introspective
Given to self-analysis
Introspective describes a tendency to examine one's own thoughts, feelings, and mental processes.
An introspective person spends time in self-reflection rather than focusing outward on the world or other people.
The word often carries positive connotations of depth and self-awareness, though it can shade toward excessive self-absorption.
She became more introspective after the breakup.
Music, writing, or art may be called introspective when it explores the creator's inner life rather than external events.
Restrained in manner
- quietLacking in sound
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- solitaryExisting alone, apart
- withdrawnEmotionally distant, disengaged
inward-turning · reclusive · reticent · guarded · thoughtful · pensive · retiring · self-contained
Awareness of the present
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- quietudeState of calm stillness
- solitudeState of being alone
- centeringPositioning at midpoint
presence · awareness · breathing · silence · tranquility · serenity · inner-peace · calm
Examining one's own mind
- self-awarenessInsight into one's psyche
- self-examinationScrutiny of one's thoughts
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
pondering · contemplation · self-scrutiny · self-questioning · self-analysis · metacognition · self-observation · self-inquiry
Awareness of one's own mind
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- subconsciousBelow conscious awareness
- unconsciousNot awake or aware
- psychoanalyticOf unconscious-focused therapy
therapeutic · self-concept · projection · repression · Jungian · Freudian · ego · interiority
Relating to existence itself
- SocraticRelating to elenctic inquiry
- self-knowledgeUnderstanding of oneself
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
Cartesian · phenomenological · epistemological · ontological · stoic · humanistic · dialectical · metaphysical
reserved
Restrained in manner
withdrawn · inward-turning · reclusive · reticent · guarded · thoughtful · pensive · retiring · self-contained · independent
mindfulness
Awareness of the present
centering · presence · awareness · breathing · silence · tranquility · serenity · inner-peace · calm · zen
self-reflection
Examining one's own mind
- self-awarenessInsight into one's psyche
- self-examinationScrutiny of one's thoughts
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
rumination · pondering · contemplation · self-scrutiny · self-questioning · self-analysis · metacognition · self-observation · self-inquiry · cogitation
self-understanding
Awareness of one's own mind
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- subconsciousBelow conscious awareness
- unconsciousNot awake or aware
psychoanalytic · therapeutic · self-concept · projection · repression · Jungian · Freudian · ego · interiority · depth-psychology
existential
Relating to existence itself
- SocraticRelating to elenctic inquiry
- self-knowledgeUnderstanding of oneself
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
questioning · Cartesian · phenomenological · epistemological · ontological · stoic · humanistic · dialectical · metaphysical · hermeneutic
- contemplativecontemplative, reflective, pensive, meditative, mindful
- introvertsshy, reserved, loner, withdrawn, hermit
- Byronic Herobrooding, tormented, mysterious, rebellious, passionate
- daydreamingdaydreaming, daydreams, fantasies, deep in thought, musings
- relaxedcalm, serene, peaceful, mellow, easygoing
- writing stylesformal, informal, minimalism, maximalism, concise
introspectiveextroverted
Energized by social interaction
action-oriented · outward-looking · outgoing · observant · externalized
introspectiveunintrospective
Not self-examining
unreflective · unexamined · unreflecting · superficial · shallow
introspectivegregarious
Fond of companionship
outgoing · sociable · unreserved · extrovert · expressive
introspection, introspectively, introspections, introspecting, introspectiveness