Reflecting before Reacting

 When practicing mindfulness, you are granted an incredible chance to really, deeply consider things. This will prove to be highly beneficial when addressing one’s reactions.

A reaction is defined as an action performed or a feeling experienced in response to a situation or stimuli. Naturally, we are in a near constant state of reacting. Even when our eyes are closed and we are trying to sleep, we may get thoughts that cause a reaction within. 

There are people who really react naturally and without a form of filtering. They just experience and react with no point of consideration or reflecting. These are highly reactive people. And believe it or not, there can be people who practice mindfulness but are still highly reactive. Reactions can feel so subtle that people easily bypass any regulation of such. 

But, there is something to say about the people who do decide to regulate their reactions through the use of mindfulness. They experience something, they deeply consider how it makes them feel, they consider how it affects their being and life, and they contemplate how to move forward with those insights. 

Some things don’t require or aren’t worth a reaction. Other things benefit from a carefully considered and planned reaction as opposed to the knee-jerk, impulse reaction. In fact, most scenarios benefit from thinking before reacting as it a prevent further complications or trouble. 

When talking about how this process of reflection before reacting will, more often than not, improve the outcome, this technique is incredibly powerful in trying to create a good life. It allows for reactions to align with the intentions set. 

For example, if you are interviewing for your dream job but you realize you have forgotten a copy of your resume, a reaction may be to get nervous, admit you forgot it, or even try to figure out a way to print it quickly in a state of panic. However, when taking a moment to be mindful, you can contemplate whether you have a digital copy that you can email to the interviewer. You can think of a clever way to spin it in which you purposely did not bring it as you wanted to speak for your qualifications without it. You can take a breath and combat the nerves. 

Also, socially, it is highly beneficial as well. If someone says something rude or off-putting, it can make an impulse reaction of defensiveness or a shift in attitude. However, being mindful can allow a chance to navigate the interaction better. Maybe the person did not mean it to be rude or maybe they were trying to test how you’d respond. Take a few seconds to denounce the defensiveness and attitude, and respond back with something of optimism or an advantageous change of subject. This can allow another chance to figure out the person’s tone of voice and intentions. 

The more I have taken an active approach in regulating my actions, the more I have noticed its benefit. I highly recommend you trying it out for yourself!

- Dani 💙💚