We tend to think of being self aware as a good thing. Understanding the ramifications and consequences of our actions near or at the time that we do them would seem to be beneficial to all of us. But it’s not.
We become worried about looking stupid. We become worried about looking smart. We become worried that no one will ask us the question we so desperately want to answer.
We become worried about being ourselves. Sure, self reflection (self awareness after that fact) isn’t a bad thing, but if it’s constantly done in the moment it ruins whatever the next moment could have been.
The very act of observing a phenomena fundamentally changes it. We become self conscious. We play out scenarios in our head that couldn’t possibly happen. We pretend we can predict the future and attempt to act accordingly.
But we forget to be ourselves in the present. We sacrifice the one and only time we actually live, which is right now.
Stop it.
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