Awareness is a precondition for change. If we are not aware of what is going on, we cannot change it. To have more awareness, we need a toolbox of different signals that tells us what is going on. The more signals we can tune into, the more will be our awareness.
Everything in the body, mind and surroundings can be used to tune in more deeply. The pitch of your voice, the depth of your breath, your heart rate, your choice of words, the slant of your writing, the pace of your walk, what you are paying attention to… literally everything.
For example, when my mind spins a lot, I’m likely to overdraw on my energy reserves and get fatigued. Since the mind is spinning, it is difficult for me to tell what is happening. But what I have found is that my talking speed is a good indicator of this state. Now, if I find myself talking too fast, I try to relax more to prevent fatigue. Tuning into the mind directly is not always possible, but noticing my talking speed helps me identify what is happening and take corrective action.
Another example. If I find myself getting annoyed at small things, I have learnt over time that it is a good sign of hunger or fatigue. Noticing things like this has been very helpful with my relationship. I can just tell my partner, “Hey. Look, I’m probably hangry or tired. It has nothing to do with you. I’m sorry for being cranky.”
So pay more attention to your body, mind and surroundings. Develop your own toolbox of signals that help you live a more enjoyable life.