reflecting on
Considering in retrospect
Reflecting on means thinking carefully about something, usually from the past.
The phrase suggests contemplation rather than quick consideration—dwelling on experiences, decisions, or meanings: reflecting on her years in the military, reflecting on what went wrong.
Unlike simply thinking about, reflecting on implies a deliberate pause to examine something more deeply.
- thinking aboutMentally focusing on
- mulling overThinking carefully about
- ponderingThinking deeply about something
- deep thoughtIntense cognitive deliberation
- lost in thoughtDeeply mentally preoccupied
contemplating · muse · quiet contemplation · looking inward · rumination · retrospection · thinking back · deliberation · self-awareness · personal growth · taking stock · catharsis · looking back · hindsight · self-examination · meditation · consideration · judgment
- Thinking phrasesI think, I believe, in my opinion, I wonder, I suppose
- Hedging Wordsperhaps, maybe, possibly, arguably, supposedly
reflecting onshooting from the hip
Acting without deliberation
flying off the handle · blurting out · jumping to conclusions · winging it · improvising
reflecting onanticipating
Expecting something to happen
forecasting · looking forward to · envisioning · looking ahead to · projecting
reflecting onignoring
Deliberately not noticing
dismissing · disregarding · tuning out · blocking out · repressing
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