporadic times and thus allow reflection to fit around a busy schedule. The same is true for a platform that is accessible from the internet and may have added security and search functions. One of the best methods of reflection is discussion with peers, and many of the previous methods can be adapted to work with others.

The generation of random thoughts or ideas is a great starting point to begin reflection, with the focus on the thought and later looking at how it has been formed and why. The thoughts at this stage need to be loosely captured in a free and flowing manner. Concept mapping can be limiting and may attempt to set the ideas in the same over-structured manner that is being moved away from. Free writing, on the other hand, can take a number of forms but the aim is to write continuously for a short period of time focusing on a particular issue or idea. This can be done on paper, a whiteboard, or increase in interactivity by first recording thoughts using a microphone.

The final brainstorming and mind mapping stages are ideal for a quick fire round of pen twirling, card shuffling or any other activity known to spark ideas, including physical exercise. The shift from a linear to a non-linear mindset can help free the mind and find new solutions to problems. Each method of idea generation has its uses and ideal situations – one approach is not better than any other and all should be seen as tools in the belt. When the well of inspiration runs dry, it is time to file the ideas away and move onto the next step.

5. Applying Self-Reflective Writing to Personal Growth

One promising aspect of self-reflective writing is the potential for inner insight and growth derived from the writing experience. Taking advantage of self-reflective writing’s ability to improve self-knowledge, learners can even take this tool into the realm of personal discovery. The needs may be the pursuit of a clearer sense of personal identity, or of who and what one wants to be. Alternatively, one may want to better understand an issue, experience, or position in one’s life. For personal growth to occur, there must be a personal catalyst, and self-reflective writing can be just that. The following example highlights a college student’s use of self-reflective writing in an assignment to better understand a particular psychological construct. We then offer some strategies in guiding self-reflective writing toward personal growth. Stephen was introduced to self-reflective writing when his developmental psychology instructor assigned an open-ended written assignment for the purpose of enhancing critical thinking. The instructor recommended that to reach a deeper understanding of the assignment’s content, students should employ self-reflective writing. Stephen chose a theory on career development as the writing topic and also a personal insight as learning criterion. He described the experience as follows.