enesevaatlus

Enesevaatlus is the Estonian term for self-observation or self-examination. It refers to the deliberate attention to one’s own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in order to gain self-awareness and guide personal or professional development. The word combines enese meaning “self” and vaatlus meaning “observation.”

In practice, enesevaatlus is used in psychology, education, and self-help. Common methods include journaling or keeping a thought diary, structured self-monitoring after activities, and mindfulness-based observation of internal experiences. In educational settings, students may reflect on learning strategies, study habits, and progress. In clinical and counseling contexts, enesevaatlus can support cognitive-behavioural techniques by helping clients identify automatic thoughts and behavioural patterns.

Benefits of enesevaatlus include greater self-awareness, improved emotion regulation, and more deliberate decision-making. Criticisms include the subjectivity of self-reports, potential bias, and the risk of rumination if practiced without guidance. It is not a diagnostic tool and is most effective when integrated into broader therapeutic or educational frameworks.

See also: self-monitoring, mindfulness, introspection.