Honest Reflection
Honest Reflection
True reflection is not about being tough on yourself or dwelling on your mistakes. It is about
hearing both your strengths and weaknesses openly, aiming to learn and grow from them while remaining
serene and truthful. According to Dewey, reflection is an “active, persistent
and careful consideration” of things that we have thought and done
Expressing our emotions in the field of care and social work helps us, as we learn more about
ourselves, gain confidence, and take on more responsibilities in our roles
Consider social media
and envy, or not measuring up. Studies demonstrate that mental illness can occur
when social media updates bring about unhealthy comparisons
When staff think about working frequently, they are better able to understand the people they are concerned about. A deeper understanding enables care workers to care more and handle stress better,
decreasing burnout and compassion fatigue. When staff can discuss key
matters freely, without fear of judgment, they are better able to grow,
develop, and remain committed to caring about people in an individual,
compassionate fashion
Reflective Model:
Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle
One of the most
well-known reflection models within health and social care is Gibbs' Reflective
Cycle. Gibbs' Reflective Cycle was initially published in 1988. Gibbs' model
divides reflection into six stages:
It promotes thoughtful
and balanced thinking that considers results and emotions. Agencies responsible
for care, such as the NHS, will also recommend Gibbs' model because it links
learning about emotions to balanced thinking and helps make things better in
the long run
Personal Reflection
Using Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle
During one of my late shifts at one of my homes, I had to visit a young person who had spent most of the day in their room. I gently knocked and entered, but they immediately said, “I do not want to talk right now. Just leave me alone.” This was highly unusual for them, as they are usually bubbly and talkative, which made me feel concerned. I was not sure whether I should leave them alone or stay and ask them questions to check on them.
I did feel anxious,
uncertain, and somewhat helpless. Part of me considered just leaving them
alone, but I cared about them deeply.
I
indicated that I cared by being present for them, but not overwhelming them. I
ought to have sought assistance sooner from someone more experienced in my
office. Though I did not perceive signs of warning immediately, perhaps changes
in their conduct could have spelt a more severe issue for the youth. For one,
that individual could have done something that truly injured them.
What transpired
revealed that teens sometimes push away. It does not mean that they need no one; it merely indicates that they feel they want to be alone or handle
intense sensations independently. It also taught us that they should have their
independence, but still, they should remain protected. By Gibbs’ Cycle, I
reflected on my doubts and found that merely being there, even when one
person is not speaking, will demonstrate care and bring about solace
I realised that it is absolutely fine to feel nervous in tough situations because that indicates that I care about performing well. I also realised that I need to speak, obviously, when communicating and seek guidance when I'm unsure. From here on, I will respectfully remind someone that I'm there for them and immediately speak to my head of year or other experienced staff. I will continue to work towards gaining trust amongst the young people I support so that they feel free to approach me when they are in need. Finally, I have also realised that, good or bad, each moment will provide us with an opportunity to be professional, kind, and confident.
References
Brookfield, S., 2020. The
CPD Standards Office. [Online]
Available at: https://www.cpdstandards.com/what-is-reflective-practice/
[Accessed 7 July 2025].
Firth, A., 2023. The Impact of Social Media on Mental
Health. [Online]
Available at: https://mentalhealth-uk.org/blog/the-impact-of-social-media-on-mental-health/
[Accessed 7 July 2025].
Maclean, C., 2022. Why Reflective Practice is Important
in Care. [Online]
Available at: https://socialcare.wales/resources/reflective-practice
[Accessed 7 July 2025].
NHS Education for Scotland, 2021. Gibbs’ Reflective
Cycle. [Online]
Available at: https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/20477/reflective-practice/reflective-cycle
[Accessed 7 July 2025].
Skills for Care, 2023. Reflective Practice in Adult
Social Care. [Online]
Available at: https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/
[Accessed 7 July 2025].
Wilkins, M., 2021. Balancing Professional Boundaries in
Youth Work. [Online]
Available at: https://www.nya.org.uk/resource/setting-professional-boundaries/
[Accessed 7 July 2025].
I enjoyed reading your blog, it showed honest reflection and emotional awareness, with the ability to explore your feelings and actions. I thought your real life example demonstrated how reflection and the use of Gibbs Reflective Cycle can improve trust, mental health awareness and care with the service user.
ReplyDeleteHowever the blog would benefit from better grammar and sentence structure, this would create better flow. Although you mentioned Gibbs , i think a clearer explanation of each stage was needed. The reflection could have been strengthened further by linking it to better care and mental health..
Jane Wouhra
-You clearly understand your feelings and actions, showing honesty and a commitment to growth.
ReplyDelete- could have added a brief conclusion to summarise everything
You show a solid understanding of honest reflection - accepting both strengths and weaknesses without being too harsh on yourself. Your grip of self-awareness and learning from experience comes through clearly.
ReplyDeleteThe narrative demonstrates sincere engagement with the principles of honest reflection and applies Gibbs’ Cycle meaningfully, particularly in showing emotional vulnerability and learning. However, some phrasing (e.g., “just leave me alone,” “spelt a more severe issue”) could be more formal or precise for academic writing. The transition between the general discussion on reflection and the personal scenario could be made smoother for better cohesion. Referenced sources (e.g., Brookfield, NHS, Wilkins) are mentioned, but would benefit from deeper theoretical connection — especially in linking reflection to practice improvement. Adding a short Conclusion or summary of personal and professional growth would help close the piece effectively. Also, ensure a reference list is included in Harvard style for academic completeness
ReplyDelete