Major
Health Studies
Minor(s)
Spanish
Date
5-2024
Abstract
Research suggests that self-reflection, which includes practices like journaling and personal narrative writing, can be a powerful tool for improving mental and emotional well-being. As a health studies major who will be pursuing a graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling, I wanted to learn about self-reflection and its impact on holistic well-being. Therefore, I developed a three-phase project to accomplish this. Phase 1 entailed a careful literature analysis of peer-reviewed research exploring the benefits of self-reflection. These studies discuss the importance of knowing and expressing oneself. Sources indicate that in writing about demanding times, individuals can find closure, and in writing about jovial times, individuals are actively practicing gratitude. In Phase 2, after completing my research paper, I prepared to write my own reflection by reading five memoirs and reviewing the authors’ styles. Reading about others, especially young adults, helped me find my voice. For Phase 3, I wrote a partial memoir, encapsulating some of my most pivotal life experiences thus far. The purpose of my writing was to gain first-hand experience with self-reflection. Formatting familiar stories into a cohesive piece of writing allowed me to mull over how they have impacted my life in a mentally and emotionally grounding way. It has been a privilege to learn about the importance of these practices while appraising said research with my own writing. I encourage all readers to pursue self-reflective writing, and I am sure I will say the same to my patients one day.