Self-awareness is the cornerstone of emotional intelligence and an essential skill for navigating the social complexity of adolescence. It is defined as a young person’s ability to identify and understand their own internal states: their emotions, values, motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. For adolescents experiencing exclusion, this lack of internal clarity can be paralysing; they may overreact to mild criticism because they are unaware of their own weaknesses, or they may pursue goals that are not aligned with their values, leading to frustration.
The “Tu Mejor Versión” (Your Best Version) project uses dynamics to guide young people in identifying emotional and behavioural patterns. When a young person understands why they feel anxious in group situations or what triggers their anger, they can anticipate these reactions and communicate them preventively. This ability to communicate authentically and honestly is highly valued in friendships and is the antithesis of the social camouflage that excluded young people often attempt.
In addition, self-awareness facilitates decision-making that is consistent with personal identity. By knowing their values, adolescents are less susceptible to peer pressure to engage in risky behaviours that could lead to further marginalisation (such as substance use or vandalism). Recognising their individual talents allows young people to focus their contributions to the group, moving from being passive recipients to active contributors. Ultimately, self-awareness transforms uncertainty about identity into social confidence and provides a stable foundation from which adolescents can interact and become integrated into the community.
Reference: Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. Bantam Books.